Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs Johnson.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 November 2011.

Resolved:-   That the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 21 November 2011 be approved as a correct record subject to deletion of existing resolution (b) in item 6 and its substitution with the following:-

                        (b)       That the application submitted by Kidsgrove Town Council in respect of floral displays be approved and a community chest grant of £650 be awarded with a further £250 from the Green Grant Budget if applied for.

To receive Declarations of Interest from Members on items included on the agenda

Councillor Mrs Cornes declared an interest in the Community Chest application made by Audley Parish Council during consideration of which she vacated the chair and left the meeting.

Consideration was given to fifteen applications for financial assistance from the Small Grants Scheme.

Resolved:-   (a)       That the following grants be approved:-

                        (b)       That no grants be awarded in respect of the applications submitted by St John Ambulance, Madeley Parish Residents Association, Newcastle-under-Lyme District Scout Council (Castle Caper).

                        (c)        That in respect of the application submitted by Newcastle-under-Lyme 50+ Community Forum (Newsletter) no grant be awarded but that the applicant be invited to re-apply during the 2012/13 financial year after first obtaining a number of quotes for the printing of the newsletter.

                        (d)       That in respect of the application submitted by Knighton Village Hall no grant be awarded but that the applicant be invited to submit a Community Chest application for consideration in the 2012/13 financial year.

                        (e)       That in respect of the application submitted by Ministry 4 Sport Community Interest Company/Walks 4 Health no grant be awarded and the applicant be advised to make an application to Newcastle-under-Lyme Sports Council.

                        (f)         That in respect of the application submitted by St Thomas’ Parent Staff Association no grant be awarded and the applicant be advised to make applications for assistance from the Community Chest and/or Green Grant budget.

Consideration was given to two Cultural Grant applications.

Resolved:-   (a)       That the following grants be approved:-

                        (b)       That the grant to Creative Arts North Staffs be conditional upon the applicant providing information the schools in Newcastle that will be involved in the project.

                        (c)        That the unspent balance £349 in the Cultural Grant budget for 2011/12 be transferred to the Small Grants budget and added to the grant of £1000 made by the Panel to the Parish of Audley Medieval Society [see minute 4(a)].

Consideration was given to a report detailing applications for grant aid received from organisations that provided services to homeless persons.

Resolved:-   (a)       That the following grants be approved:-

                        (b)       That the reasons stated in the Officer’s report no grant be made in respect of the application made by The Lyme Trust, Revival Home Improvement Agency and the YMCA.

The Panel considered a report informing Members of Community Chest applications that had been processed during the period April 2011 to February 2012.

The report also outlined applications for approval from:-

(i)         Marsh Hall Community Centre – (upkeep of exterior gardening, leaflet designs/production and Willow art structure (£1000)

(ii)        Audley Parish Council – two grit bins (purchase and installation) (£217.05)

(iii)       Keele Parish Council – Diamond Jubilee Orchard including signage (£1000)

In addition to the above, the Chair indicated that as this was the last meeting of the Panel in the current financial year, an application submitted late by the Wye Road Community Centre for new lighting and disco equipment (£1000) could be considered.

Resolved:-   (a)       That the Panel notes the applications received and processed during the period April 2011 to February 2012.

                        (b)       That the application submitted by Marsh Hall Community Centre be supported in the sum of £1000 subject to the applicant first submitting the evaluation form for 2009/10 as had previously been requested.

                        (c)        That further in respect of the Marsh Hall Community Centre, the applicant be advised that any future applications are unlikely to be supported if the above evaluation form, and subsequent ones are not submitted.

                        (d)       That in respect of the application submitted by Keele Parish Council the Chairman be authorised to approve the application in the sum of £1000 subject to the applicant providing further satisfactory details of the project.

                        (e)       That the application submitted by Wye Road Community Centre be supported in the sum of £1000.

Councillor Miss Walklate in the Chair

                        (f)         That the application submitted any Audley Parish Council be supported in the sum of £217.05.

Councillor Mrs Cornes in the Chair

The Chairman advised of a likely underspend on the Green Grants budget for 2011/12 and sought approval to allow her to allocate it to other grants falling within the remit of the Panel that were considered to have an environmental improvement element.

Resolved:-   That approval for the Chair to deal with any underspend in the Green Grants budget for 2011/12 in the above way be given subject to Members of the Panel being kept informed of any actions taken.