Agenda item

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 received for Small Community Grants 2021/22 – Round One

 

 

£50,000 was available in total during the financial year 2021/22 to be awarded through the grants process. The Board was asked to consider bids in the first round of funding for the Small Community Grants. A second round of funding would be open later in 2021.

In total, £20, 202 has been applied for across 11 applications in the first round of funding for the Small Community Grant Applications.

 

11^th Girl Guides --- £2, 000

Project aimed at providing a well-balanced activity including fun, friendship, and challenges for 30 girls aged 7-11 following the relaxation of Covid-19 rules & regulations and the return of in-person sessions.

 

The following points were noted:

 

• The application referred to a number of Girl Guide groups who would benefit from the project
• Even with the absence of in person meeting, subs were still having to be paid and groups were having to contribute to central Girl Guiding costs
• The groups were located in areas where many families had suffered financially from the pandemic, either through reduced income or redundancies

 

AGREED a grant of £2, 000

 

Chancellors --- £2, 000

Project aimed at improving the mental health of the students attending the school by using music which can help manage emotions, build confidence, and explore solutions to problems. The money will be used to purchase a set of 30 Djembe African hand drums and 2 Dun Dun Bass drums.

 

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members thought the initiative had significant merit, in particular the aim to expose children to more diverse music and the project’s focus on mental health

·       However, the application failed to show how the project would benefit the wider community, outside of the pupils of the school

·       Given that the project was centred around areas which were the responsibility of Hertfordshire County Council (education and mental health), Members concluded that this project may be more successful in seeking funding from HCC and Officers should provide this feedback

·       Furthermore, Members noted that the guidelines on what type of projects the Council would likely support was clear, and Officers should take the opportunity to emphasise those guidelines to the school when providing feedback

 

 

REJECTED

 

DanceAid --- £2, 000

Project aimed at facilitating the ‘Party in the Paddock Family Festival’. Designed to help the mental and physical health and safe wellbeing of guests, team members and beneficiaries. There will be music and dance, alongside a multitude of activities throughout the afternoon- evening event.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members noted that the very same project had already received a £2,000 grant from the Council. Should this application be successful then the Council would be funding 90% of the project, and providing double the upper limit of £2,000 for a single project

·       Whilst the address of the organisation and the festival was outside the Borough, it was very close and Members acknowledged that the Festival did serve Borough residents

·       Officers clarified that should the event not take place that the funds would need to be returned

 

REJECTED

 

Dellcott Tennis --- £2, 000

Project aimed at developing p the tennis club into a ‘community hub’ so that the club can appeal to people who do not use actively use the club to enhance their overall wellbeing.  The Dellcott Family Tennis Club (DTFC) wants to install an access system to the doors and refurbish the toilets. The DTFC also want to create an indoor table tennis space.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members acknowledged that the application writers had clearly taken on feedback from a previous unsuccessful application, with a greater emphasis on how the project would benefit the wider community and not just club members

·       Members appreciated the thought and presentation of the application and noted the bid was for only 20% of the overall project.

 

 

 

AGREED a grant of £2, 000

 

Forever Young --- £1, 962

Project aimed at promoting new mother wellbeing by utilising qualified Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainers. Over the summer, they would invite members to a 30-60 minute ‘Baby & Buggy’ walk starting and ending at the hall; for a light low-impact exercise enabling the mums to feel good in themselves.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members acknowledged the difficulties of first-time parents during the pandemic

·       Members considered whether future projects might seek to support fathers

·       The organisation had successful received funding in the past and used it to good effect, including helping young people in the borough

 

AGREED a grant of £1, 962

 

 

Hatfield Music --- £1, 980

Project aimed at hosting a festival, supporting the Education and Outreach Programme for the Hatfield House Chamber Music Festival, with an emphasis on musical outreach and enrichment to children and young people.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members were in agreement on the merit of the project

·       Members noted how after previous bids the client gave feedback on the money usage and benefits of the event.

 

AGREED a grant of £1, 980

 

 

 

 

Herts Phoenix --- £2, 000

Project aimed at upgrading the trackside hut and stores at Gosling Sports Park as part of a bigger project to improve the track and sporting facilities.

 

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members sought clarification on whether the application was seeking funding to undertake work which would be the responsibility of Better who manage the Gosling site

·       Members were supportive of the project on the provision that funding was used for assets which was the responsibility of the club

 

PENDING awaiting clarification

 

 

Interfaith --- £ 300

Project aimed at hosting monthly evening meetings, in person, on variety of topics and to incorporate social activities via shared meals, walks, celebrations and visiting different places of worship.

 

·       Members were supportive of the project

·       Member queried about why more funding was not requested

 

AGREED a grant of £300

 

WGC Community Garden --- £2, 000

Project aimed at creating an inclusive and creative community garden where residents would be invited to learn, share skills, grow fruit and vegetables whilst being in harmony with nature and enhancing the habitat for wildlife. The Grant would provide the basic start-up materials.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members welcomed the initiative

·       Cllr Holloway had been assisting the group with securing a suitable plot, with King Charles V playing fields identified as a possible site

·       Officers confirmed that should a site not be secured; the funding would need to be returned

 

AGREED a grant of £2, 000

 

 

 

WGC Lacrosse --- £1, 960

Project aimed at delivering part of Welwyn Warriors’ Covid recovery plan. The plan would raise awareness of the lacrosse team and recruit participants for by offering routes into playing through taster sessions to rebuild the senior playing strength.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members felt that the project was positive, and funding would be put to good use.

 

AGREED a grant of £1, 960

 

WGC Rugby --- £2, 000

Project aimed at upgrading the changing room facilities at the grounds so that they are more space for all ages and genders to get changed and shower comfortably going from 4 to 6 changing areas.

 

The following points were noted:

 

·       Members felt that the club was very much a community club

 

AGREED a grant of £2, 000

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Small Grants should be paid as follows (out of a budget £50,000):

 

Small Grants	Amount Sought (£)	Amount Granted (£)
11th Girl Guides	£2, 000	£2, 000
Chancellors	£2, 000	£0
DanceAid	£2, 000	£0
Dellcott Tennis	£2, 000	£2, 000
Forever Young	£1, 962	£1, 962
Hatfield Music	£1, 980	£1, 980
Herts Phoenix	£2, 000	£0
Interfaith	£300	£300
WGC Community Garden	£2, 000	£2, 000
WGC Lacrosse	£1, 960	£1, 960
WGC Rugby	£2, 000	£2, 000
Total	£20, 202	£14, 202