Agenda and minutes

Apologies for asbsence were received from Councillor Patsy Ellis and Councillor Sarah Trotter.  Late apologies were received from Councillor Nikki Manterfield.

Councillor Lee Steptoe declared an interest in application SKMP28 – Grantham College and left the meeting whilst the Board deliberated the application.

Councillor Ashley Baxter, Councillor Bridget Ley and Councillor Virgina Moran declared an interest in application SK2209 - St Guthlac’s PCC Market Deeping and left the meeting whilst the Board deliberated the application.

.

The minutes from the meeting held on 1 August 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED.

Councillor Tim Harrison then gave a brief update in respect of the funding application SKMP10, the community radio project and confirmed that the station was due to go live next month.  Test broadcasting was currently being undertaken and the station, which was on FM 97.2, had been received as far as Coningsby.  All advertising slots had already been sold and filled and the blanket coverage of the station was larger than expected with all presenter slots also being filled.   One Member asked if it was possible to see how many people listened to the station but that information was only available for those that accessed the station on-line.  Members of the Board noted the progress to date.

The Chairman asked how much funding remained to be allocated.  The Head of Economic Development and Inward Investment stated that roughly there was £1million left and this was split between the Main Programme £750,000 and the Rural Programme £250,000 but this depended upon the applications endorsed by the Board at the meeting.

Another Member of the Board asked how confident the Head of Economic Development and Inward Investment was that the whole pot of money would be allocated before the deadline. Following todays meeting and the applications before the Board there would be three quarters of a million pounds left.  There were projects in the pipeline and more proactive work was being undertaken to get the money spent.  The Head of Economic Development and Inward Investment was as optimistic as he could be that the money would be allocated within the next six months.

A question was asked about feasibility studies and funding for these studies. The Head of Economic Development and Inward Investment highlighted the funding remaining within each of the interventions and where the money pots could be vired across.

One Member referred to dialogue and correspondence that he had been having with a particular resident about an application to which the Assistant Director of Planning outlined the reasons why that particular application could not be progressed and that communication and guidance was still being offered to the resident.  

The Head of Economic Development and Inward Investment reminded the Board that between two and three sub groups as well as the Local Economic Forum reviewed all the applications and scored them before they came before the Board.  They had reviewed 18 applications of which 4 had been rejected. The funding applications went through a robust process before they came before the Board and the Board were reassured that the necessary background work had been undertaken.

One Member commented that the personal knowledge of a Member should also be taken into consideration.  A question was asked about the rejected applications and it was stated that the applications would have been rejected as they did not meet the required legal or scheme criteria.   It was for the Board to look at whether or not the applications for funding were Value for Money.   Further discussion on the rejected applications followed and it was stated that everyone got feedback in respect of their funding applications and were offered assistance to improve the bids summitted as far as possible.

It is likely that the Press and Public will be excluded during discussion of the the following items of business because of the likelihood that information that is exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed to them.

It was proposed and seconded that the press and public were excluded from the meeting at this point as it was likely that the information contained within the remaining items on the agenda were exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).  On being put to the vote this was AGREED.

SKMP25 – Harrowby United FC

Michael Dow the Interim UKSPF Officer was introduced to the Board.

SKMP25 – Harrowby United FC

Funding requested: £65,000

The application for funding was for the complete refurbishment of the changing rooms situated at Harrowby Lane, Grantham.  The changing rooms provided much needs sports facilities for grassroot adults and youth football.  The building had been vandalised in 2019 and had been closed since then.  Members were very supportive of the work undertaken by the club and on being put to the vote the funding application was unanimously ENDORSED.

The next three applications were taken from the Supplementary papers that had been distributed.

Lincolnshire County Council

Funding requested: £55,000

The funding request was for a project that aimed to highlight South Kesteven as a ‘film friendly’ destination, to draw film makers and production companies to explore and utilise the areas cinematic potential as well as serving as an extension to the ongoing set jetting and Greater Lincolnshire Film Office project.  Board Members welcomed the project with references being made to previous films such as Middlemarch, Bridgerton and The Crown that had used locations within South Kesteven within the films.    Some concern was expressed about the County’s involvement but it was stated that the spot light would be on South Kesteven.  On being put to the vote the funding request was ENDORSED.

SKMP28 – Grantham College

Funding requested: £43,000

The funding request was to continue a project to support those individuals living in South Kesteven who were furthest from the labour market, often with significant barriers to achieve their full potential and move them closer toward sustainable employment and/or into training, learning or volunteering opportunities.  Reference was made to the application from Steadfast Training Ltd which carried out similar work in the south of the district.  The application had been previously before the Board and work had been done with the applicants to address the concerns which the Board had expressed previously.   Councillor Lee Steptoe spoke in support of the project and the proposed use of the Earlesfield Community Centre. He then left the meeting and took no part in the decision.

(10:48 Councillor Steptoe left the meeting)

Further debate on the funding application followed with references being made to outputs and outcomes.  It was stated that the offer letter would outline clearly the expectations attached to the funding allocated.   On being put to the vote the application for funding was ENDORSED.

