Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Helen Crawford.

Councillor Tim Harrison declared an interest in application SKMP10 and left the meeting whilst this application was deliberated by the Board.

Councillor Philip Knowles declared an interest in application SK2163 and left the meeting whilst this application was deliberated by the Board.

Councillor Harrish Bisnauthsing declared an interest in application SK2178 and left the meeting whilst this application was deliberated by the Board.

Councillor Bridget Ley declared an interest in those applications in respect of the Deepings however, she would be leaving the meeting early at 3:20 and the applications would be dealt with after towards the end of the agenda.

It was noted that the Assistant Director of Planning had been involved in some of the applications at agenda item 7 but she remained within the meeting during consideration of these items.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED.

The expenditure profile outlined where the money had been spent and under what categories and interventions. It was noted that the spend per person as shown by the Heat Map was larger in villages due to the smaller populations compared with the towns and also one big funding item could distort the figures shown and an example of Stamford was given where a large funding amount had been approved.

A summary of the Main Programme applications had been appended to the agenda which had been split in to three areas; the main applications, rural applications and applications for the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund to enable the public to see what applications the Board would be considering and the amount of funding requested.

The new UKSPF Manager, Neil Darwin was introduced to the Board.

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 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. 

Councillor Ashley Baxter asked for his vote against exclusion be recorded.

1.      SKMP10 – South Lincolnshire Blind Society CIO

2.      SKMP14 - Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group/ Deeping St James  

                 Parish Council

3.      SKMP15 - South Kesteven District Council

4.      SKMP16 - National Trust (Belton Estate)

5.      SKMP17 - inspire+

6.      SKMP18 - inspire+

7.      SKMP19 - Destination Lincolnshire

8.      SKMP20 - Beam Up Ltd

The Chairman informed the Board that the applications had been before the Lincolnshire Economic Forum and the Sub-Committees who had scored the applications accordingly.  It was for the Board to look at the applications to see if they offered value for money.  Each application was discussed individually and then a decision taken by the Board on each application having regard to the amount of money still available under each intervention.  It was noted that there was a little flexibility between the funding interventions.

SKMP10 – South Lincolnshire Blind Society CIO

Funding requested: £52,443.00

A funding application had been submitted for a Community Radio Station project which would be available 24/7 365 days of the year similar in a format to the previous defunct Gravity FM radio station.  Councillor Tim Harrison spoke in support of the application and how it would be run using many volunteers from the previous Gravity FM station and answered the Board Members questions. 

(Cllr Tim Harrison then left the meeting between 2:40 and 2:45 and 3:00 and 3:02 whilst the Board deliberated the application and made a decision)

Questions were asked in respect of the funding available and the amount requested and it was stated that difference between that requested and what remained could be vired from elsewhere within the funding streams.  The funding request was proposed, seconded and ENDORSED by the Board.

SKMP14 – Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group/Deeping St 

                 James Parish Council

Funding requested: £29,220

A funding request had been received for a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for the Deepings.  The Plan would form an important leading component of a revised Deepings Neighbourhood Plan.  Members discussed the application with references being made to Lincolnshire County Council’s responsibility and the Local Plan. It was stated that a Walking Infrastructure Plan (WIP) was not a statutory responsibility of the Highways Authority.  Following a discussion the funding request was proposed, seconded and ENDORSED.

SKMP15 – South Kesteven District Council

Funding requested: £100,000

The funding request was for a one-off project to create a grant fund for businesses based in the town centre areas of Grantham, Bourne, Stamford and Market Deeping to support business owners in maintaining their shopfronts and bringing them in to line with applicable shopfront design guidance.  The application was discussed in detail with comments being made in respect of work that had been done within Grantham.  It was stated that this grant would be available to all the four towns in the district and that it was for the business owner of the shop NOT the landlords.  Reference was made to match funding and it was stated that this could be added as part of the grants offered.  On being put to the vote it was proposed, seconded and ENDORSED.

SKMP16 – National Trust (Belton Estate)

Funding requested: £105,000

The funding application was in respect of the setting up of a community Hub at Grantham house.  Working in Partnership with St Wulfram’s and the local community, Grantham house would be an amazing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

1.     RF-1002 - Hanbeck Natural Stone Limited

2.     RF-1006 - Storm Style Ltd

3.     RF-1008 - Claypole Village Store

4.     RF-1013 - JJ Holdings

5.     RF-1014 - St Andrew's Church, Irnham

6.     RF-1015 - Fairman Knight and Sons UK Limited

7.     RF-1016 - Rural Inc Ltd

8.     RF-1017 - Carousel Nursery Limited

9.     RF-1018 - Fun Gymnastics LTD

10.RF-1019 - Tiny Steps Petting Farm

11.RF-1020 - The Lincolnshire Drizzle Company

12.RF-1021 - Mannakin Ltd

13.RF-1022 - Posh Paws Luxury Animal Hotel Limited

14.RF-1023 - Vale Honey Ltd

15.RF-1024 - Mannakin Ltd

As with the previous applications, each funding application was discussed individually and then each application was voted on separately, having regard to the amount of funding being requested and the amount of funding that remained within the relevant interventions.

RF-1002 – Hanbeck Natural Stone Limited

Funding requested: £90,000

The funding application was for a project to mechanise what was currently a manual process to allow the business to create a bespoke production line.

Members discussed the application in detail and the bespoke products that were produced.

(3:20 Councillor Bridget Ley left the meeting and did not return)

On being put to the vote the Board were minded to endorse a portion of the funding £70,000 but asked for more clarity in respect of how the rest of the project would be financed.

