Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bridget Ley and Councillor Nikki Manterfield.

A disclosure was made by one Member in respect of SK2333, however this was later withdrawn as it did not apply to the application before the Board.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED.

An update was requested in respect of the Stamford Indoor Bowls application.  It was confirmed that planning permission was required for the works in respect of the solar panels and it was stated that an application was due to go before the Planning Committee in March.  Pre application advice was being sought and Officers were working closely with the bowls club to see whether part funding could be secured before the 31 March deadline.  Discussion on why the need for planning permission was not flagged sooner and it was stated that correspondence had taken place in November however no application for planning permission had been received.   It was noted that going forward if funding was received for 2025/26 that perhaps a checklist should be completed to ensure any requirement for planning permission was picked up as soon as possible.

The Assistant Director of Planning apologised for the lack of an expenditure profile.

The Board briefly looked at each application before discussing the issue in more detail during the private session of the meeting noting the supplementary papers that had been circulated in respect of the funding requests.

SKMP43 – Steadfast Training

The proposed project was an extension to Steadfast’s current Connect2Grow programme within South Kesteven which had been funded by the UKSPF.

SKMP44 – Grantham College

The application for funding extended the colleges work on the Employability and Skills Programme supporting individuals living in South Kesteven who were furthest from the labour market.

SKMP48 – Harlaxton Manor College

The proposal was an extension to work already undertaken to build capacity within South Kesteven’s social economy.

SKMP45 - SKDC CCTV

This proposal for funding was to extend  the CCTV upgrade and relocation project to include the addition of free Wi-Fi provision in SK managed car parks.

SKMP47 – Deeping St James Parish Council

The funding request was for the replacement of Public Notice Boards, the current boards were outdated and beyond economic repair or restoration.

RF-1036 – JJ Holdings

The application was for stage 1 of a farm diversification project; the construction of a secure dog exercise park in Great Gonerby.  It was stated that planning permission would be required and it was unlikely to be completed within the timeframe left to spend funding.

SK-22256 – Grantham Arts CIC

The aim of the project was to develop a creative space with specialist equipment to be utilised for workshops and classes at Grantham House.

SK-2231 – St Michael and All Angels Church

The project was for funding to contribute towards the costs of providing an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities and a servery that was fit for purpose with proper drainage. 

SK-2235 – Grantham Squash and Fitness Centre

The project was to install a lift to transport visitors from the ground floor to the first floor.  Access to use the lift would benefit different groups within the community.

SK-2235 – Hougham and Marston Village Hall

The funding proposal was for the urgent and remediation works required for the Village Hall and Playing Field.

SK-2236 – SKDC re-wilding (extension of SK-2196)

The project proposal was for an extensive biodiversity dog paddock in Wyndham Park, Grantham.

SK-2155 – St Lawerence Church, Tallington

The funding proposal was for the renewal of lighting and heating inside the church.

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 that the press and public were excluded from the meeting at this point as it was likely that information contained within the remaining items on the agenda were exempt under paragraph 3 of Scheduled 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Members of the Board were circulated with an update which detailed the position in respect of the funding programme for the UKSPF.  It was confirmed that the deadline, where all funds must be spent, was 31 March 2025. 

New applications for funding were being reviewed alongside previously approved funding applications to ensure delivery by the deadline.  Previously approved applications were being followed up to ensure that they could deliver the projects on time.

The current amount of uncommitted funding was highlighted, however that did not include those funding applications that were currently before the Board.

The breakdown of funding allocated but not yet claimed by external applicants was shown at Appendix A to the report.  Appendix B showed the internal projects which had yet to be claimed.

It was noted that some projects were considered “at risk” as there were concerns whether these projects could be completed by the deadline and the funds drawn down by 31 March 2025 and these were listed at Appendix C.  The projects were being monitored and applicants supported to understand if any part of the project could be delivered.

Due to the concerns about delivery of projects, officers had been reviewing what additional internal projects could potentially be funded through the UKSPF rather than the General Fund and these were listed within the report.

Additional projects had also been identified although costing works were ongoing and these were also listed within the report.

Due to the tight timescales in spending the funds and the projects listed within the report that could potentially use the UKSPF monies, it was asked that the Board endorse the items listed and that a delegation is put in place to give delegated authority to the Chief Executive and S151 Officer in consultation with the Chairman of the UKSPF Board and the Leader of the Council to allocate the funds.

The delegation was proposed, seconded and AGREED.

Decision

That a delegation is put in place to give delegated authority to the Chief Executive and S151 Officer in consultation with the Chairman of the UKSPF Board and the Leader of the Council to allocate the funds as required in respect of those additional potential project applications shown at paragraph 12 for funding within the financial update report.

Discussion on some of the proposed projects were highlighted and it was stated that the position was constantly changing. Members expressed concern in respect of projects that required planning permission and it was confirmed that Officers had been in contact with these applicants.

A question was asked in respect of an application that had been previously before the Board (SK-2204) in respect of the “Whale” project and the siting of it within Bourne and Stamford. It was confirmed that these were imminent, Grantham would take place in May.  It was also confirmed that the funding allocated in respect of SK98, the installation of Table Tennis Tables in the four main towns had been increased to five with a further table being sited in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

·       SKMP43 – Steadfast Training

·       SKMP44 – Grantham College update

·       SKMP45 – SKDC CCTV

·       SKMP47 – Deeping St James Parish Council

·       SKMP48 – Harlaxton Manor College

Due to the nature of the projects and the requests to extend funding already received a decision on the following three funding applications were taken enbloc.

