Agenda item

For the Board to consider applications to the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund.

 

The following applications to the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund were considered.

 

South Kesteven Main Programme Proposal – Bulit Facilities Strategy (SKMP-01)

 

The application was from South Kesteven District Council and concerned the development of a Built Facilities Strategy to help inform the emerging Local Plan to cover the period up to 2041.  The purpose of the strategy was to identify the needs and guide investment and future funding required by the Council and other bodies to provide new or improved facilities.  Members discussed the application before them and expressed concern about the proposal, querying whether Sports England financially contributed to the work. The Director of Growth and Culture confirmed this work was an additional element to the Local Plan and therefore unbudgeted work, however it was felt   the money for the strategy could be found from elsewhere withing the Council’s budget, in particular the Local Plan budget. On being put to the vote the application was REFUSED.

 

Application for funding: £19,750 - REFUSED. 

 

Main Programme Proposal – Meres Leisure Centre Decarbonisation (SKMP-02)

 

The application was from South Kesteven District Council and concerned a one-off project to identify a range of decarbonisation options to improve the carbon footprint of Grantham Meres Leisure Centre.  A consultant would be commissioned to support a bid to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme when it opened in late September/early October. 

 

Most Members who spoke on the application felt it was the responsibility of LeisureSK Ltd to find the funds for the project or for this to be funded from the Council’s £300k climate change reserve. On being put to the vote, the application was REFUSED.

 

Application for funding: £6,000 – REFUSED.

 

Stamford Town Cricket Club and Vision Day Support (SK2109)

 

The application was to refurbish and extend the toilets, refurbish the kitchen., replace the inefficient heating system and replace the showers as the current ones no longer worked.  It was stated the project would benefit all community users, in particular regular users who had physical and mental disabilities from Vision Day Support who used the facilities five days a week. 

 

It was noted the land now belonged to Stamford Town Council, and Members expressed concern that the Town Council had not applied for other funding from elsewhere. In discussing the application, it was felt other funding streams should be investigated by the applicants to help fund the project which some Members felt contained unnecessary expenses.  On being put to the vote, the application was REFUSED.

 

Application for funding: £240,000 – REFUSED.

 

St Wulfram’s Church PCC (SK2079)

 

The application was for the installation of 78 Photo-voltaic panels on the roof of St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham.

 

 

Members were supportive of the application and the wide variety of functions undertaken at the venue which benefited the community.  On being put to the vote the application was APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £49,500 – APPROVED.

 

 

Art Pop Up (SK2125)

 

An application regarding the funding of a programme of creative activities and cultural events:

 

·       4x half-term family creative activity events

·       Recruitment event: Movie Night and ‘Swapshop’ activity

·       6 x monthly skills development workshops with professional creative practitioners

·       28 ‘Youth club’ weekly evening teen drop-in and activity session led by 2 commissioned youth workers and volunteers (including detached outreach targeting at rick young people)

·       3x youth-led cultural events

 

Members noted the comprehensive application submitted and the inclusive work the group undertook in the Stamford area.  On being put to the vote the application was APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £35,421 – APPROVED.

 

St John the Baptist Church Baston (SK2124)

 

The application was to fund a project to build an extension to the church for a disabled toilet on the site of the old Boiler House with direct access from the North Nave.  To include wheelchair access and the usual disabled equipment.

 

As a previous applicant and a pricey submission, Members felt they were unable to support the application. On being put to the vote, the application was REFUSED.

 

Application funding:  £30,000 – REFUSED.

 

St Andrew’s Church PCC, Horbling (SK2086)

 

The application was in respect of urgent maintenance to the Lady’s Chapel which required the removal of the defective roof, replacement of new lead roof coverings, cast lead sheets, lead flashings and repair of the defective plaster inside due to water damage, by a restoration specialist as it was a grade 1 listed building.

