Agenda and minutes

None as all Members were present.

None as all Members were present.

Councillor Belsey declared a personal interest in the Microbusiness Grant application from Kitchens Bespoke as he knows the applicant on a personal level.

Councillor Hillier declared a pecuniary and personal interest in the Microbusiness Grant application from Haywards Heath Business Association as he is a committee member who sits on the Association. He confirmed that he would remove himself from the meeting for the duration of discussion and voting on the item.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 18 June 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman had no urgent business.

No representations were received.

Mark Healy, Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager, introduced the 14 Microbusiness Grant applications. In the previous meeting of the panel, he noted an amendment that officers wished to request for one applicant’s project. Miall’s did not include VAT in their project costs. However businesses that are not VAT registered are entitled to include VAT in their grant applications, as noted in paragraph 10. He asked the Panel whether the award to this applicant could be increased by 20 per cent to cover the VAT costs. Members were supportive of the revision.

All the applications were assessed against the criteria of delivering wider outreach, assisting with the delivery of new business lines, enabling more employees to be taken on, and delivering benefits to the community. Each business has also passed Officers due diligence checks.

The applications which were recommended for consideration and approval by the Panel are set out below:

Holly-Jade Ryder, Business Development Officer, presented the application from Get Marketing Ltd which sought £724.50 to support the cost of purchasing a laptop. She did note that in 2017 the applicant was awarded £950 to support the costs of purchasing equipment for the business as a new start-up. The business initially applied for a laptop, however following grant panel approval the applicant agreed with the team that she would instead use the grant to purchase a new desktop, printer and iPad for the business.

A Member enquired whether there are criteria for applicants who have submitted multiple applications or those who submit applications every year.

The Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager explained that the eligibility criteria are set by the County Council (who provide the funding). Whilst businesses may only submit one growth and/or one apprenticeship grant application per year, there is no limit for businesses submitting repeat or multiple applications in subsequent years. He added that if the Panel were to take a view of reducing and/or restricting applications from previous applications then that condition could be introduced going forward.

The Vice-Chairman expressed concern that the applicant took the decision when they received the initial grant to change the items that they sought to purchase, however they are now coming back for a grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Mark Healy, Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager, introduced the scheme which presented one further application of the five from interested stores within East Grinstead. Market Square Food and Wine, who hold a prominent position on East Grinstead High Street, have requested a grant for the full paint and redecoration of their shop front. They seek to provide the redesign through a contractor based in East Grinstead.

The Storefront Improvement Grant which was recommended for consideration and approval by the Panel is set out below:-

The Chairman and Ward Member for East Grinstead noted the need to provide a refresh to the shopfront, referencing the time in which the ‘M’ from storefront sign fell off.

Members were supportive of the application.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed that:

                      i.        a Storefront Improvement Grant of £1,340 be granted to Market Square Food and Wine to complete a redecoration and repair of the existing storefront.

Mark Healy, Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager, introduced the report which sought the Cabinet Grants Panel’s approval to fund the Council’s membership of the Greater Brighton Economic Board (GBEB) for the 2019/20 financial year. He outlined that Mid Sussex District Council has been an active member of GBEB for several years; the cost of membership in previous years has been funded by the Community Development Budget however due to restructuring and changes within the department, officers propose to fund the membership through the Economic Development Budget. This was felt a more appropriate source of funding.

The application which was recommended for consideration and approval by the Panel is set out below:

The Chairman stated that the return on the money paid to GBEB is very significant.

A Member enquired whether the Council would be members of GBEB if the grant wasn’t approved.

The Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager confirmed that if the funds were not sourced then the membership would lapse.

The Vice-Chairman believed it to be a good news story. He sought clarification on the viability of GBEB if a key player drops out of partnership.

The Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager clarified that the Board has built up financial reserves that would, in the unlikely event that someone dropped out, have funds to sustain a short-term lack of financial contribution. He added that the majority of members have shown a consistent support for the Board and that Arun District Council have also expressed an interest to join.

Members were supportive of the application.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed that:

                      i.        That £23,121.00 from the Economic Development budget is used to fund the Council’s membership of the Greater Brighton Economic Board (GBEB) for the 2019/20 financial year.