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Gosport Borough Council
Councillors: 28
Wards: 14
Committees: 10
Meetings (2025): 47
Meetings (2024): 47

Meeting

Grants Sub-Board - Gosport

Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 29th June 2023
6:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 29th June 2023
10:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Date:
29 Jun 2023
Location:
Council Chamber
Meeting Attendees
Councillor Kirsten Bradley photo
Committee Member
Councillor Kirsten Bradley

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Graham Burgess photo
Committee Member
Councillor Graham Burgess

Conservative

Present, as expected

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Councillor Peter Chegwyn photo
Committee Member
Councillor Peter Chegwyn

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Councillor Mrs June Cully photo
Committee Member
Councillor Mrs June Cully

Labour

Present, as expected

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Councillor Jamie Hutchison photo
Committee Member
Councillor Jamie Hutchison

Liberal Democrat

Present, as expected

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Agenda
0 Extension of the meeting
Minutes The Chairman sought the agreement of the Sub Board to continue beyond 9 o’clock.

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board agreed to continue
1 Apologies for non attendance
Minutes There were none
2 Election of Chairman for 2023-24
Minutes RESOLVED: That Councillor Chegwyn was duly elected as Chairman for the municipal year 2023-24
3 Election of Vice Chairman for 2023-24
Minutes RESOLVED: That Councillor Hutchison was duly elected as Vice Chairman for the municipal year 2023-24
4 Declarations of Interest
Minutes Councillor Kirsten Bradley declared a personal interest as the applicant in item 8 paragraph 7 is known to her.

Councillor Graham Burgess declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Hampshire County Councillor who has given grant funding

Councillor Peter Chegwyn declared a personal interest as an event organiser in another area, and a non-pecuniary interest as a Hampshire County Councillor who has given grant funding
5 Minutes of previous meeting held on 9 March 2023
Attachments:
Minutes RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2023 be signed as a true and correct record.
6 Deputations
·         (NOTE: The Board is required to receive a deputation(s) on a matter which is before the meeting of the Board provided that notice of the intended deputation and its object shall have been received by the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on 27 June 2023.  The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes).
Minutes There were no deputations but 16 representatives had requested to speak to the Sub Board on their applications.
7 Public Questions
·         (NOTE: The Board is required to allow a total of 15 minutes for questions from Members of the public on matters within the terms of reference of the Board provided that notice of such Question(s) shall have been submitted to the Borough Solicitor by 12 noon on 27 June 2023).
Minutes There were none
8 Awards Update from March Board
This report summarises changes made to the grants guidance and forms under delegated authority to the Chief Executive to clarify the process for applicants and aid administration of the grants process effective from the next round. It also provides an update on the funding awards and recommendations made by the Board at its initial meeting in March, including three end of project reports.
Minutes Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy & Community Safety, summarising changes made to the grants guidance and forms under the delegated authority to the Chief Executive to clarify the process for applicants and aid administration of the grants process from the next round. It also provides an update on the funding awards and recommendations made by the Sub Board at its initial meeting in March, including three end of project reports.

The Grants Officer introduced her report and brought Members attention to the Friends of Bastion Number 1 application, which is now being heard at the Policy & Organisation Board, the Lee Residents application is on hold whilst they source more funding and the grant awarded to level UP has now been received.

In answer to a Member question Officers agreed to Chase Montserrat Events for an end of project report.

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board:

i)              Noted the changes and additions made to the grants guidance and forms effective from the next funding round

ii)             Noted the status report provided on the March Sub Board awards and recommendations in Appendix 1

iii)           Noted the end of project report summaries for three awards.
9 Heritage Fund Application
To provide a summary of the applications received to the Heritage Fund in this funding period in order that members can determine if they wish to award grant funding for the proposals as set out in this report.
Attachments:
Minutes Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy & Community safety providing a summary of the applications to the Heritage Fund in this funding period in order that Members can determine if they wish to award grant funding for the proposals as set out in this report.

i)              Gosport Living History Society.

Consideration was given to an application by the Chairman of the Gosport Living History Society for Heritage grant funding to carry out repairs to the Little Woodham Living History Village buildings.

Members were advised that a specialist in wattle and daub and lime washing had provided a very competitive quote, which has been accepted and the work will be carried out soon.

Members wished to thank all the staff and volunteers at the Village, and hoped to arrange a Members visit soon.

Members agreed to award the full amount applied for, £7,431.

ii)            Gosport Heritage Fayre- Sunset Festival.

Consideration was given to an application from the Director of Big Eats Food Festival requesting funding for a festival in Gosport.

Members were advised that the event would provide an opportunity for community groups to publicise themselves on the run up to the Heritage Open Days.

In answer to a Members question, they were advised that Big Eats had been a CIC for 18 months, before which it had been a limited company trading on a non profit basis.

