Agenda and minutes

There were none

RESOLVED: That Councillor Peter Chegwyn was duly elected as Chairman for the municipal year 2024-2025

RESOLVED: That Councillor Jamie Hutchison was duly elected as Vice Chairman for the municipal year 2024-2025

All Members are required to disclose at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter, any disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest in any item(s) being considered at this meeting.

Councillor Graham Burgess declared a non-pecuniary interest in Community items 7 and 9 as he had made awards from his HCC grant

Councillor June Cully declared a non-pecuniary interest in Event item 4 as she had attended the previous event as a stall holder

Councillor Jamie Hutchison declared a pecuniary interest in Community item 5 as treasurer of the organisation.

Councillor Peter Chegwyn declared a non-pecuniary interest in Community item 5 and Event items 1 and 2 as he had attended all previous events.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2024 were signed as a true and correct record.

(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 Tuesday 25 June 2024.  The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes).

There were no deputations but 17 representatives had requested to speak to the Sub Board on their applications.

(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 Tuesday 25 June 2024).

There were none

To provide the Sub Board with Community Grant applications in order that members can determine grant awards.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety providing the Sub Board with Community Fund grant applications in order that members can determine grant awards.

i)             Sarisbury Spartans

Members were advised that despite the name, the teams play in Gosport on local pitches such as Privett Park and Brookers Field. They were expecting between 25 and 30 Gosport based players, a third of the total, to sign up for the next season.

The applicant advised that Gosport players are attracted to this team because of the UEFA qualified coaches.

Members agreed to award £750 using the Chairman’s casting vote

ii)            Priddy’s Hard FC

Members were advised that the team had been playing for 4 years and were in the G&F Solent division 2. The money would be used for kit, footballs and to enable the block booking of pitches.

Members were pleased to see that the team would be part funding these purchases.

Members agreed to award £1,000

iii)           C2U Gosport CIC

Members were advised that C2U had provided a variety of services for the community including a food bank, lunch groups and a breakfast option during the school holidays. Figures show that 3481 people used the foodbank in 23/24, which is expected to rise with the closure of the Trash Café. The try to offer all their services free of charge or at the lowest possible charge.

The applicant advised that they work closely with CAB and MIND send people their way. They believe that it has been shown that providing a healthy breakfast helps not just physically, but mentally and also improved performance at school.

As well as the food provision, C2U also provides a warm hub, a wellbeing coach, arts and crafts sessions and 3,000 children met Santa at their building in the High Street in December 2023.

Members agreed to award £2,500

iv)           Gosport University of the Third Age

The applicant advised that U3A had been running for 30 years but was one of Gosport’s best kept secrets. Their classes and activities are held in a variety of locations and the grant will be used to purchase audio and visual equipment to replace the old out of date and donated items currently being used.

Members agreed to award £1,500

v)            The Friends of Hardway

Councillor Hutchison spoke on behalf of this application and took no part in the voting.

The Friends of Hardway successfully introduced summer activities as a way of preventing or reducing the incidents of ASB in the area. The programme of activities provided the opportunity for 300 children to try something new, and encouraged families to use the area.

Members were advised that the Friends annual membership had been used to pay for the D Day commemorations.

Members agreed to award £3,000

vi)           Gosport Unit 437 of the Sea Cadet Corp

The applicant explained that the grant was needed to purchase a second hand RIB and its outboard motor. This would enable more training sessions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To provide the Sub Board with Community Event Grant applications in order that members can determine grant awards.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety providing the Sub Board with Community Event grant applications in order that members can determine grant awards.

i)             The Friends of Leesland Park

Members were advised that monies unspent during covid had funded last year’s event.

Members were impressed by how much time and help in kind is donated to the event, particularly by the college, and were pleased that only part funding had been requested. They all recognised it as a proven community event.

Members agreed to award £1,068

ii)            Fortonfest

Members were advised that this was a two-day event this year and were happy to support the Saturday.

In answer to a Members question, the applicant advised that the cost of toilets and a need for an increased number, had caused a lot of the increase, and there had been a reduction in income from sponsorship and advertising. Members suggested that the applicant could seek advice from other event managers to find ways to either reduce costs or increase income.

Members were pleased to hear that the applicant was considering donating money from the profits of the event to install a defibrillator near Forton Park.

Members agreed to award £2,500

iii)           Montserrat Events CIC

Members were advised that planning for this event was already well underway with stall holders and vendors already booked, sponsorship in place and equipment purchased. More money was being allocated to bring in bigger musical names, but the event would still be free to attend. Income would be from bars vendors and the funfair.

The applicant reminded Members that weather has been the biggest issue for the Sunday last year and insurance is in place to cover costs should it be inclement again. The event plan for the Safety Action Group would include security.

Members were pleased that the event was to be free so council tax payers would not be paying twice.

Members agreed to award £10,000

iv)           The Big Eat CIC

Members were advised that the organisers wanted to build on the success of the previous year, which had been made possible by a grant awarded by GBC following the cancellation of the event on another site.

The applicant advised that the rest of the costs would be covered by sponsorship, bars and vendors and the funfair.

Members agreed to award £10,000

v)            Gosport Waterfront Festival

Members were advised that the festival had been running for 24 years but this year brought many changes in particular a different management team.

The applicant advised that there would be an emphasis on local businesses being used as much as possible, and complimentary tickets being given to community groups such as Gosport Hospital Radio for raffle prizes, and in lieu of services. There had also been an Early Bird period for reduced price tickets.

Members were advised that the figures submitted were based on previous events and it was hoped to keep the costs at the same or slightly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To provide the Sub Board with Heritage Fund grant applications in order that Members can determine grant awards.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety providing the Sub Board with Heritage Fund grant applications in order that members can determine grant awards.

i)             41-43 Stoke Road

Members were advised that the applicant had originally met all the criteria for a HAZ grant, and indeed the money was awarded but had to be rescinded as they had been unable to meet the timescale.

Officers advised that planning permission to remove the aluminium shopfront and replace with more traditional wooden framing had been sought and granted. Although not listed it was an important building in the scope of Stoke Road.

Members were concerned that the improvements could be carried out using the grant, and if then sold, the owner would benefit by an increase in value. The applicant advised that the family had owned the building for 30 years and had no plans to sell, but agreed to having a “claw back” clause in the grant agreement.

Members were appreciative of the investment already made by the applicant and their commitment to the building, and suggested a visit to the site.

A Member wished to have it on record that they did not agree with awarding any grant to this applicant.

Members agreed to award £40,000 by 4 votes for and 1 against.

ii)            U3A Gosport

Members were advised that since submitting the grant forms, the applicant had been advised that a more professional and longer lasting, potentially permanent exhibition could be achieved which would attract school groups as local history features on the curriculum, so an increased amount was requested.

Members agreed to award £800

iii)           The Historical Diving Society

The applicant explained that the project consisted of two parts, the restoration of a building, making it watertight and accessible, and now the development of a museum within that building. This would include the interpretation and exhibition of objects, as well as facilities for the public.

Members were advised that it was the development of the exhibition that the grant would go toward. The museum, once installed, would open for longer periods and would create new jobs and bring visitors to the area, which would hopefully benefit other businesses and services locally.

Members all agreed that this was a first class project and congratulated the applicant on what had been achieved to date.

Members agreed to award £25,000

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board:

Considered the applications and agreed:

1.    A grant of £40,000 to be paid to 41-43 Stoke Road

2.    A grant of £800 to be paid to the U3A

3.    A grant of £25,000 to be paid to the Historical Diving Society.