Agenda item

To provide a summary of the five applications receieved to the Heritage Fund in this funding period in order that members can determine if they wish to award grant funding for the proposals set out in this report.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Corporate Policy and Community Safety providing a summary of the five applications received to the Heritage Fund in this funding period in order that Members can determine if they wish to award grant funding for the proposals set out in the report.

1.    St. John’s Arts 2024 Programme Exhibition Panels

The applicant explained that this was an arts programme running in collaboration with the Gosport & Fareham Multi-Academy Trust (in particular Brune Park and Bay House), which had received a grant from the Arts Council England. They produce a programme of arts activities with the focus on young people, but wish to extend into workshops and dance events to include families and the community.

Members were advised that the grant was needed to purchase movable, illuminated screens to enable the mounting of exhibitions in St.John’s Church, where the walls are dark and easily damaged.

Members agreed to award the full amount of £3,545

2.    The Queen’s Hotel 143 Queens Road

The applicant explained he had recently replaced the sash windows in the upper floor and they were working well. The grant will be put towards replacing sash windows in the middle floor and repairs to the third storey roof.

Members were advised that the pub was up and running and its real ales were proving popular. It was now hoped to put the whole building back into use for the benefit of the community and in particular essential workers.

In answer to a Member’s question, the applicant explained that he had taken on the project in order to preserve the building for future generations and did not expect to make a profit due to the amount of work and investment required.

Members agreed to award the sum of £10,000

3.    2,2A&B, 6 and 6A Church Road Alverstoke.

Members were advised that the grant would go towards the repair and redecoration of the external joinery, including shopfronts and sash windows.

The applicant gave Members some of the history of the building and explained that she had been the owner since 2004, and it had been a labour of love to maintain a listed building which is 250 years old. Advice from a conservation specialist had been sought and it would require skilled work to provide a package of repair for the buildings.

In answer to a Members question, the applicant explained that in order to keep the businesses thriving in the village, she kept the rents at a reasonable rate and the amount received does not cover the amount of maintenance required.

Members understood the impact on the surrounding properties should these fall into disrepair.

Members agreed to award £33,500, which was subsequently increased to £40,000.

4.    2 High Street

Members were advised that the brick frontage of the building was constructed of mathematical tiles, which are a specialist item, only manufactured by one or two companies in the country, and it was the delay in obtaining the viability assessment that prevented the applicant from being eligible for HSHAZ funding.

Members were advised that the business leasing the building aspires to increase in size by bringing into use two extra rooms and increasing the staff to 18. This can only happen if the repairs take place and create usable sound spaces.

The Chairman was interested to hear of the buildings history as a brewery with stables and hoped to visit.

Members agreed to award £40,000

5.    25 High Street

Members were advised that the property has a very large walled rear garden, which the applicant was hoping to develop as a garden which would be open to the community as a tool to teach how to grow fruit and herbs that can be used in remedies and cosmetics.

The applicant explained that the grant would be used to replace the crittal windows at first floor height. The ground floor will be developed to create a wholefood café selling organic teas.

Members agreed to award £10,500

RESOLVED: That the Sub Board

Considered the applications in the report and:

1.    A grant of £3,545 to be paid to St. John’s Arts 2024 Programme

2.    A grant of £10,000 to be paid to The Queen’s Hotel 143 Queens Road

3.    A grant of £40,000 to be paid to 2,2A&B, 6 and 6A Church Road Alverstoke

4.    A grant of £40,000 to be paid to 2 High Street

5.    A grant of £10,500 to be paid to 25 High Street.