Agenda and minutes

Councillor Julie Cooper declared an interest as a Member of Porthill Residents Association

Councillor Wenslie Naylon declared an interest as a Keele Ward Councillor

Councillor Amelia Rout declared an interest as an employee of Staffordshire University.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:               That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June, 2015 be

agreed as a correct record.

At the previous meeting of the Panel an application had been considered for PA4 Inspiration CIC.  Members had requested more information prior to making a decision and therefore, they had been invited along to give a presentation.

Nicholas Pamment and Paul Smith from PA4 were in attendance to give the presentation.  Members received a hand out of the slides which outlined the services which would be offered for free, including litigant in person services, form filling, translation service and career support and advice.

Members were then invited to ask questions.

Councillor Mrs Rout asked where any referrals would come from if the service was set up Newcastle?  Nicholas stated that a walk in service would be offered but solicitors would also send referrals.  In addition, the Citizens Advice Bureau would direct people to them and fliers would also be distributed.

Councillor Mrs Naylon asked what were the benefits to PA4?  Nicholas replied, saying that, where people were going court and representing themselves the service became self funding as, if people can afford, they would be charged but at a lower rate than a solicitor.  

Councillor Joan Winfield queried those who did not have or want a computer.  Would PA4 help them to go online?  Nicholas stated that they were going into libraries, for example, and going through the forms with them.

Councillor Mrs Burgess asked what the funding would be used for and Members were advised that this would pay for funding/expenses of people doing the advising.

Members discussed the item prior to making a decision and agreed that the legal side was the only different service which they offered compared to other local authorities.

Resolved:              That the information be received and the comments noted.

(i)                        The Panel considered four applications for Sports Grants.

Resolved:              That the following Sports Grants be awarded.

Applicant                                                                             Amount £

1.               Archery                                                                     £400.00

2.               Boxing                                                                      £300.00

3.               Gymnastics*                                                             £300.00

4.               Volleyball                                                                  £300.00

*In respect of the gymnastic application, the Sports Advisory Council had recommended deferral until 2016.  This Panel agreed that the grant be awarded subject to confirmation that no rules were being broken with regard to the terms  and conditions of applying for grants.

(ii)                       As Sports Grants were new to this Panel, Members felt that they required clarification on number of points such as the distribution of grants and the number of applicants anticipated for each meeting, The Chair felt that this needed reviewing and stated that the  Community Development Manager (sports) – Mr Jeff Vernall be asked these questions at the next meeting.

Resolved:              That Mr Vernall be asked to clarify various issues at the next meeting.

(i)              The Panel considered a report advising of Community Chest applications processed to date for 2015/16

Resolved:                   That the Panel notes the applications

received and processed to date.

Councillor Mrs Naylon had declared an interest in the following application and took no part in the discussion

(ii)             The Panel considered an application for Community Chest.

Resolved:    That, subject to evidence of other funding being successfully gained,  a grant of £800 be awarded towards the Keele Parish Clock Restoration.

(i)                        The Panel considered eleven applications for Small Grants.

Resolved:                   That the following Small Grants be awarded:

Applicant:                                    £                  Comments

PA4 Inspiration CIC                     1000.00        Subject to  PA4 signposting

any duplicated services to other organisations who carry them out and also, subject to DBS checks being undertaken.

Shelton Swimming for                 0.00              No grant awarded but provide

Therapy Group                                               support, advice and guidance

The Museum FC                        0.00              No grant awarded but provide

                                                                     Support, advice and guidance

Samaritans of Stoke and             1000.00       

Newcastle

Madeley Indoor Bowling              0.00              No grant awarded put provide

Club                                                               advice and guidance and refer to Community Chest

The Outrigger Club                     500.00          Advise of possibility of Community Chest application.

K&S Out of School Club              0.00              No grant awarded.  Advise to reapply with specific information as to where the children would be coming from.

Newcastle Lantern                      1,500.00       Subject to other funding being

Supporters’ Club                                             confirmed.

Revitalise Respite Holidays         0.00              Item deferred. More information required. Invite applicant to next meeting to do a presentation.

Parish of Audley                         0.00              Item deferred. Evidence

Medieval Society                                            required of where attendees would be coming from.  Invite to reapply under ‘Cultural Grants’.

Councillor Mrs Rout declared an interest in the next item and vacated the Chair.

Councillor Mrs Winfield in the Chair.

Applicant:                                   £                   Comments

All The Small Things CIC            0.00              Item deferred.  Meeting to be

                                        arranged with the Vice-Chair, the Council’s Partnerships Officer (Community Development) and one other Panel member to gain further information.

Councillor Mrs Rout in the Chair.

(ii)                       Members were updated on an application made by Digital Inclusion Through Geneology.  They had received a grant last year but, due to delays in gaining the Heritage Lottery Funding, had not yet utilised the funding awarded by the Panel.  They were therefore requesting an extension of time.

                Resolved:         That an extension of time be agreed subject to

                                        regular updates of their position in respect of the

                                        other funding.

(iii)                      GREEN GRANTS

Members were updated on the current status of seven Green Grants.

Resolved:                   That the information be received.

The Panel considered three applications for Cultural Grants.

Resolved:              That the following Cultural Grants be awarded:

Applicant                                                         £

New Vic Borderlines                              1000.00

Keele Drama Society                                       750.00 (pending confirmation on how they are going to engage)

Newcastle Lanterns Supporters Group             750.00 (subject to confirmation of other grants being awarded).

There was no Urgent Business.