SKMP43 – Steadfast Training

Funding requested: £36,050

The project was an extension of Steadfast’s current Connect2Grow programme in South Kesteven which they had been delivering since September 2024.  The extension of the Connect2Grow would build on the current scheme to continue the locally integrated skills and employment service that tackled deep-seated barriers to work for those in the south of the district.  The Board discussed the actual numbers who were now in work and those who had participated in the scheme.

SKMP44 – Grantham College

Funding requested:  £20,500

(Councillor Lee Steptoe declared an interest in this item and abstained from voting)

The funding request was for an extension to the work on the Employability and Skills Programme which supported individuals living in South Kesteven who were furthest from the labour market and who often had significant barriers to achieve their full potential.  The programme helped to move them closer towards sustainable employment.  The Board were supportive of the work being carried out.

SKMP48 – Harlaxton Manor College

Funding requested: £25,400

The funding proposal was for a project to work with key actors and community organisations to scope the key components of a strategic plan to build capacity within South Kesteven’s social economy.  The proposal looked at the short-term priority of building leadership capability within the social economy to think and act more strategically.  There would be two distinct strands, strand one would build a stronger social economy and strand two looked a leadership development for the social economy.

Discussions on the three projects followed, the work undertaken by each project and how outcomes were measured and it was acknowledged that these could be difficult to measure.   On being put to the vote, it was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE all three requests (SKMP43, SKMP44 and SKMP48) for funding.

SKMP45 – SKDC CCTV

Funding requested: £8,000

The funding proposal was for an extension of the CCTV upgrade and relocation project to include the addition of free Wi-Fi provision in South Kesteven managed car parks.  A short discussion on the project followed and it was confirmed that this was achievable before the deadline of 31 March 2025.  On being put to the vote the funding request was ENDORSED.

SKMP47 – Deeping St James Parish Council

Funding requested: £15,864.40

The funding request was for eight replacement public notice boards due to the current boards being beyond economic repair or restoration. It was confirmed that three quotes had already been received.  The funding request was proposed, seconded and ENDORSED. 

·       RF1036 – JJ Holdings

RF-1036 – JJ Holdings

Funding requested: £46,837

The funding request was for stage one of a four-stage farm diversification project, the construction of a secure dog exercise park in Great Gonerby.  It was noted that Planning Permission would be required prior to the implementation.  On being put to the vote the application for funding was REJECTED.

·       SK-2226 – Grantham Arts CIC

·       SK-2231 – St Michaels and All Angels Church

·       SK-2233 – Grantham Squash and Fitness Centre

·       SK-2235 – Hougham & Marston Village Hall

·       SK-2236 – SKDC re-wilding  (extension of SK-2196)

·       SK-2155 – St Lawrence Church, Tallington

SK-226 – Grantham Arts CIC

Funding requested: £102,872

The funding requested was to enable a creative space to be developed at Grantham House with specialist equipment which would be utilised for workshops and classes.  People could you it to develop skills and continue their own practice.  Funding would be used to renovate the studio space.  Concern was expressed by Members of the Board about the project as it was felt that it would not be open to the wider community.  A discussion on the application followed with the Assistant Director of Planning and Growth answering the Boards questions.  Due to the amount of funding requested it was suggested that the application be deferred until the end of the meeting, however it was proposed, seconded and on being put to the vote agreed to REJECT the application.

SK-2233 – Grantham Squash and Fitness Centre

Funding requested: £35,000

The funding requested was for the installation of a personnel lift to transport visitors from the ground floor to the first floor.  It was stated that the centre was used by a lot of different groups and it had been confirmed that the project would be completed by the deadline.  It was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the funding requested.

SK-2231 – St Michael and All Angels church

Funding requested: £45,665

The application for grant funding was to contribute towards the costs of providing an accessible toilet with baby changing facilities and a servery that was fit for purpose.  Concern was expressed about the use of the church by the wider community and it had been checked that the wider community did use the church.  Questions were asked about the number of quotes and whether a tender process would need to be undertaken. It was acknowledged that there was match funding in place and permission for the works had been agreed by the Diocese.  It was proposed to ENDORSE the funding request subject to clarification in respect of the tender process and the completion of the project by the deadline.

Reserve List

The following funding requests were discussed by the Board and placed on a reserve list.  If other projects were unable to utilise the funding granted by the deadline of 31 March 2025 these projects would be first on the reserve list.

SK-2235 – Hougham and Marston Village Hall

Funding requested: £25,000

Funding requested to carry out urgent remediation works on the village hall and playing field which included new entrance doors, repairs to the roof and a CCTV system.  The applicants had confirmed that the work could be completed by 31 March 2025.  The Board were supportive of the application and on being put to the vote the funding request was ENDORSED.

SKDC re-wilding (extension of SK-2196)

Funding requested: £14,489.60

The proposed project was for an extensive biodiversity dog paddock in Wyndham Park, Grantham.  A public consultation was being planned for January due to the time sensitive nature of the application.  It was indicated that the previous project would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

None.

The meeting closed at 12:54.