Agenda item

BTAC SMALL GRANT SCHEME

Meeting of Boston Town Area Committee (BTAC), Wednesday, 2nd October, 2019 6.30 pm (Item 27.)

(A report by Maddy Eyre, Local Communities Development Officer and BTAC Grant Administrator)

Minutes:

[Councillor Stephen Woodliffe withdrew to the public gallery and took no part in the debate or vote on the grant applications.]

The Local Communities Development Officer and BTAC Grant Administrator presented a report which set out the details of the applications received in the current round by the Small Grants Working Group in respect of applications received for the current round.

The Local Communities Development Officer and BTAC Grant Administrator presented a report, which set out the details of applications considered by the Small Grants Working Group received so far in the Municipal Year.

Normally, there would be four rounds of grant applications, but the first round had been delayed due to the May elections and had been amalgamated into the second round. A sheet detailing the Working Group’s recommendations and suggested awards was circulated to the meeting.

In response to questions, it was explained that Singing For Fun was an over-50s Royal Voluntary Services project and the group had a professional teacher and sang in homes across Boston. The East Lincolnshire Downs Syndrome Family Support Group had identified a need within Boston and developed an independent group.

During Members’ debate, there was appreciation that the message about the grant scheme was getting across and resulting in a variety of applications. The issue of increasing the grants budget was raised, as it would be unfortunate to have to refuse an application when the Committee had a £70,000 contingency in the budget and it was agreed that the budget be increased by £5,000.

Some Members felt that it should be a requirement of grant applications that local contractors be used. The Head of Place and Space explained that the Council’s Procurement Rules allowed for local business quotes. In response to further calls that the grant applicants be restricted to using local contractors, the Chairman suggested that wording be included in the advice to applicants to use local contractors if possible.

Action: ME

Add to BTAC Small Grants guidelines “Where reasonably possible, look to local businesses to carry out work”.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Small Grants Working Group budget be increased by £5,000 in the current year.

2. The recommendations of the Small Grant Working Group be endorsed as follows:

Applicant	Project	Amount requested	Suggested Award	Working Group recommendations
Willoughby Road Allotments	Installation of an electric supply at the allotments	£934.92	£934.92	Award the full amount requested.
1^st Boston Scouts	Purchase camping equipment	£1,000	£1,000	Award the full amount requested.
Singing For Fun	Purchase small percussion instruments, music stands, branded scarves and ties, and contribute towards volunteer expenses and travel to performance venues.	£1,000	£1,000	Award the full amount requested.
Forbes Road Bowling Club	Repairing the fence at the Bowling Club site	£1,000	£800.00	To award a contribution to the cost of repairing the fence proportionate to the number of BTAC beneficiaries.
East Lincolnshire Downs Syndrome Family Support Group	Assist with one year’s rent at St Christopher’s Church	£620.00	£620.00	Award the full amount requested on the condition that they have a year to source alternative ways to pay their rent.
Blackfriars Arts Centre Ltd	Contribute towards the cost of equipping a classroom at Shodfriars Hall to conduct guided tours from trained guides to increase awareness of their plans for developing the building into a community and heritage centre	£1,000	NOT TO FUND	Invite the applicant to reapply when they have secured more funds to begin this project.
Centenary Methodist Chapel	Contribute to the cost of planned programme of refurbishment work within the building	£1,000	£800.00	To award £600 for replacement flooring and £200 for improvements to the performance area on the condition that this work is carried out at the start of their programme of refurbishment.