 

Members felt this project was in respect of the fabric of the church, did not have a wider community benefit and therefore should be directed to the church diocese. On being put to the vote, the application was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £29,000 – REFUSED.

 

 

Holy Trinity Church, Allington (SK2105)

 

The application was for help with the installation of a DDA compliant toilet facility in the church.  This was an integral part of a larger whole project that included the building of a hard surface path from the gates to the church (already completed), a servery area, relevelling of uneven flag stones and building a ramp inside the church.

 

Members felt this work should be funded by the church. Following discussion on the application, the funding was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £20,000 – REFUSED.

 

Boothby Pagnell Village Hall (SK2115)

 

The application was for the installation of PV solar panel system at the village hall.   The proposal was to install the maximum solar panel capacity with some battery backup.

 

Members were supportive of the application and the wider community benefit that the village hall had within the village.  On being put to the vote the application was APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £24,000 – APPROVED.

 

Caythorpe and Frieston Parish Council (SK2085)

 

The application was in respect of the Playing Field Pavilion and improvements to heating, hot water and power installation using renewal energy. The Playing Field pavilion was currently served by mains electricity only as there was no gas in the village. The proposal was to generate electricity which would be stored in batteries on site to be used when required to provide, heating, hot water and lighting as well as power to run small appliances. 

 

The application had been referred at the previous meeting for more information in respect of anticipated energy consumption and usage costs.  Population figures were given for both Caythorpe and Caythorpe and Frieston.  A whole range of activities were undertaken and on being put to the vote the application was APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £23,740 – APPROVED.

 

Caythorpe and Frieston Playing Field Committee (SK2098)

 

The application was for works to the Sports Pavilion to increase insultation levels to modern standards and improve energy consumption of the building together with renewal of fascia boards to replace rotting timber boards. 

 

Having already been allocated sufficient funds on a previous application, Members felt the money could be raised by the Playing Field Committee. On being put to the vote, the funding was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £1,815 – REFUSED.

 

 

Castle Bytham Village Hall (SK091)

 

This was a revised funding application following the request made at the last Board meeting for further clarity.  Revised funding in respect of making good following the installation of new heating system and to act as match funding for FCC Communities application.  Overall project is for new doors, loft insulation and new LED lighting. 

 

Members discussed the revised funding request and felt that utilising volunteers to undertake some of the works had not been considered.  Concerns were also raised over the size of investment in relation to the return given that prior funding of £20,242.34 had previously been granted. On being put to the vote, it was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £8,044.12 – REFUSED.

 

Claypole Village Hall (SK2117)

 

The application was for a newly configured, complete kitchen refit replacing the old, not fit for purpose kitchen. 

 

Members discussed the application and noted match funding had been included acknowledging the venue was well-used by the local community. On being put to the vote, the funding was APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £19,620 – APPROVED.

 

Swinstead Village Hall (SK2110)

 

The application was for the total refurbishment of the aged village hall toilets. 

 

Members discussed the application, concluding that the landowners should be approached in respect of a contribution for the proposed refurbishment.  On being put to the vote, the application was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £19,400 – REFUSED.

 

Stoke Rochford and Easton Parish Council (SK2118)

 

The application was in respect of planting hedgerow trees around public footpaths in the parish and to plant specimen trees in metal guards in parkland and around public footpaths.

 

Members discussed the application and it was noted that trees were expensive and the proposed location of planning would be on private land.  In recognising the planting of trees as being a good undertaking, it was suggested the parish council be directed to the Woodland Trust as they were known to provide grants.  On being put to the vote,  the application was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £19,394 – REFUSED.

 

Lawrance Park Recreation Ground (SK2100)

 

The application had been referred at the last meeting and further funding streams signposted.  A revised funding application had been submitted for the removal of community hall showers and the refurbishment of toilet facilities, installation of new sinks, flooring and decoration throughout.

 

Members acknowledged circa £6,000 match funding had been secured since August and that the centre was used regularly by various community organisations.  Members voted on the revised funding and it was APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £18,300 – APPROVED.