(10:53 Councillor Steptoe returned to the meeting)

SK-2197 – SKDC: Bourne, Stamford, Deepings and Grantham

Funding requested:  £36,000

The application had been deferred from the previous Board meeting until Town Council’s had been approached for their feedback.  The funding was for four community art projects and installations, one based in each town within the district.  The project was titled “Our Place, Our Art” and aimed to celebrate the identity, history and culture or each of the four towns.  Artists would be sought and allocated each town to collaborate with residents to create these permanent pieces of art.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

1.     RF - 1027 – The Side House Coffee Shop

2.     RF - 1029 – Wigman Holidays Millside

RF-1027 – The Side House Coffee Shop

Funding requested: £10,000

The project was for funding to have a purpose built kitchen unit to be able to bake cakes and traybake products. Members were informed that concern had been raised by both the Environmental Health and Planning Sections in respect of this application due to lack of toilet facilities and the commercial use of the container.  Although some Members liked the proposal the location was not viable and on being put to the vote the application for funding was REJECTED.

RF-1029 – Wigman Holidays Millside

Funding requested: £8,358

The funding requested was for assistance with the purchase of two further hot tubs.  Hot tubs were in demand and the additional tubs would boost booking numbers and value.  Concern was expressed by Members in respect of the possible amount of additional revenue that would be received due to the extra hot tubs and also to the local economy.  Members felt that the application for funding did not offer sufficient benefits to the community.  It was felt that the application form needed to be amended so that it was clear what benefits there were to the community. On being put to the vote the application for funding was REJECTED.

Returning

1.     SK-2173 – Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group/Deeping St James Parish Council

New

1.      SK-2204 – SKDC Arts Centres

2.      SK-2205 – South Kesteven District Council

3.      SK-2206 – Lindissi CIC

4.      SK-2208 – South Witham Parish Council

5.      SK-2209 – St Guthlac’s PCC Market Deeping

6.      SK-2213 – Heydour with Aisby & Oasby Parish Council

7.      SK-2214 – Fulbeck Sports & Social Club

SK-2173 – Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group/Deeping St James Parish Council

Funding requested: £21,600

The request for funding was for a new east-west path through John Eve Field (broadly following the public right of way, MaDe/4/2).  The new route would be created from a hardened all weather surface and would connect pedestrians via the Church and cemetery on the west and to the schools and supermarket on the east side of the park.   One Member mentioned that the field belonged to Market Deeping Town Council and there was no mention of the Town Council she also expressed concern about the proposed path being used as a cut through by motorcycles and pedal cyclists.  It was felt that no consultation had been carried out with the community and although Members were not fundamentally against the proposal, it was felt that more information and consultation needed to take place and on being put to the vote the application for funding was DEFERRED.

(11:38 – 11:50 meeting adjourned)

SK-2204 - SKDC Arts Centres

Funding requested:  £10,500

Funding had been requested for a project to bring “The Whale” an 18 metre spectacle created by the renowned Circo Rum Ba Ba to two locations: Deepings and Grantham.  The installation would be at each location for three days and offered a captivating, immersive experience for the public.  Members were supportive of the proposal although it was queried why Bourne and Stamford had not been included.  The request for funding was proposed, seconded and unanimously ENDORSED.  The Board did ask that both Bourne and Stamford be looked at to see if there were any suitable locations that could hold the installation.  It was also asked that if possible the dates when the Whale was in situ at the two different locations were not consecutive.

SK-2205 – South Kesteven District Council

Funding requested: £100,000

The project aimed to benefit all residents of South Kesteven that utilised the play areas.  Over recent years there had been occasions where equipment had been removed due to health and safety or they were beyond economic repair and not replaced.  It was proposed that the project would contribute towards replacing these pieces at the following locations Troughton Walk, South Witham, Empingham Road, Stamford, Arnoldfield, Grantham and College Close, Stamford.  Members were supportive of the project and on being put to the vote the application for funding was unanimously ENDORSED.

SK-2206 – Lindissi CIC

Funding requested: £6,500

The funding request was for an going project that brought the prehistory of South Kesteven to life.  The organisation had held a stone age festival in Wyndham Park, Grantham and a week of free family activities in the Earlesfield Estate which had been well received. Future events would bring family activities to the Harrowby Estate, an autumn fun day and a spring festival.   Members were supportive of the project and it was asked if the applicants could be contacted to consider doing projects in other areas within South Kesteven.  On being put to the vote  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

A request was made for an update on the West Deeping Village Hall application for a new flat roof.

The Interim UKSPF Manager gave the Board a brief background to his work and that he had been involved with the UKSPF since 2022.   As the timeframe for allocating funds was reducing, he asked if the Board would be willing to have meetings monthly until the end of the year.

It was agreed to hold meetings on the following dates:

Wednesday 30 October at 10:00am – Councillor Ashley Baxter gave his apologies as he would be unable to attend on this date.

Monday 16 December at 10:00am

It was agreed that a date in November would be confirmed outside the meeting but that Wednesdays be avoided if possible.

One Member asked if the UKSPF scheme would be replaced.  The UKSPF Officer replied that nothing had been confirmed to date.

The UKSPF Manager referred to an application that had been presented to the Board from the National Trust which had been endorsed but now they wished to change it from a revenue project to a capital project could a paper be submitted or did the Board require a new application.  It was felt by the Board that a new application should be submitted.

The meeting closed at 12:35.