Members heard that there would be a programme of music as well as cookery demonstrations with advice for those cooking on a budget, or wishing to be greener. The organization had received support in kind from the Co-op and profits would be donated to local charities and causes. This year food banks had benefitted.

The Chairman confirmed that a charge for the use of Walpole Park would be made.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £10,000

RESOLVED: That the Board:

-Considered the applications outlined in the report and award

i) A grant of £7,431 to be paid to Gosport Living History Society

ii) A grant of £10,000 to be paid to Gosport Heritage Fayre- Sunset Festival
10 Community Grant Fund Applications
To provide a summary of each application received to the Community Fund in this funding period in order that members can determine if they wish to award grant funding for each proposal as set out in this report. A list of all applications made to date with amounts requested is provided in Appendix 1
Minutes Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community safety providing a summary of each application received to the Community Fund in this funding period in order that members can determine if they wish to award grant funding for each proposal as set out in this report. A list of all applications made to date with amounts requested is provided in Appendix 1.

i)             Friends of Stanley Park

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from the Treasurer of Friends of Stanley Park to enable the purchase of litter picking equipment.

Members were advised that since the group was formed in 2018 the park has achieved green flag status and has reduced the ASB.

The applicant advised that the money would enable the group to continue to bring people together, enjoy the fresh air and help protect the environment.

Members wished to offer their thanks to the group, and looked forward to seeing details of the events due to take place in the park.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £500

ii)            Gosport Model Yacht & Boat Club.

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant funding for an event to celebrate 100 years of model yacht racing.

Members recognised that this was an internationally renowned boating lake and the club an asset for Gosport.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £960

iii)           Elson Infant School

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from the Executive Head Teacher to fund the redevelopment of the Ark Garden, which had been neglected during lockdown.

Members were advised that the garden would be a sensory space designed to assist improvements in mental health and enable children to learn skills. Once restored the garden would be available for the community, service families and the nursery next door to access.

The applicant advised that the groundworks would be funded by the school, with the Community Grant being used for plants, herbs and sensory toys.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £1,000

iv)           Solent Town Football Club

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant to fund equipment and kit for a Sunday League football club averaging 20-30 members aged between 19 and 40 playing in Privett Park.

Members were keen that the grant was not used for pitch or ref fees.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £1,000 conditional on the money only being used for equipment and kit.

v)            Fortonfest Event

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant to fund a free event in Forton Park.

Members were advised that the event donated to local charities including Andy’s Mans Club and Marvels and Meltdowns, and provided a free event in a deprived area of the town.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £2,000

vi)           Gosport Hospital Radio

Consideration was given to an application by Gosport Hospital radio to fund equipment to support the newly purchased studio desk.

Members were advised that this equipment would enable the reintroduction of the live request service and support the expansion of the service to include those sick at home. This would be backed by an improved website and a regular news service.

The applicant advised that the service provided an opportunity for local charities and organisations to promote themselves, and helped train volunteers to use the systems.

Members advised the applicant to try to secure HCC grant funding through the other County Councillors.

Members agreed to award a sum of £1,500

vii)         Big Noise Community Samba Band

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from the Big Noise Community Samba Band to fund workshops for young people.

Members were advised that the workshops would enable the young people to feel more comfortable than joining the adult band, and would train them to such a standard that they would in the future lead the adult band.

Members agreed to award a sum of £1,500 and advised reapplying in March.

viii)        Gosport & Fareham MS Society

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant to fund replacement doors at the garage used to store vital equipment.

Members agreed to support the project but required three quotations. Once those quotes were received, the Sub Board members would discuss how to proceed. There is also the need to check ownership of the property, and some members wished to carry out a site visit.

Members agreed to support the application but would wait until quotes have been obtained and ownership confirmed.

ix)           Gosport & Fareham MS Society Exercise Classes

This application was withdrawn

x)            Community Pantry

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant to fund providing low cost food.

Members agreed to defer this application and the organisation will have the opportunity to submit an application in the future.

xi)           MHA Communities Gosport & Fareham

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from MHA Communities Gosport & Fareham to fund social activities, lunch clubs and transport for the over 60’s.

Members were advised that local MH groups receive no central funding and rely on fundraising and other grants as they have now lost their HCC grant. Participants pay as much as they can towards the costs of the activities or meals. Discounts and deals are always negotiated and there has been support from Asda in the form of vouchers.

Members were advised that the activities take place in a number of locations across the Borough, and participants are often referred via GP’s and fill the void left by the services no longer available.

Members agreed to award the sum of £2,500

xii)         Hampshire Music Service

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant by the Hampshire Music Service to fund Year 2 of the Gosport Cultural Education Project.

Members were advised that Gosport had been identified as a priority for levelling up in music.

Members were advised that the grant would fund the second year of a three year project. The content would be based on feedback from children involved in the first year, and would expand the pilot to include several different workshops across three mediums culminating in a week long celebration. The events would enable children to work with professionals and visiting artists to create a devised piece of theatre.

