Agenda item

To provide 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. A list of all applications made to date with amounts requested is in Appendix 1.

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 the report.

 

i)              Golden Lion Football Club

 

Members were advised that although the club uses a pub in Fareham as its base, the majority of its players are from Gosport and Brookers Field is their home pitch.

 

The applicant explained that due to lack of floodlights they are having to pay extra to train at Brune Park. The grant would pay for portable floodlights and a second away strip.

 

Members were interested to hear that the club will also be training a female referee (the first team to have this) and when they are ready to expand will be including a second male team, or a female junior team and are looking for ways to involve females in all aspects of the club.

 

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

 

ii)             Lee on the Solent Community Association.

 

Members were advised that the grant was needed to deal with rotting fire doors in the main hall. If this issue was not addressed there would probably be an increase in building insurance and the possibility of closure by the Fire Brigade on safety grounds.

 

Members who are familiar with the site agreed that its position, West facing, means that it is hit hard by the wind and sea air.

 

Members felt that the price quoted for the job seemed reasonable.

 

Members agreed to award the full amount of £2,287

 

iii)           Green Dragon Football Club

 

Members agreed to defer this application to ensure all the required information has been received.

 

iv)           Gosport Borough Cricket Club

 

Members were advised that the grant was required for the replacement of practice nets. The practice area is used by the club, other local clubs and it is open to the public. The current nets are, according to the club, beyond repair, and would need to be ordered before Christmas to ensure they were in place by March. Other smaller nets had been purchased by the club.

 

Members agreed to award the full amount of £3,678.

 

v)            Rowner Bowling Club

 

Members were advised that the grant was required to fund a replacement secondary fox proof fence to be used seasonally and stored out of season.

 

The applicant assured Members that the level of electricity running through the fence would not harm the foxes, or any child who ran into it.

 

Members agreed in principle that they would fund the fence but required Officers to clarify the terms of the lease and consider other budgets to fund the project.

 

vi)           Gosport Allotment Holders & Gardeners Association

 

Members were advised that the grant would fund the building of a trading store on the new allotment site planned for Manor Way, Lee on the Solent, similar to those already on five other allotment sites. The store acts as a hub for the tenants, and provides seeds plants and trees to order as well as advice help and support.

 

Members felt that the store had an essential part to play in teaching people to grow their own food, and the fact that this was a second site showed that there was a demand.

 

The applicant agreed that there would have to be a lease for the land the store sits on.

 

Members agreed to award the full amount of £4,000

 

vii)          Willow Incredible Garden

 

The applicant had provided Members with a handout showing photos of the site and work so far.

 

A Member recognised the health benefits, both physical and mental of open space and fresh air and thought it an excellent idea for a surgery to use its outside space to create a wellbeing area, which would provide a relaxed consultation area and opportunities for social interaction.

 

Members agreed that no decision could be made until Officers had circulated the breakdown of what the grant would cover, and a site visit arranged. Therefore, the decision would be deferred to the December meeting.

 

viii)         Harbour Cancer Care

 

The applicant explained that the charity had employed her as a consultant to raise the funds required to keep the charity running. The charity offers all of its services for free, with no waiting list providing a warm and constant building, and acts as a warm hub. They explained that they had been particularly affected by covid as so many of their volunteers and fundraisers were vulnerable and had to stay away.

 

Members were advised that the grant would be used for non staff running costs including rent,stationery, insurance, water and maintenance. The money would help cover the costs until the new fundraising campaign and strategy kicked in.

 

Members agreed to award the sum of £5,000.

 

ix)           Late Item Gosport Museum & Art Gallery

 

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 100B(4)(a) of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985

 

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

 

Members were advised that the grant would be used to fund a free to attend Music at the Museum Programme as part of its Winter offer. This would be an add on to the already in place programme of activities on a Friday evening. Similar events had been trialed and the free event was far better supported than that with a charge.

 

The applicant explained that it would provide an opportunity to showcase local talent, with some of the money used to buy a PA system that maybe could be rented out.

 

Members welcomed the idea as it would bring people to the High Street and Museum for something other than shopping and would offer somewhere for any to go regardless of their means and would provide company for those experiencing loneliness.

 

Members agreed to award the full amount of £1,600

 

 

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board:

 

Considered the applications in the report and:

1.    A grant of £1,000 to be paid to Golden Lion Football Club

2.    A grant of £2,287 to be paid to Lee on the Solent Community Association

3.    Defer the application from Green Dragon Football Club

4.    A grant of £3,678 to be paid to Gosport Cricket Club

5.    A grant of £4,000 to be paid to Rowner Bowling Club

6.    A grant of £4,000 to be paid to Gosport Allotment Holders & Gardeners Association

7.    Defer the application from Willow Incredible Garden

8.    A grant of £5,000 to be paid to Harbour Cancer Care

9.    A grant of £1,600 to be paid to Gosport Museum & Art Gallery.