Minutes:
William Hawkins, Economic Development Officer, presented to the Cabinet Grants Panel eight micro business grant applications totalling £11,921. He noted that one application is for the hire of an apprentice and that both Ouh La La and Sussex Facilities Management Ltd have received grants in 2017 & 2019 respectively. He added that Pera Midtown has not submitted all the required information in time for the Panel and therefore recommended it be deferred until that information is received. It was also confirmed that Cerowski Architects Ltd have requested to amend their request from £1,654 to £1,833 due to inflationary pressures on the equipment.
The applications which were recommended for consideration by the Panel are set out
below:
Organisation |
Location |
Purpose for which award is sought |
Award Requested |
Award Suggested |
Angie's Nails and Beauty |
Haywards Heath |
Apprentice |
£1,500 |
£1,500 |
Men do Pilates |
Hurstpier- point |
Website development and marketing |
£2,000 |
£2,000 |
Sussex Facilities Management Ltd |
Burgess Hill |
Marketing |
£908 |
£908 |
Cerowski Architects Ltd |
East Grinstead |
Purchase of new equipment |
£1,654 |
£1,833 |
Seasons Art Class Haywards Heath |
Haywards Heath |
Marketing |
£1,360 |
£1,360 |
Ouh La La |
Haywards Heath |
Renovation of new store |
£2,000 |
£2,000 |
Clearthink Counselling |
Hassocks |
Purchase of new equipment |
£499 |
£499 |
Pera Midtown |
Burgess Hill |
Marketing |
£2,000 |
£0 |
Total |
|
|
£11,921 |
£10,100 |
The Member noted the previous grant for Sussex Facilities Management Ltd and then the new grant before the Panel. She enquired what service will the company be providing.
The Economic Development Officer replied that the company goes to other companies and offer personal support, premises safety and methods to reduce energy consumption.
The Vice-Chairman sought clarification as to whether officers turn down applications due to the applicant targeting specific markets and if there is any evidence of discrimination.
The Economic Development Officer explained that business is just one branch of a wider business that offers Pilates however the branch before the Panel caters to just Men. He assured the Vice-Chairman that officers do consider whether there is any potential for discrimination.
The Chairman expressed delight in seeing an application for an apprenticeship and an application from the north of the District. He asked what business Seasons Art
Class Haywards Heath offers to customers.
The Economic Development Officer confirmed that the business sells a 14 week art class course which is their main source of revenue and separately support community events and community exhibitions.
The Chairman noted that rent-free period is usually offered to business when they start their tenancy and questioned if Ouh La La is getting that as well as the grant.
The Economic Development Officer outlined that the business will be relocating to the Orchards Shopping Centre and will receive a three-month rent free period. He added that both officers and the landlord are happy with the arrangement.
RESOLVED
The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed:
Supporting documents: