Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and took a roll call of Members present. Franca Currall, Solicitor, provided a virtual meeting explanation.

None as all Members were present.

None as all Members were present.

Cllr Hillier declared a personal interest in the application from Albion in the Community as the organisation regularly operates in his ward of Bentswood.

Cllr Belsey declared a personal interest in the application from East Grinstead Town Council as he is an East Grinstead Town Councillor.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet Grants Panel, held on 17 March 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

None.

The Chairman noted that he had received a representation from Cllr Roger Webb, in support the application from Copthorne Cricket Club.

The Chairman also noted that he had received representations from Cllr Robert Salisbury and Cllr Pete Bradbury which supported the application from Friends of St Marks Primary School.

Emma Sheridan, Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance, introduced the report which presented 11 Community Grant applications for consideration by the Panel and sought to provide information on the plans to review the grants scheme, including a proposed suspension of the next Community & Economic Development grants round till 1 September 2020 as well as an extension of time for the Release of a number of S106 projects delayed by Covid-19.

The Vice-Chairman noted the financial difficulties facing the Council and sought clarification as to whether the suspension to September has been predicted in the budget and whether the money will be ringfenced.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance confirmed that it will have to be a decision that the Panel makes and done so in parallel with the Council’s Corporate Plan and Budget. She added that there is money allocated in the budget for the grants however the Council is facing a dynamic financial situation.

The Chairman expressed that the Council has a duty of care to the most vulnerable and in-need residents which will need to be addressed in the coming months and years.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance introduced the 11 applications for the Community and Economic Development Grants. The applications which were recommended for consideration, approval and refusal by the Panel are set out below:

4Sight Vision

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance presented the application from 4Sight Vision which sought a grant of £1,386 to fund their outreach service that provides one-to-one support with low vision assessments.

The Vice-Chairman expressed his agreement with the officer’s recommendation and enquired what is contained in the kindness pack that they offer.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance confirmed that she did not have the information immediately to hand however she would share it with the Panel outside of the meeting.

Members were supportive of the application.

Albion in the Community

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance introduced the application from Albion in the Community which sought £4,999 to part-fund their Premier League Kicks youth project. Unfortunately, under the current circumstances where no face  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.