 

Afghanistan & Central Asian Association (SK2071)

 

The application was for funding to create an Arts and Cultural hub to empower 80 newly-arrived Afghan refugee families in Grantham.

 

Members discussed the application, concluding more information was required in relation to the number of families referred to in the application. Concern was raised over the costings which required further explanation. Members also were seeking assurance as to what other provision was available in the area. Application DEFERRED.

 

Application funding: £15,190 – DEFER for clarification in respect of numbers.

 

Pointon Football Club (SK2103)

 

The application was for funding for the provision of temporary changing room, shower and toilet facilities for use by the football club and visitors whilst the existing pavilion was refurbished.

 

Whilst Members acknowledged efforts made to remedy the situation the Club found themselves in, concerns were raised in relation to the costings to effectively cover a six-month period and the temporary nature of the unit.  On  being put to the vote, the application was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £15,000 – REFUSED.

 

South Kesteven District Council (SK2129)

 

The application was for match funding for the creation of a Airbourne Forces Visitor Trail to include:

 

-       Two publicly accessible airfields

-       Visitor sites – Easton Walled Gardens, Grimsthorpe Castle, Harlaxton Manor, Fulbeck Craft Centre

-       Walks, takes, events, detectorist activities at WW2 sites

-       A Tulip Trail of flowers at Arnhem-related sites

-       Partnering with an organisation to follow identified night training routes

 

Members were very supportive of the proposal and the proposed activities which would enhance tourism, celebrate key dates (such as the anniversary of D-Day and Arnhem 80^th Commemorations 2024) and highlight the history of the region.  On being put to the vote, the application was unanimously APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £15,000 – APPROVED.

 

 

 

 

Stubton Village Hall (SK2093)

 

The application for funding was in respect of the replacement of five windows and doors for the village hall.

 

The age of the building was queried by Members. It was noted that the village hall had become the centre of the village as there was no longer a public house.  On being put to the vote the application for funding was APPROVED.

 

Application funding: £14,335 – APPROVED.

PCC St George’s Church Stamford (SK2099)

 

The application for funding was in respect of making the chancel roof watertight.

 

Whilst Members applauded the work of the church, they felt the application was in respect of the fabric of the church (i.e. ineligible) and therefore funding should be directed to the diocese.  The application for grant funding was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £10,000 – REFUSED.

 

The Chairman, Councillor Philip Knowles left the meeting during consideration of the next two items and took no part in the deliberations or decision.

 

Councillor Steptoe in the Chair

Bourne Arts & Community Trust (SK2106)

 

The application for funding was for urgent repairs and improvements to the fabric of the building.

 

Members discussed the application for which they understood the building in question was owned by Bourne United Charities (BUC).  It was felt the application did not reveal whether the Trust had applied to BUC and therefore, an approach should be made to the owners of the property to help with funding.  On being put to the vote the application for funding was REFUSED.

Application funding: £10,000 – REFUSED.

House of Prayer (SK1037)

 

An application for funding to deliver a set of cultural programmes.

 

Members discussed the application and were concerned with the religious content contained within the funding document. Members felt there were intrinsic links to religious activities which could not be separated from the proposed programme.  Therefore, the application was considered ineligible for UKSPF funding.  On being put to the vote, the funding application was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £8,756.17 – REFUSED.

 

Councillor Knowles back in the Chair

 

 

 

Jubilee Church (ACM) (SK2070)

 

The application was for funding for a weekly Saturday café for one year, providing a hub to support Ukrainian refugees. The application had been referred to the applicant at the last meeting for clarity in respect of costs.

 

Members discussed the application and whilst recognising the well-publicised good work undertaken by the Jubilee Church, felt they could not support the application as questions previously raised had not been satisfactorily responded to and there were concerns in respect of the costs.  On being put to the vote, the application was REFUSED.

 

Application funding: £7,648 – REFUSED.