Agenda and minutes

To note that Councillor S.Markiewicz was appointed Chairman of the Board for the 2018/19 municipal year at the Annual Council meeting on 21 May 2018.

It was noted that Councillor S.Markiewicz was appointed Chairman of the Board for the 2018/19 municipal year at the Annual Council meeting on 21 May 2018.

To note any substitution of Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22.

The following substitution of a Panel Member had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules 19-22:-

Councillor G.Hayes for Councillor J.Fitzpatrick.

To note any apologies.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J.Fitzpatrick.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2018 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) detailing the applications for Small Community Grants.

Members received a report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) which detailed the applications that had been received for Small Community Grants.

Small Community Grants were limited to a maximum of £2,000 per application and there was £39,000 in total available during the financial year 2018/19 to be awarded. 

The Board noted that thirteen applications totalling £22,569 had been received for the first round of Small Community Grants for 2018/19. The second round of funding would be open in September 2018 and would close in December prior to the Grants Board in January 2019. 

Members subsequently agreed which applications for Small Community Grants met the Council’s priorities and criteria, and if so how much they would each receive:

11^th Welwyn Garden City Guides

An application had been received for the amount of £646.32 towards the rental of a Council garage used to store camping equipment for camping holidays.

Members considered it to be a good application as the activities were empowering for young women from all backgrounds.

AGREED a grant of £646.32 (subject to the understanding that in the future the organisation would need to evidence how they would raise money for the projects in order to support their request for storage).

Brookmans Park School PTA

An application had been received for the amount of £2,000 towards replacing the lights and sound system in the school hall.

Members commented that they were unable to agree the grant as it was felt that the beneficiaries of the project would be a small section of the community and mainly just those in attendance at the school. Members also commented that if the PA system was portable and could be hired by the community that a future application might be considered. Members advised that the organisation might wish to approach their Hertfordshire County Councillor in the future.

REFUSED the application.

Friends of Harwood Hill

An application had been received for the amount of £2,000 towards new furniture and furnishings in a new library building including an outdoor reading area.

Members expressed the view that the project would benefit the school only and not the wider community.  Members suggested that the organisation might wish to approach their local Hertfordshire Country Councillor for funding. It was also noted that the application details within the budget were not accurate.

REFUSED the application.

Groundwork East

An application had been received for the amount of £1,793 towards supporting the Youth Council in holding an event for young carers.

Members supported the application agreeing that it would support young carers in the community and contribute to mental health and wellbeing.

AGREED a grant of £1,793.

Hertfordshire Action on Disability

An application had been received for the amount of £2,000 for an Occupational Therapist to carry out twice-weekly assessments for over six months, for specialist seating and bed products. 

Members supported the application because the scheme would help those with disabilities and noted that there was high demand for the service.  It was acknowledged that the charity was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.