Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ashley Baxter.  It was noted that Councillor Patsy Ellis would be late attending.

Councillor Tim Harrison declared an interest in item SK-CP-07, Skate Park – Wyndham Park. Councillor Harrison spoke in support of the item and answered questions from Members but left the meeting during deliberations.

Councillor Lee Steptoe declared an interest in the item for Grantham College and left the meeting during the discussion and took no part in the decision.

Councillor Harrish Bisnauthsing declared an interest in respect of item REPF-01, Stamford Indoors Bowls – Solar Energy as he was familiar with the club.

A decision on the minutes was deferred from the meeting held on 7 July 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2025, which had been deferred from the last meeting of the Board, were proposed, seconded and AGREED.

The minutes from the meeting held on 7 July 2025 were proposed, seconded and AGREED. 

Comments were made in respect of the tense that the minutes were written in particularly when referring to organisations as the minutes inferred that an organisation was no longer operating which was untrue.  It was confirmed that minutes were always written in the past tense, and the wording when referring to organisations would be addressed.  Further comments were made about grammatical errors within the minutes and it was stated that these would be amended accordingly.   

The Chairman indicated that the supplementary papers in respect of Grantham College would be dealt with in the closed session of the meeting at item 8 on the agenda.

One Member queried how many applications could be made in respect of the UKSPF as Bourne Town Council’s clerk had been advised that only one application could be submitted.   The criteria was confirmed and it was stated that only one application could be made under the Parish and Community Funding intervention.     Although South Kesteven District Council appeared to have lots of projects there were being submitted under different interventions.

(10:07 Councillor Patsy Ellis arrived)

One Member made reference to the Shop Front Guide and the Assistant Director of Planning and Growth stated that she would forward a link to the document on the website to the Member.  Further comments were made about funding and where it was allocated and it was stated that the Future High Street Fund was a separate fund to the UKSPF and was specific to Granatham.

The Board briefly discussed each application before the meeting went into private session.

REPF – 01 Stamford Indoor Bowls – solar energy

The funding request was for solar energy improvements to the Bowls Club.  The application had previously been before the Board but the request required Planning Permission and could not be undertaken within the previous UKSPF timescale.  It was confirmed that Planning Permission had now been granted.  The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer stated that lengthy discussions had taken place with the Bowls Club in respect of extending the lease/buying the premises with the organisation being committed to the location.  The organisation had strong links with the community and NHS rehabilitation.

SK-CP-07 – Skate Park – Wyndham Park

The project was to install a galvanised steel Skate Park on top of the existing Basketball concrete surface located on the upper filed at Wyndham Park, Grantham.  It was noted that there had been a Skate Park in Grantham some years ago which had been vandalised. 

REPF-02 – Deepings Community Centre refurbishment

The funding requested was for the refurbishment of toilet facilities to ensure that the centre had appropriate facilities to serve the needs of the community.  The project included the provision of a disabled toilet with changing facilities and an ambulant disabled toilet with baby changing facilities. Clarity was sought  in respect of the toilet provision and its location to which the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer replied.

It was confirmed that work to the roof at the Community Centre should be completed within the next few weeks.

REPF-03 – Langtoft Pre-school

Funding had been requested for both internal and external improvements to the pre-school which included, electrical works, roof insulation, decoration, floor replacement and upgrades/repairs to windows.  It was confirmed that it was a Council owned facility that had been taken over by the toddler group. It was a well-used facility and the group had a business plan in place to drive forward the upgrade of the facilities.  A question was asked about whether it was part of the main school and it was confirmed that the group was completely independent.

SK-CP-08 – Dysart Park Tennis Court Improvements

The project was for the resurfacing of the Tennis Courts at Dysart Park, Grantham which were currently in a very poor condition.  Resurfacing the court would allow users to play tennis on a safe surface and improve grip for users.  A question was asked about whether the line markings could include other sports not just tennis and it was suggested that this would be looked at if the project was endorsed.

It is likely that the Press and Public will be excluded during discussion of 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, seconded and agreed to exclude the press and public at this point in the meeting as it was likely that 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).

·       REPF – 01  Stamford Indoor Bowls – solar energy

·       SK-CP-07   Skate Park – Wyndham Park

·       REPF – 02  Deepings Community Centre Refurbishment

·       REPF – 03  Langtoft Pre-school

·       SK-CP-08   Dysart Park Tennis Court Improvements

Grantham College Future: Forward Programme

Funding requested: £75,000

Following the last meeting of the Board and the presentation from Grantham College, the Board had requested further information in respect of the Employability Skills and Support Programme before they made a decision in respect of the funding request.  Clarity had been asked in respect of the previous projects outcomes, what mechanisms the College had in place to track progress of the programmes and for how long, how success rate was measured, references to improved exam attendance.  The Board were circulated with a supplement document that sought to answer the questions that had been asked.  It was noted that the funding would be match funded by £25,000.

(10:30 Councillor Lee Steptoe left the meeting)

Members discussed the information that had been supplied by the College in respect of the points that had been raised following the presentation.  However, the Board were not convinced that the outcomes provided were Value for Monday in respect of the funding requested and it was proposed, seconded and agreed to REJECT the funding request.

(10:37 Councillor Lee Steptoe returned to the meeting)

REPF-01 – Stamford Indoor Bowls – Solar Energy

Funding requested: £46,203

A Board Member who was familiar with the organisation stated that it had been disappointing that the previous funding request had not been implemented due to the requirement for Planning Permission.  However, he confirmed that the supplier for the solar panels to the roof was ready to go as soon as decision had been reached.  The Board noted that the funding request had previously been endorsed subject to the required planning permission being granted and therefore it was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the new funding request.

SK-CP-07 – Skate Park – Wyndham Park

Funding requested: £125,000

Members were circulated with a restricted pack which detailed requests to have a skate park reinstated in Grantham following surveys and comments made over a period of time including surveys carried out by school children.  Due to the content, these packs were collected at the end of the meeting due to some of the sensitive information contained therein.  The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer together with Councillor Tim Harrison who was a member of the UKSPF Board spoke in detail about the history behind the request for a Skate Park in Grantham.  What had prompted it to be brought before the Board and answered Members questions in relation to maintenance and ongoing costs and that it would be the skateboard “community’s” responsibility to keep the skate park in good order.

(10:51 Councillor Tim Harrison left the meeting)

Members discussed the funding request and acknowledged that the Skate Parks located at the other towns in Bourne, Stamford and the Deepings were well used.  Concern was expressed about maintenance costs going forward and the responsibility of the skate park which in the other towns had fallen to the Town Councils.  It was acknowledged that although Grantham now had a Town Council it was relatively young and had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.