Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Helen Crawford and Councillor Virginia Moran.

The Assistant Director (Governance and Public Protection) and Monitoring Officer referred to an email that had been received from a member of the public querying the exclusion of the press and public during consideration of applications on the agenda. The Assistant Director (Governance and Public Protection) and Monitoring Officer stated that due to the commercial sensitivity contained within the applications and that no express permission had been given by the applicants that information could be made public, it was appropriate that they were dealt with by excluding the press and public. He made reference to the Local Government Act 1972 and the Council’s Constitution and the exemption paragraphs contained in Schedule 12A and the public interest test and read out an extract of the exemption:

“Exempt information if and so long, as in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information”

In his opinion it was correct for the Board to go into private session in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Council’s Constitution.  A question was asked in respect of the 28 days’ notice referred to in the email whereby such notice was required in relation to an item which may be considered in private.  It was confirmed that this only related to ‘executive’ decisions. As this Board had no executive decision-making power the requirement to provide 28 days’ notice did not apply.

Councillor Lee Steptoe declared a non-registrable interest in respect of the Grantham College applications and left the meeting during consideration of these applications.

Nicola McCoy-Brown also left the meeting during consideration of the Grantham College applications as she was a governor of the College.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2023 were proposed, seconded and AGREED.

The Board Members had been circulated with an expenditure profile and updated Heat Map.

A Member queried the massive underspend in respect of the intervention for Supporting Local Businesses.

A brief overview of the Board was given and also the work that had been started by a previous officer of the Council in respect of developing a business forum.  It was confirmed that work was continuing and measures were in the pipeline in respect of the intervention.   Further discussion followed in respect of the Grantham Business Club and the Federation of Small Businesses and it was stated that a sharing agreement needed to be signed by all parties.

The UKSPF Programme Manager was tasked with following up on the position of the sharing agreement document.  

For information only.

The Board were notified that they would receive two presentations from organisations who had received funding:

·       Inspire+

·       Bythams Woodland Trust

Also three presentations from the following new applications:

·       SKMP04 - Harlaxton Manor College

·       SKMP07 - Citizen’s Advice South Lincs

·       SKMP08 – Steadfast Training

·       Inspire +

·       Bytham’s Woodland Trust

It was decided that the Bythams Trust presentation would be first.

Members received a presentation in respect of the Bythams Woodland Trust who were a charity and had developed a recreation area (The Spinney) set in 8 acres of land. The site would be 20 years old this year.

The site was managed by volunteers and the funding that had been received from the UKSPF was being used to update the play equipment and features within the site which were beginning to show their age, this included a new zip wire, new space nets, walkways, look-out towers, slides and swings. It had been hoped that the work would already be completed but due to the bad weather work was behind and costs had risen due to this.  The new equipment and site restoration work would be unveiled on Saturday 13 April 2024.   On behalf of the Bythams Woodland Trust the Board were thanked for the funding received.

The second presentation focused on the work undertaken by Inspire+ who were an independent sports and education charity which had been based in Grantham since 2011. The motto of the charity was simple: for children to be healthy, happy and active.  There were a lot of deprived areas within South Kesteven where food poverty amongst children was high.  The Inspire+ camps were open to primary school children on benefits relating to free school meals.  90% of primary schools were involved with the Inspire+ programme within South Kesteven with around 10% of secondary schools. 

The greatest need was within the Grantham area although work was also carried out in Bourne, Stamford and the Deepings.  Inspire+ worked with local partners to provide freshly cooked healthy meals during the camps.  Chefs also gave tips to parents on how to prepare cheap and healthy meals. Inspire+ was also involved with apprenticeships in relation to sports for young people to help them pursue careers and as teaching assistants.

Members thanked Mr Brittain for the presentation.

It is likely that the press and public will be excluded during discussion of the following agenda item 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 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.

Returning applications and updates from Local Economic Forum sub-groups (verbal)

1.    SKMP05a – Grantham College

2.    SKMP05b - Grantham College

3.    SKMP05c - Grantham College

4.    SKMP06 – Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Service

New applications:

5.    SKMP04 – Harlaxton Manor College - Presentation

6.    SKMP07 - Citizen’s Advice South Lincs - Presentation

7.    SKMP08 – Steadfast Training – Presentation

The Board had received presentations for the following items at their last meeting:

SKMP05a – Grantham College

SKMP05b – Grantham College

SKMP05c – Grantham College

SKMP06 - Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service

The applications had also been before the Local Economic Sub-groups for their determination on the funding requests.

SKMP05a – Grantham College - Employer Engagement Officer the consensus of the Board was in agreement with the Local Economic Sub-group to REFUSE the funding request of £61,816 for year 3.

SKMP05b – Grantham College – Employability Skills for employment /employers project.    

Funding request: £97,000 of year 3 funding. 

The Local Economic Sub-group felt that more special tailoring was required in respect of targeting unemployed persons owing to health related reasons and DEFERRED a decision for an amended application to be submitted.

The Board also considered the application in detail and felt that more information specifically tailored to the health aspects should be submitted.

SKMP05c – Grantham College – Bespoke Skills for Business Provision

Funding request: £67,000

Application for funding was not endorsed by the Local Economic Sub-group and the Board Members also agreed to REFUSE funding.

(3:10 Councillor Lee Steptoe and Nicola McCoy-Brown returned to the meeting)

SKMP06 – Lincolnshire Community & Voluntary Service – South Kesteven Care Worker Micro-Enterprise Pipeline

Funding request: £61,000 year 3 funding

The Board had discussed the application at the last meeting and although further discussion took place the Board were not minded to the support the application.  Application for funding REFUSED.

The Board received presentations on three new applications and discussed the applications after all three presentations had taken place.

SKMP04 – Harlaxton Manor College – The Social Economy Accelerator

Funding request: £44,460 year 3 funding

The application was for a proposed new specialist programme aimed at addressing the challenges faced by social economic organisations in sustaining or growing their organisations.  The programme would focus on developing competence within SOE leaders int he areas of strategy development, diversifying revenue streams and funding and capturing and reporting their social impact.    The Board discussed the proposal but felt that very similar programmes were offered by the University of Lincoln and Bishop Grosseteste University.

SKMP07 – Citizen’s Advice South Lincolnshire – Skills through Advice Project

Funding request: £37,808 year 3 funding

The application was in respect of the new project which would involve an in person delivery of centred advice focused on improving the health and financial wellbeing of those people furthest from the labour market to being their journey towards paid work.  An independent 0.8FTE adviser would be employed and engage with one to one meeting to explore people’s situation and work with them to overcome issues and build resilience and give them the digital and financial skills necessary to seek paid work.  The target was to help in the region of 400 people and it was acknowledged that this was not a quick fix.  Members queried that the Citizens Advice Bureau would not be increasing their opening hours in respect of this project and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

·       RF-1002 – Hanbeck Natural Stone Limited

·       RF-1004 – Rural Inc Ltd

·       RF-1006 – Storm Style Ltd

·       RF-1008 – Claypole Village Store

As the meeting had gone on over the three hour mark it was decided that the items at agenda items 9 and 10 would be deferred to the next meeting of the UKSPF Board on Monday 11 March 2024.

·       SK-2132 – Great Ponton Parish Meeting

·       SK-2140 – Great Gonerby Parish Council

·       SK-2142 – Wyndham Park Forum

·       SK-2143 – Horbling & Billingborough Scout Group

·       SK-2144 – Memorial Hall Barrowby

Item deferred to the next meeting of the UKSPF Board – Monday 11 March 2024.

None.

The meeting closed at 17:20.