Gosport Borough Council Grants Sub-Board Meeting

There were none

Councillor Cully declared a personal interest in item 7 para 3  as her husband is a tenant of a non GBC allotment

Councillor Hutchison declared a personal interest in item 8 para 3 as he has attended meetings of the D-Day Fellowship.

Councillor Burgess declared an interest in item 7 para 7 as he had awarded them a grant as an HCC Councillor

Councillor Chegwyn declared an interest in the following items as he had awarded them a grant as an HCC Councillor:

Item 7 para 12

Item 7 para 13

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2023 were signed as a true and correct record.

There were no deputations but 11 representatives had requested to speak to the Sub Board on their applications

There were none

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety confirming changes made to the grants guidance and forms as outlined in the September 2023 Sub Board t clarify the process for applicants and aid administration of the grants process effective from this round. It also provides an update on the funding awards and recommendations made by the Sub board at its previous meetings including three end of project reports.

The Grants officer shared the following interim report from the Diving Museum.

The Diving Museum closed on October 2nd and all the exhibits were placed into storage. The contractor took over the Battery at the start of November and the project is scheduled to be completed in May 2024.

The grant award toward the £860,000  project to make No2 Battery an even better asset for the Borough is greatly appreciated by the society. A full end of project report will be submitted to the Board after completion of the project in the New Year.

Members were reminded that the applicants have up to two years in which to spend their grants, and therefore some projects may not be started yet, but other more event based grants had been chased.

The Chairman expressed his sympathy for the organiser of Fortonfest on their sad loss.

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board noted:

i)              The status report provided on the June and September Sb Board awards and recommendations in Appendix 1

ii)             Three end of project report summaries from March awards

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.

The Chairman started by explaining the process to the applicants and checking the balances available with the Grants Officer.

Members agreed to award £5,000 to Gosport Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association contingent upon successful planning permission being obtained at its September meeting,and were updated that the planning permission was still pending.

Members agreed to award £4,000 to the Rowner Bowling Club as a contribution toward a new perimeter fence per its September grant application as all outstanding queries about the proposed fence had been answered.

i)              Willow Incredible Garden

The applicant wished to thank the Members that had visited the site, and confirmed that the grant applied for would purchase the materials required to create an outdoor learning space. Previous works had been carried out by volunteers who had trade experience and it was hoped to do the same again.

Members asked the applicant to provide more details of the proposed outdoor learning space structure to the planning department to determine if it would require planning permission.

Members were advised that due to the increased price of materials other grants would be sought to make up the shortfall.

Members wished to congratulate the applicant on what had been achieved so far and recognised the value of the project to the community. A future visit was agreed.

Members agreed to award £5,000

ii)             Hub4Stuff

Members were advised that the organisation is staffed only by volunteers and collects unwanted furniture and household goods to redistribute to those in need. They also provide new cooking facilities such as microwaves and hot plates, and no one is ever turned away. The money would also be used to pay the costs associated with the delivery van.

Members agreed that Hub4Stuff provided an invaluable service and worked closely with the housing and homeless departments to provide for the most in need in the community.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £1,500

iii)           Lee Rangers Football Club

Members who are familiar with the club advised that it is a well organised team which takes on players from a young age right through to adulthood.

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

iv)           Green Dragon Football Club

Members were advised that the club had been started in 2010 as a five a side, but had grown over the years, but kept many of the original players. They play in the Sunday league and consist of two teams. The club had been involved in many fundraising schemes for other community groups.

In answer to a Members question the applicant advised that the jackets would instill a feeling of team spirit and belonging into the players, and a sense of pride.

The applicant also described other team equipment items it regularly needs to replace.

Members agreed to award the sum of £2,000

v)            Gosport Rovers Football Club

Members agreed to defer this application

vi)           Gosport Cricket Club

Members were advised that the grant would fund the purchase of two sightscreens, as the current ones are falling apart. These type of screens are an accreditation requirement, without which the teams can’t play in the Southern Cricket League.

The applicant explained that they had been recognised as the most improved ground last year and wished to continue to improve in order to raise perception of the ground and inspire more people to train there.

Members wished to recognise the commitment and opportunities created for such a mixed group.

The applicant invited the members to visit next season and advised them of the Friday café.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £3,042

vii)          GADSAD

Members were advised that GADSAD provide sporting activities for the disabled overseen by 8 volunteers. They offer activities to help with a range of physical and mental health issues, and provide respite for carers and offer company and a sense of community.

The applicant explained that the decision had been made to hire a mini bus when their own finally had to be scrapped, and the grant would fund this vital element of the group, along with replacing sport equipment.

Members were advised that the hall is rented out to other groups and this was an area they were hoping to expand on along with other types of fundraising.

The Chairman suggested applying for a HCC grant to make up the request.

