Agenda item

·       REPF – 01  Stamford Indoor Bowls – solar energy

·       SK-CP-07   Skate Park – Wyndham Park

·       REPF – 02  Deepings Community Centre Refurbishment

·       REPF – 03  Langtoft Pre-school

·       SK-CP-08   Dysart Park Tennis Court Improvements

Grantham College Future: Forward Programme

Funding requested: £75,000

Following the last meeting of the Board and the presentation from Grantham College, the Board had requested further information in respect of the Employability Skills and Support Programme before they made a decision in respect of the funding request.  Clarity had been asked in respect of the previous projects outcomes, what mechanisms the College had in place to track progress of the programmes and for how long, how success rate was measured, references to improved exam attendance.  The Board were circulated with a supplement document that sought to answer the questions that had been asked.  It was noted that the funding would be match funded by £25,000.

(10:30 Councillor Lee Steptoe left the meeting)

Members discussed the information that had been supplied by the College in respect of the points that had been raised following the presentation.  However, the Board were not convinced that the outcomes provided were Value for Monday in respect of the funding requested and it was proposed, seconded and agreed to REJECT the funding request.

(10:37 Councillor Lee Steptoe returned to the meeting)

REPF-01 – Stamford Indoor Bowls – Solar Energy

Funding requested: £46,203

A Board Member who was familiar with the organisation stated that it had been disappointing that the previous funding request had not been implemented due to the requirement for Planning Permission.  However, he confirmed that the supplier for the solar panels to the roof was ready to go as soon as decision had been reached.  The Board noted that the funding request had previously been endorsed subject to the required planning permission being granted and therefore it was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the new funding request.

SK-CP-07 – Skate Park – Wyndham Park

Funding requested: £125,000

Members were circulated with a restricted pack which detailed requests to have a skate park reinstated in Grantham following surveys and comments made over a period of time including surveys carried out by school children.  Due to the content, these packs were collected at the end of the meeting due to some of the sensitive information contained therein.  The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer together with Councillor Tim Harrison who was a member of the UKSPF Board spoke in detail about the history behind the request for a Skate Park in Grantham.  What had prompted it to be brought before the Board and answered Members questions in relation to maintenance and ongoing costs and that it would be the skateboard “community’s” responsibility to keep the skate park in good order.

(10:51 Councillor Tim Harrison left the meeting)

Members discussed the funding request and acknowledged that the Skate Parks located at the other towns in Bourne, Stamford and the Deepings were well used.  Concern was expressed about maintenance costs going forward and the responsibility of the skate park which in the other towns had fallen to the Town Councils.  It was acknowledged that although Grantham now had a Town Council it was relatively young and had yet to take over aspects that were currently carried out by South Kesteven District Council.  The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer stated that going forward any maintenance costs of the Skate Park in the short-term would be taken out of Grantham’s Special Expense Area budget and would be paid for by the people of Grantham.  Following further discussion in which Members were supportive of the re-instalment of a skate park in Grantham but were concerned about future ongoing costs, it was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the funding request.

(11:02 Councillor Tim Harrison returned to the meeting)

REPF-02 – Deepings Community Centre refurbishment

Funding requested: £44,309

The Board discussed the application and were circulated with plans showing the current configuration and the proposed configuration following refurbishment of the toilet facilities.  Members were supportive of the proposal but enquired whether the refurbishment could be to a “changing places” standard with various ideas put forward.  It was stated that this was not what had been requested and it would be subjected to ongoing maintenance costs. Further discussion followed and it was suggested that the refurbishment should make allowance for changing places facilities if in the future funding became available.  It was proposed, seconded and agreed to ENDORSE the funding request with options looked into, in respect of changing places specifications.

REPF – 03 – Langtoft Pre-school

Funding requested:  £61,858

Members were supportive of the proposed project for improvements to the pre-school and on being put to the vote the application for funding was ENDORSED.

SK – CP – 08 – Dysart Park Tennis Court Improvements

Funding requested: £32,120

One of the Ward Councillors for the area and also a UKSPF Board Member spoke about the current poor state of the tennis courts.  Another Board Member echoed these comments and stated that when the courts had been in good repair they had been well used.  Members discussed the project with concern again being expressed about maintenance costs going forward and it was felt by some Members that Grantham seemed to get more funding allocated to it than other areas in the district.

The Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer stated that maintenance would come out of the SEA for Grantham until such time as conversations were had with the Grantham Town Council and areas that could be transferred to them were agreed.   It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the funding request be ENDORSED.

The Chairman reminded the Board that the next scheduled meeting was Thursday 4 September 2025.

In respect of projects it was confirmed that applicants would be notified as soon as possible.

The meeting closed at 11:24.