RF-1006 – Storm Style Ltd

Funding requested: £60,023.16

The funding application was in respect of obtaining better equipment with improved printing abilities for the shop.  The project would improve the quality of the products produced, lower production costs and increase production speed.  On being put to the vote the application was REJECTED.

RF-1008 – Claypole Village Store

Funding requested: £55,000

The funding requested which was match funded was for a total internal refit of the village shop together with the installation of a new roof, solar panels with battery storage, energy efficient glass door fridge-freezer, new flooring and shop front with sliding glass doors.  Members were supportive of the application and on being put to the vote the funding application was ENDORSED.

RF-1013 – JJ Holdings

Funding requested: £50,000

The funding application was to set up a secure, safe dog exercise park in fields on the outskirts of Great Gonerby. Members discussed the application but were not in favour of the proposal and on being put to the vote the application was REJECTED.

RF-1014 - St Andrew’s Church Irnham

Funding requested: £4,000

The funding application was for the replacement of seven quoin stones on the southeast corner of the 13^th Century bell tower and five square metres of stone to be cut out and replaced on the south elevation.  Members discussed the application and on being put to the vote the application was REJECTED.

RF-1015 – Fairman Knight and sons UK Limited

Funding requested: £45,000

The funding request was in relation to a project to transform Lincolnshire agriculture by introducing sustainable insect production at the industrial farm-scale, tackling the environmental and economic issues stemming from reliance on imported animal feed.  The focus would be on cultivating Black Soldier Flies, the initiative proposed a local, sustainable protein source and eco-friendly fertiliser, substantially reducing the carbon footprint and repurposing food waste into valuable resources at the farm level.  Members were very enthusiastic about the proposed project and on being put to the vote the funding application was ENDORSED.

RF-1016 – Rural Inc Ltd

Funding requested: £10,000

The request was for funding for a proposal to provide a secure and safe open-space area where dogs could be exercised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Returning

1.    SK-2148     Swayfield Village Hall

2.    SK-2153     Great Gonerby Memorial Hall

New

1.          SK-2158     Market Deeping Town Council: Neighbourhood Plan  

                  Group

2.          SK-2159     Uffington Village Hall

3.          SK-2160     Uffington Parish Council

4.          SK-2161     Uffington Parish Council

5.          SK-2162     Deeping St James Parish Council

6.          SK-2163     Bourne Civic Society - Baldocks Mill

7.          SK-2164     Ron Dawson Memorial Hall

8.          SK-2166     West Deeping Village Hall

9.          SK-2167     Grantham Canal Society

10.       SK-2168     Parochial Church Council of St. Stephen’s Church

11.       SK-2169     Baston Village Hall

12.       SK-2172     Stamford Drama and Music

13.       SK-2173     Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group/ Deeping St James  

                   Parish Council

14.       SK-2175     Langtoft Parish council

15.       SK-2178     St Martins Stamford Baron Parochial Church Council

16.       SK-2179     National Trust - Woolsthorpe Manor

17.       SK-2180     Art Pop-Up

18.       SK-2181     Blackstones Sports and Social Club

SK-2148 – Swayfield Village Hall

Funding requested: £25,000

This funding application had been deferred to see if any match funding could be raised by the Village Hall in respect of their proposal to install solar panels on the roof of the hall to provide a renewable energy solution. The Board acknowledged the match funding that had been raised and it was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the funding application.

SK-2153 – Great Gonerby Memorial Hall

Funding requested: £19,914

This funding request had also been referred back to see if any match funding could be raised in respect of the installation of solar panels on the Great Gonerby Memorial Hall.  Match funding had been raised and it was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the funding application.

SK-2158 – Market Deeping Town Council: Neighbourhood Plan Group

Funding requested: £30,000

The funding application was for a Deepings Green Walk to promote healthy living and outdoor activity for people of all ages.  The project funding application was for the introduction of signage, way marker posts, directional arrows, benches and boards.  Members were very supportive of the proposal and on being but to the vote the application was ENDORSED.

SK-2159 – Uffington Village Hall

Funding requested: £8,000

The funding requested was for a new flat roof for an extension that hosts the toilets and village archive.  Members agreed with the funding request and on being put to the vote the application was ENDORSED.

SK-2160 – Uffington Parish Council

Funding requested: £13,500

The request for funding was in respect of a mapped out trail offering accessibility to all, encouraging the community to gain a better understanding of Uffington, to get outdoors and improve their well-being as a heritage trail.   On being put to the vote the application was REJECTED.

SK-2161 – Uffington Parish Council

Funding requested: £10,745

The second funding request from Uffington Parish Council was in respect of enhancing five green spaces within Uffington to bring in more nature and enable more villagers to engage and access the spaces.  A short discussion on the application followed, on being put to the vote the application was REJECTED.

SK-2162 – Deeping St James Parish Council

Funding requested: £23,425

The funding application was in respect of Jubilee Park which would soon be transferred from South Kesteven District Council to the Parish. The funding was for the first phase in respect of consultation and design to engage with the community to create a fresh master plan for Jubilee Park.  Members discussed the application but on being put to the vote the funding application was REJECTED.  Councillor Ashley Baxter abstained from voting.

(Councillor Philp Knowles left during consideration and voting on the Bourne Civic Society item as he was a member of the Society and the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Lee Steptoe was in the Chair for this item only)

SK-2163 – Bourne Civic Society – Baldocks Mill

Funding requested: £15,000

The funding request was for a project that would focus on Baldocks Mill and increase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

None.

The Chairman asked for a clear list of the money spent to date to be circulated to all Members of the Board before the next meeting.

The meeting closed at 5:20pm.