Agenda item

It was noted that the supplementary papers that had been circulated were in respect of agenda item 7 and were not a separate agenda item.

SK-CP-01 Safer Streets Programme – extension of existing safer street patrols

Funding requested: £40,000

The project was an extension of part of the existing Safer Street Project which mainly operated in Grantham.  A Safer Street bid had been successful from the Home Office through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in 2023 which provided funding to implement safer street patrols within the nighttime economy.  It also increased CCTV double crewing. The Safer Street Funding had ended in March 2025 and no further funding was available to support the project from the OPCC or the Police.  Funding was being requested to extend the operation of patrols and double crewing of CCTV with the added flexibility to patrol across the South Kesteven as required.  Members discussed the application with questions being asked about Police funding, officers safety and Police liaison.  It was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the request for funding.

SK-CP-02 Safer Street Programme – Shopwatch/Pubwatch Scheme

Funding requested: £25,000

This funding request was considered in conjunction with the above request for funding which again asked to extend the existing Shopwatch/Pubwatch  scheme which currently operated in Grantham.   Members considered it together with the above funding request and it was proposed, seconded and ENDORSED.

SK-CP-03 High Street Improvements - Shopfronts

Funding requested:  £100,000

The project was to provide grant funding for businesses within South Kesteven’s four market town centres to support improvements to shopfronts and signage in line with the updated South Kesteven Shopfront Design Guide.  Grants would be up to £5,000 and would be made available to businesses within the town centre areas of Grantham, Bourne, Stamford and Market Deeping (as defined in SKDC’s Local Plan).

Members discussed the funding application and it was asked that consideration be given to the small independent traders ahead of the bigger shop traders.   It was stated that communications around the grants would endeavour to reach the independent shop traders although it was open to all shop traders.  A question was asked about the Shopfront Guide and it was stated that within the guide there was a sub-section specific to each of the four towns.  Further discussion followed in respect of the tight timescale to distribute the funding across the district.  Members were supportive of the proposal for funding with small independent shops being prioritised preferably and on being put to the vote it was ENDORSED with the funding “ringfenced” for clarity. 

SK-CP-04 Open Space – Campbell Close Play Park

Funding requested: £60,000

The funding request was in connection to drainage works to ensure the play site remained usable all year round due to an existing spring running underneath the surface which caused the ground to flood easily. The installation of a footpath following drainage works would make the play area site more accessible for users this would also lead into the Council’s Play Strategy.  Discussion followed with one Member clarifying for those Members who did not know the area the problems that were encountered at the location.  Questions were asked about the Council’s reserves to enable works to be completed but it was stated that external funding would ease pressure on the Council’s resources.  It was stated that other areas within  the district had similar problems with examples being given.  On being put to the vote it was proposed, seconded and the funding request ENDORSED.

SK-CP-05 Sports and Community Facilities – Harrowby Lane Car Park

Funding requested: £35,000

The funding request was for a grass matting system to be installed at the car park at the edge of the playing field.  Members noted that the facilities had previously been granted a considerable amount of money from the UKSPF fund in the previous year.  One Member stated that the club had been “a victim of its own success” as more people were now using the facilities but car parking was now becoming problematical with people parking on grass verges. It was also noted that the car park in question was a Council asset that it was leased to the football club.  Further discussion followed with some Members expressing concern that Grantham seemed to be getting more funding projects then other areas of the district.  More discussion followed in respect of the car park but it was reiterated that the Council was the landlord in respect of this particular asset and it was in the Council’s interest to protect its assets where possible.  It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the funding request be ENDORSED. 

SK-CP-06 Sports and Communities – Harrowby Lane Football Club  Lights

Funding requested: £9,225

The request for funding was for the installation of new LED lights at the football club. Although this was discussed in connection with the previous funding application Members asked that the applications be taken separately.  It was confirmed that the application had been received under the previous UKSPF funding but it had not been able to be achieved within the timescale. It was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the funding request.

