Agenda item

To consider the report setting out a summary of the applications received during Round Two of the Youth Action Grants.

Members received a report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities), which detailed the applications received for Round Two of the Youth Action Grants.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered a report on the link between youth provision and anti-social behaviour at their meeting of the 28 July 2020.

 

One of the recommendations was to allocate £20,000 to be distributed via the Grants Board to help support voluntary and charitable organisations who provide services and activities for young people. This was agreed by Cabinet and the amount was allocated to the Youth Action Fund for 2021.

 

In the first round of Youth Action Grants in February 2021 the Grants Board awarded a total of £3,940, leaving a total of £16,060 available to be distributed during round two of the Youth Action Grants fund.

 

Youth Action Grants were limited to a maximum of £2,000 per application, however the Board is able to increase this should they deem it appropriate. In total £18,749.37 had been applied for in this round of funding for the Youth Action Grant.  This is £2,689.37 in excess of the funds available.

 

The Board noted that it was not always possible to award the applicant the full 100% requested. Clarification was sought on utilisation of funds and any reserves being carried forward, which the Officer explained: that this round two was the final round for the Youth Action Grants fund.

 

Youth Action Grants Round Two

 

Chancellor’s School

 

Chancellor’s School had submitted an application for a grant of £1985 to cover expenses relating to the Music department and buying new instruments.

 

Members supported the application in principle but commented that they were unable to agree the grant, as they felt that the project would not benefit the wider community and that financial assistance could be sought from other authorities/funds.

 

REFUSED the application.

 

DanceAid

 

DanceAid had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 to cover expenses relating to a family festival.

 

The Board supported that application but expressed concern in terms of the project being delivered on under a 50% of the initial grant request (funding being sought was £2,500). Further consideration was given to raising additional funding and safeguarding the project if there was to be another lockdown.  The timescales for delivering the event were taken into account.

 

AGREED a grant of £2000.

 

Dellcott Tennis

 

Dellcott Tennis had submitted an application for a grant of £1920 to cover expenses relating to Tennis coaching and Tennis equipment.

 

The Board welcomed the project and were in support of coaching but felt that it did not demonstrate how it would encourage take up from wider disadvantaged young people and how it would benefit the wider community.

 

REFUSED the application.

 

FK Dance

 

FK Dance were awarded £2,000 in round one of the Youth Action Grants in February 2021. Their application was for a tap dance project. Their application for this round is for a boys’ dance project.

 

FK Dance had submitted an application for a grant of £1400 to cover expenses for hiring dance teachers for boys and studio hire.

 

The Board thought that this was an excellent project for children and young people, as it would help to raise their confidence especially following lockdown.  Also help young males to express themselves in a safe environment.

 

AGREED a grant of £1400.

 

Forever Young

 

Forever Young had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 to cover expenses for staff members, equipment and the hire of Roe Hill.

 

The Board appreciated the excellent work of this organisation.

 

AGREED a grant of £2000.

 

Herts Outreach

 

Herts Outreach had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 to cover expenses for directly supporting children and young people within local schools. The funding will be used to fund Mental Health support sessions for 40 children across 24 weeks.

 

The Board felt that the organisation provided a vital service within the community.

 

AGREED a grant of £2000.

 

North Mymms Youth Project

 

Councillor T .Travell had declared an interest on this item and took no part in the discussions.

 

North Mymms Youth Project had submitted an application for a grant of £1486 to cover expenses for a project that allow young people to meet friends in a safe place and learn new skills and become responsible members of the local community.

 

Members supported the application, as it provided building life skills, socialising in a safe place and promoted inclusion.

 

AGREED a grant of £1486.

 

One YMCA

 

One YMCA had submitted an application for a grant of £1958.37 to cover expenses for room hire and safety equipment for Youth Girls Self Defence Workshops in Welwyn and Hatfield.

 

The Board felt that it was important for girls to have confidence in going out and feeling safe in their environment.  It was suggested that if a similar application was presented to this Board to support boys, the Board should ruminate comparable funding.

 

AGREED a grant of £1958.37.

 

Panshanger Football Club

 

Panshanger Football Club had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 to cover football kits and training kits for the club.

 

The Board supported the application as it encouraged an active lifestyle.

 

AGREED a grant of £2000.

 

WGC Football Club

 

Welwyn Garden City Football Club had submitted an application for a grant of £2000 to cover playing kits, playing pitches and training hire to help facilitate the new girls under 18 team.

 

The Board welcomed the application, as it encouraged girls from different communities to participate.

 

AGREED a grant of £2000.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Youth Action Grants should be paid as follows:

 

Organisation	Amount Sought (£)	Amount Granted (£)
Chancellor’s School	£1985	0
DanceAid	£2000	£2000
Dellcott Tennis	£1920	0
FK Dance	£1400	£1400
Forever Young	£2000	£2000
Herts Outreach	£2000	£2000
North Mymms Youth Project	£1486	£1486
One YMCA	£1958.37	£1958.37
Panshanger Football Club	£2000	£2000
WGC Football Club	£2000	£2000
Total Grants Awarded		£14844.37