Agenda and minutes

Councillor Cooper chaired the Panel and welcomed all those present.  Introductions were made and general housekeeping explained.

Councillor S. Colella declared an interest in respect of the application in relation to Haybridge Sports Pavilion as he had supported the application. During the application being heard he took no part and left the room.

Councillor B.T. Cooper declared an interest in respect of the application in relation to Christchurch Catshill and St Lukes Marlbrook Church as he had supported the application.  During the application being heard he took no part and left the room.

Councillor S. Shannon declared an interest in respect of the application in relation to St John Baptist Church with St Andrews as he had supported the application. During the application being heard he took no part and left the room.

It was explained that this was the first meeting which would consider the bids for lower applications of £1,580 and under and higher applications of £1,581 to £15,800. It was further informed that a second meeting would be held, in private, when the Panel would consider all bids that had been presented to them and put forward its recommendations for consideration at the Cabinet meeting to be held on 5^th September, 2018.  Applicants would not receive formal confirmation in respect of their applications until after that meeting.

The aim of this meeting was to give the Panel Members the opportunity to discuss the applications with the applicants and for applicants to respond to any questions which may arise from those discussions.

Each application had been allocated a five minute slot and those in attendance were advised that they were welcome to go when they had responded to any questions in respect of their application.

Challenge Stroke Group – Members Day Out

Members considered the application before them.

Mr Maslen, the applicant, attended the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         Members of the Group were from the Rubery, Marlbrook and Bromsgrove area.  However, it also accepted that some  Members were from outside the area;

·         Members day out would be either Safari Park or Dudley Zoo and the funds would cover up to 20 Members and their carers entry fee and transport;

·         The Group organised around two to three trips a year.

Rubery Festival – Fun Day

Members considered the application before them.

Mr Maslen, the applicant attended the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         The balance would be funded from other revenues, such as raffles and food vans;

·         The fun day would take place on 2^nd September, 2018 and would bring people into the village;

·         Approximately £150 would pay towards entertainment;

·         Usually the fun day attracted approximately four thousand people. Due to the poor weather last year  approximately 600 people attended;

·         Rubery fun day would not usually make any profit;

·         Clarity was sought that Rubery Festival was not a charitable organisation, however, it had a constitution;

·         The fun day would continue to take place if the funding was not approved, however, with fewer entertainments and attractions.

Rubery Festival – Event for Volunteers

Members considered the application before them.

Mr Maslen, the applicant, attended the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         It was noted that the grant for this project was approved last year and this was the second year of holding this event;

·         There were 300 volunteers.

Rubery Festival – Rubery Got Talent

Members considered the application before them.

Mr Maslen, the applicant, attended the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         It was noted that this was the only youth club in Rubery;

·         There will be three categories with approximately ten people in each categoriy taking part;

·         The event was well advertised through Halesowen News and Facebook.

Hunnington PC – Heritage Sign

The Senior Democratic Services Officer gave a brief summary of the application, which covered the amount of funding requested, the total cost of the project and evidence of the impact growth.

There was no representative present to respond to questions from Members.

Romsley PC – Heritage Sign

The Senior Democratic Services Officer gave a brief summary of the application, which covered the amount of funding requested, the total cost of the project and evidence of the impact growth.

There was no representative present to respond to questions from Members.

Second Hagley Guides – In Tents Hagley

The Panel considered the application. The Senior Democratic Services Officer advised that no representative could attend the meeting as they had prior commitments. However, they wished to inform the Panel that the project was sustainable.

Clent Cricket Club – Install Kitchenette/Seating

Members considered the application before them.

Mr David Lally was present at the meeting.  Arising from Members questions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5/18

Avoncroft Arts Society – New fitted kitchen unit for hall

Members considered the application before them.

Ms A Jewson attended the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         A new fitted kitchen was quoted at £4,200;

·         It the grant was not successful the kitchen would be put on hold until a grant was received;

·         The Arts Society is used for various activities, classes and hired out for parties;

·         The facilities are used by residents from Bromsgrove, Rubery, Redditch and other areas outside the district;

·         The current money that was available was used for the new hall room and fire doors.

Wythall Community Association – Upgrade men’s changing toilets

Members considered the application before them.

Representatives were present at the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         The amount of fund requested was £15,800.  The total cost of the project was £20,000.  The balance would be used from donations received;

·         The numbers of people using the facility was increasing and was well used by local residents;

·         If the application was not successful the work would not go ahead;

·         The facility was also used by people with disabilities;

·         The changing facilities were used by many of the users;

·         This was the only park in the village;

·         The Parish Council provided a grant of £12,000 towards maintenance of the park;

·         £20,000 was the best quote provided and this was a fix price contact, including VAT.

St John’s Church – Deterrence of lead left on the roof of the church by forensic marking and installation of a roof alarm 

The Senior Democratic Services Officer gave a brief summary of the application, which covered the amount of funding requested, the total cost of the project and evidence of the impact growth.

There was no representative present to respond to questions from Members.

Crofton Village Hall – New village hall for Crofton Hackett

Members considered the application before them.

Representatives were present at the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         The current village hall was fully utilised;

·         There was a 10 years lease on the hall.  This was owned and run by the Parish Council;

·         The new hall would be used by various events for the community to use;

·         Following the development of the Longbridge site, the community of Cofton Hackett would double in size from 750 households to 1350 households by 2020;

·         Residents had stressed there was a need for a new community hall;

·         The balance would be made up from other funds, including a lottery bid.  The Parish Council was also supporting the application;

·         The building would be leased for £1 per year;

·         It was anticipated that the new hall to be opened by spring next year.

Bromsgrove Rugby Club – Increase size of Kitchen

Members considered the application before them.

A representative was present at the meeting.  Arising from Members questions the following responses were made:

·         The total cost of the project was £44,200 and the amount of funding requested was £15,800;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6/18

Members would be considering the criteria within the Scoring Matrix when reaching their decision in respect of each application.