SK-BG-01 Business Growth – Business Lincolnshire Growth Grants

Funding requested: £20,000

The proposal was to award a top-up of £20k (£10k to NBV and £10k to the Growth Hub) to ensure that this is start-up support for a minimum of 17 South Kesteven businesses and support for up to 10 businesses established for more than 12 months.  NBV grants are £500 and Growth Hub grants of £1,000 at a 50/50 match for businesses. Members discussed the proposal and felt that communication around accessing the grant was vital.  On being put to the vote it was proposed, seconded and ENDORSED.

SK-BG-02 Business Growth – Chamber of Commerce Grant scheme

Funding requested: £122,800

The proposal for funding was for a renewed Business Growth Grant  to be administered and delivered by the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce to support SMEs and investment in projects that delivered measurable business growth. Grants would be awarded on a 50% intervention rate with remaining project costs match funded by businesses.  The target was in relation to medium sized businesses.  Members discussed the proposal and it was stated that communication around the grant was vital for it to succeed with good business plans that were viable essential.  On being put to the vote it was unanimously ENDORSED.

SK-BG-03 Business Breakfasts

Funding requested: £5,000

The proposal was for a series of business breakfast or lunch talks in all four market towns with a minimum of 4 events, 1 per town on subjects of t interest to local businesses.  Target audiences of 50 attendees.  Members discussed the proposal with some Members feeling that these type of events were no longer appropriate with others stating that they were good networking opportunities, especially for smaller businesses.  On being put to the vote the proposal was REJECTED.

SK-PS-01 Skills Summit

Funding requested: £10,000

The proposal was to build on the success of the Skills Summits that took place in Grantham and Stamford during 2025.  The events aim was to galvanise the businesses and schools who previously took part and to expand the exhibitor offer to include other local organisations as well as community groups and charities.   The summit was aimed at year 10 upward.  One Member asked why it was just Grantham and Stamford and this was primarily to do with venues and access by those exhibiting although other venues would be looked at for suitability.  It was suggested that transport be looked into so that schools in Bourne and Deepings could also access the event.  On being put to the vote the funding application was ENDORSED.

SK-PS-02 Inspire+ Move and Food Project

Funding requested: £40,000

The proposal was for a continuation of the previously funded Move & Food programme providing healthy food and activities for children during school holidays. The programme also aimed to support educational development, integrating active lessons and developing personal skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, resilience and problem solving. 

The Board were informed that the programmes that had been                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          endorsed for this specific intervention so far exceed the funds available and with the Board’s permission it was proposed that the GLCCA be contacted to see if the underspend of money in relation to Business and Growth could be moved to the People and Skills intervention.  

Further funding applications within the report had all previously had funding allocated from the UKSPF.   

SK-PS-03 Grantham College; Employability and Skills training + NEET Support

SK-PS-04 The Advanced Social Economy Incubator Harlaxton

SK-PS-05 Connect2Grow Steadfast                                                                                                                           

Members of the Board were very supportive of the work undertaken in connection with Inspire+, however it was felt that in relation to the Inspire+ application and the above three applications that the Board wished to see the outputs from last year and what the funding for the programmes had achieved before any further funding was endorsed.  It was agreed that outputs would come before the Board before a decision on funding allocation was made.

The Assistant Director of Planning and Growth referred to the Boards permission to seek approval from the GLCCA in respect of moving money from one intervention to another.  It was proposed, seconded and AGREED for the officer to approach the GLCCA.   

A report on the clarification of previous outputs from the above proposals would come before the Board as soon as possible, it was hoped to arrange a meeting in June 2025.  A comment was made that papers in respect of the proposals for discussion needed to be circulated with the agenda to allow Members time to read them.  It was noted that due to the meeting of the Board happening so close to the Council AGM this had impacted timeframes to some degree.  Members urged Officers that communications in respect of expressions of interest needed to be as wide as possible.

The Chairman thanked the Officers for their hard work to date and closed the meeting at 12:10.