Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor A. Dennis

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2021 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th June 2021 (previously circulated) were approved as a correct record.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.