The applicant advised that they had been in talks with Fort Brockhurst as a venue for some of the events.

In answer to a Member’s question, the applicant advised that approximately 200 children would be involved.

Members agreed to award the sum of £2,000 and requested that Officers explore whether there was the possibility of further funding from other budgets.

xiii)        Home-Start Hampshire

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from Home-Start Hampshire to fund the training of volunteers to support vulnerable parents.

Members agreed not to award any funds.

xiv)        Disability Union

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from the Disability Union to fund Sensory Superstars playgroups.

Members were advised that a successful lottery bid had provided funding for one session per week for twelve months, which is free to those children under 2 years. It was hoped that the funding would enable the charges for the sessions to be removed. The funds would also be used to provide sensory boxes for children in hospital.

In answer to a Member’s question, the applicant advised that approximately 20% of the children attending have a disability, and although the Disability Union cover the whole country this would be a community based service in two locations, the Alver Valley and one in the Town Centre.

Members agreed to award a sum of £2,500 and encouraged a future application.

xv)         Oarsome Chance

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant by Oarsome Chance to fund the recruitment a junior fundraiser and costs for the running of four community events.

Members were advised that Oarsome Chance provided an alternate education source for those who have disengaged or been excluded from school. Schools provide 62% of the organisations funding.

The applicant advised that the smaller bits of fundraising that had been done by themselves and the community, were now not sufficient and the raising of money needed to be a priority.

Members agreed to award £2,750 conditional that the money is spent on events.

xvi)        Freedom Centre

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant by the Freedom Centre to fund the recruitment training and pay for a Debt Centre manager.

Members were advised that the applicants were hoping to introduce a debt advice service into the church building where currently many other activities took place. The service would be supported by Christians Against Poverty.

In answer to a Member’s question, the applicant advised that no other funding is in place yet, nor is there a business plan to show how the organisation would deal with employees etc.

Members agreed that debt is a real problem in all communities and recognised the work done by CAB. The applicant explained that the service offered by the Debt Advice Service would be a longer term commitment coaching people to not only get out of debt but how to stay out.

Members offered support in principle but agreed not to make an award. They advised the applicant that they could return to a future meeting once they had secured more funding.

xvii)       St.Mary’sAlverstoke Parochial Church Council

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from St. Mary’s Alverstoke for funding towards the creation of a new Community and Parish Centre that will provide a multi-functional community hall, letting rooms social and community facilities for use by all ages and the Parish’s administration hub.

Members were advised that the building currently provided a location for many groups, but bad drains and poor soundproofing made it difficult to expand the number of groups using the rooms.

Members were asked to consider showing their support through a pledge letter which could be used to secure other grant funding as many sources of funding require thresholds to be met before they will consider donating. This will include another Lottery application.

Members agreed to support the project in principle, provide a letter of support and the pledge of a possible future grant dependent on the project securing the other remaining funding required.

xviii)     Lee on the Solent Tennis, Squash & Fitness Club

Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant to fund the upgrading of the club’s floodlights.

Members agreed to defer the application to the next meeting due to the applicant being taken ill at the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the Board:

Considered the applications in the report and:

i.       A grant of £500 to be paid to Friends of Stanley Park

ii.       A grant of £960 to be paid to Gosport Model Yacht & Boat Club

iii.       A grant of £1,000 to be paid to Elson Infant School

iv.       A conditional grant of £1,000 to be paid to Solent Town Football Club

v.       A grant of £2,000 to be paid to Fortonfest

vi.       A grant of £1,500 to be paid to Gosport Hospital Radio

vii.       A grant of £1,500 to be paid to Big Noise Community Samba Band

viii.       A grant to be paid to Gosport & Fareham MS Society to be determined on receipt of further quotations

ix.       Defer the application for the Community Pantry to a future meeting

x.       A grant of £2,500 to be paid to MHA Communities Gosport & Fareham

xi.       A grant of £2,000 to be paid to Hampshire Music Service

xii.       No grant to be paid to Home-Start Hampshire

xiii.       A grant of £2,500 to be paid to the Disability Union

xiv.       A conditional grant of £2,750 to be paid to Oarsome Chance

xv.       No grant to be paid to the Freedom Centre

xvi.       A pledge of support letter to be provided to St Marys Alverstoke

xvii.       Defer the application from Lee on the Solent Tennis club to the next meeting
11 Late Item Community Grant
To consider an application for Community Grant from Maritime Heritage Tours for £100 to fund the printing of a leaflet
Minutes Consideration was given to an application for Community Grant from Maritime Heritage Tours to fund a leaflet promoting the visitor information available.

Members agreed to award £100
12 Any other items
Minutes There were none
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6th Mar 2025

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5th Dec 2024

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27th Jun 2024

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7th Mar 2024

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Future Meetings
Meeting

26th Jun 2025

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25th Sep 2025

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4th Dec 2025

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5th Mar 2026

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