Members agreed to award £4,000

viii)         The Ritz at St Vincent.

Members were advised that a team of volunteers staged a cinema screening once a fortnight at St Vincent. The hire of the venue and the cost of renting the films had both jumped to a point where they are losing money at most screenings.

The applicant explained that they had been awarded a grant to show a particular directors films, and were confident that commercial advertising at the screenings would help increase the income. There had been collaborative screenings at venues such as Thorngate Hall and the Diving Museum, but worked to complement the Gosport Community Cinema and not clash on screening days.

Members hoped that the Council could help promote the screenings as part of its own events marketing.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £1,221

ix)           Gosport Community Cinema

Members were advised that although cinema is at the heart of this application it is also a community service which tries to reach people for whom visiting a cinema would be impossible, and provides a break from the loneliness and social isolation felt by many.

The applicant explained that the grant would be used as match funding to attract Lottery type grants and would cover the running costs up to April so the team could focus on delivery of a screening day per week and exploring the possibility of commercial sponsorship.

Members were advised that Thorngate had been extremely supportive of this project but realistically may not be able to increase this support if the screenings were held more often.

Members agreed to award £4,522

x)            Late item from Bridgemary Rowner and Woodcot Community Association

By reason of special circumstances, the Chairman determined that the following item be considered at this meeting notwithstanding the fact that the item had not been available for public inspection in accordance with the provisions of Section 100B94)(a) of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board agreed to take the late item.

Members were advised the association has been based in the grounds of Bridgemary school since 1947. It consists of a hall and lounge bar which is hired out to a wide variety of community groups. Three hundred members use the bar area.

The applicant explained that they had recently  refurbished the hall and kitchen. The grant would be used to replace the front doors, to facilitate greater accessibility, and decorate the lobby area to make the area safer and more inviting.

In answer to a Member’s questions officers were asked to confirm terms of the underlease.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £5,000 subject to the terms of the lease.

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board

Considered the applications in the report and:

1.    A grant of £5,000 to be paid to the Willow Incredible garden

2.    A grant of £1,500 to be paid to Hub4Stuff

3.    A grant of £1,000 to be paid to Lee Rangers Football Club

4.    A grant of £2,000 to be paid to Green Dragon Football Club

5.    Defer the application from Gosport Rovers Football Club

6.    A grant of £3,042 to be paid to Gosport Cricket Club

7.    A grant of £4,000 to be paid to GADSAD

8.    A grant of £1,221 to be paid to The Ritz at St. Vincent

9.    A grant of £4,522 to be paid to Gosport Community Cinema

10.  A grant of £5,000 to be paid to BRW Community Association subject to confirmation of the terms of the underlease.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety providing a summary of the two 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 proposal asset out in this report.

I)             The D-Day Fellowship

Members were advised that is was hoped that the heritage grant from this sub board would kick start the fundraising and help to land match funding from other organisations.

The applicant recognised that the scheme still had to receive planning permission but was hoping it could still be delivered by June 6^th 2024.

Members were in favour of memorials as a concept but felt they had more meaning for and buy in from the community linked to the subject if they had been part of the fundraising and project.

It was agreed that the Canadian Stone  was owned by GBC, but the applicant had written to Canada House to advise them of the plan.

Members agreed to use GBC social media in order to promote the fundraising campaign.

Members agreed to pledge £5,000 and a letter of support, conditional on planning permission being granted and the rest of the project costs being raised.

ii)     Nest & Anchor Events Limited- Anchored in Gosport project.

Members all agreed that Nest & Anchor’s social media presence was excellent and that the Christmas market had been a success.

Members were advised that the purpose of the project was to connect independent businesses, provide a showcase in which their story could be told, and hopefully increase footfall to the shops. There would be three parts to the project. A physical magazine including pieces on each of the businesses, an online digital platform where blog posts would provide an updated story of what was going on in the High Street and an exhibition to be staged somewhere on the High Street, possibly the Imagination Refinery.

In answer to a Member’s question, the applicant confirmed that the exhibition would be focused on the heritage of the market and as well as including photos would also be dependent on audio of people’s memories.

Members were concerned that 500 copies of the magazine would not be enough and suggested checking with the Councils repro department for comparison quotes. It was felt that the “then and now” aspect of the project would be very popular. The applicant advised that they did not want the magazine to be advert heavy, more editorial and promotional.

Members felt that this was a potentially good project, which would raise awareness of the High Street businesses and market, but needed more thought, and possibly linked in with the Councils events programme.

Members agreed to defer any decision to the next meeting.

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board:

Considered the applications in the report and:

1.    A letter of pledge for a £5,000 grant conditional on it being the last £5,000 of the total scheme cost, and subject to planning permission being granted.

2.    Defer to the next meeting