Agenda and draft minutes

There were none

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Philpott who is a permanent replacement for Councillor Burgess.

Councillor Philpott declared that in his role of Hampshire County Councillor he had made awards from his budget to several organisations including Gosport Marine Festival, C2U and the Lee Hub.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2024 were signed as a true and correct record

The Chairman advised that since the last meeting the Sub Board had visited some of the Heritage Grant recipients and were impressed by the amount of work and use of craftsmen in the projects, especially the Alverstoke project which was a real labour of love.

·         (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 24 September 2024.  The total time for deputations in favour and against a proposal shall not exceed 10 minutes).

There were none

·         (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 24 September).

There were none

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

i)             1^st Lee on the Solent Scout Group

The applicant explained that the toilets used by the Scouts and all the groups that hire the building are no longer fit for purpose and require rebuilding. Members were reminded that although GBC owns the land, the building and the responsibility for upkeep falls to the Scouts.

In answer to a Members question, regarding an increase in quoted costs,the applicant explained that they would have to look at every aspect of the costs to see where savings could be made including project managing themselves. Hire costs would be increased to add to the groups contribution to the project.

Officers explained that any successful applicant signs a document to declare that should the project remain unfulfilled or abandoned, the grant would have to be returned.

Members agreed to award £5,000

ii)            The Repair Café

Members were advised that a large proportion of items being brought to the group for repair are electrical and the insurers are now insisting that they are all PAT tested. The grant would be used to purchase the necessary machine, as the organisation they normally borrow from has to move premises and put their equipment into storage.

The applicant advise that they were going to run a number of events away from their premises to take their repair facility into the community. The Chairman agreed to help promote the first event at Fort Brockhurst.

Members agreed to award £375

iii)           Y Services

Members were advised that Y Services were a youth charity that had been in the Elson area for 13 years providing support and a safe place in which to develop coping skills and confidence.

In answer to a Members question, the applicant explained that they would be increasing the amount of campaigns on Facebook and other social media platforms, and visiting more schools to increase outreach. There would be a programme of one off activities to encourage new members.

The applicant explained that the grant would be used towards public liabilities insurance and developing a service to record and evidence outcomes.

Members agreed to award £1,200

iv)           C2U

The applicant explained that very few local groups now put on Santa’s grottos. Last year they attracted 3,000 children and were hoping for 5,000 this year. The money raised is used to support the warm hub.

Members were advised that although visitors are asked for a £1 donation many would not be able to afford this, and therefore this does not yield enough to cover the costs.

In answer to a Members question the applicant explained that the grant would pay for the building of the sleigh, which would be a non repeatable cost.

Members advised the applicant to try various ways to get the toys/gifts donated by the community and businesses, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

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

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

i)             Portsmouth Harbour Marine CIC

The applicant explained that they had taken over as Chairman having been associated with many aspects of the Festival over the years.

Members were advised that numbers attending the Festival had grown year on year helped probably by the use of Walpole Park for some of the activities, and removal of the need to pre register for the activities.

The applicant advised the grant would be used to ensure the event could continue to be free, and would cover baseline costs for services and land hire fee, the latter would come back to the council.

Members were keen that advertising and marketing of the event would happen outside of the Borough to ensure visitors came, which would bring income to businesses in the area.

Members agreed to award £5,500

ii)            Gosport Rotary Club

Members were advised that the Michaelmas Fair had taken place almost every year for the past 34 years and remained a free event. 120 stalls, music and games provided a village atmosphere and local charities who manned stalls previously reported profits of over £20,000.

The applicant advised that costs were now close to revenue and it was getting harder to hold funds to set up the following year.

The Chairman and Members wanted to record their grateful thanks for all the work put into this and all other Rotary events.

Members agreed to award £2,945

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board:

Considered the applications in the report and agreed:

1.    A grant of £5,500 to be paid to Portsmouth Harbour Marine CIC

2.    A grant of £2,945 to be paid to Gosport Rotary Club

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 & Community Safety providing the Sub Board with Heritage Fund grant applications in order that members can determine grant awards.

i)             Military Heritage Museum

Members were advised that the group consists of about 20 members, half of which are ex-servicemen, who travel around the country in their own vehicles displaying military artifacts from as along ago as Ancient Greece and 1066 and are the only pop up military museum in the country. They currently use gazebos, which are not suitable in windy or very wet weather. The trailer would enable them to keep better protection and security for the artifacts, and would only need one vehicle for transport. They also confimed that they have a secure location to store the trailer.

The group have been visited by approximately 160,000 people, and promote Gosport and its heritage at every talk or show. Group members pay their own petrol costs and other expenses are hopefully covered by donations.

Members agreed to award £7,500

ii)            D-Day Fellowship

The D-Day Fellowship had previously been awarded a grant of £5,000 conditional on the balance of the required fund having been raised. This previous grant would be superceded by any decision at this meeting.

Members agreed that Stokes Bay was a relevant site for a D-Day memorial and would join memorials at Hardway, the Hospital and Godsport Housing as part of Gosport’s wartime story. All were surprised that this had not been actioned historically, as many memorials financed by public subscription had been erected soon after the conflict.

The applicant advised that they had received good public support shown by attendance at the Vehicle Rally and Ground Dedication ceremony, but this had not resulted in the financial donations hoped for.

The Chairman stated that the Council did not support the moving of the Canadian memorial. Members were advised that if the Canadian memorial was not moving the project would go ahead without incorporating the stone.

In answer to a Members question, the Sub Board were advised that the National Lottery only award funds to the restoration of memorials and not new builds.

Members agreed to award £5,000

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board:

Considered the applications in the report and agreed:

1. A grant of £7,500 to be paid to the Military Heritage Museum

2. A grant of £5,000 to be paid to the D-Day Fellowship