Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber
Contact: Email: committees@midsussex.gov.uk
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Election of Chairman Minutes: Councillor Hillier nominated Councillor Webster as Chairman of the Panel and this was seconded by Councillor Belsey. There were no further nominations and Councillor Webster was duly elected.
RESOLVED
Councillor Webster be elected Chairman of the Cabinet Grants Panel for 2019/20.
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Election of Vice-Chairman Minutes: The Chairman nominated Councillor Hillier as Vice-Chairman and this was seconded by Councillor Belsey. There were no further nominations.
RESOLVED
Councillor Hillier be elected Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet Grants Panel for 2019/20.
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To note Substitutes in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4 - Substitutes at Meetings of Committees etc. Minutes: There were no substitutes as all Members were present.
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To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: None as all Members were present.
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To receive Declaration of Interests from Members in respect of any matter on the Agenda. Minutes: Councillor Hillier declared a personal interest in the Microbusiness Grant Scheme application from Bright Light Film Ltd as he is a member of the Haywards Heath Business Association and the business is also a member. He also declared a personal interest in the release of S106 Developer Contributions for the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme as he is a Member of West Sussex County Council. He confirmed that he would remove himself from the discussion and voting on both items.
Councillor Webster declared a personal interest in the Microbusiness Grant Scheme application from Everest Events as he is a member of the East Grinstead Business Association and the business is also a member. He confirmed that he would remove himself from the discussion and voting on the item.
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To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Panel held on 16 April 2019 PDF 86 KB Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 April 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
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To consider any items that the Chairman agrees to take as urgent business. Minutes: The Chairman has no urgent business.
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To receive representations from Members of the Council on the applications. Minutes: The Chairman confirmed that he had received a representation from Councillor Robert Salisbury, expressing strong support for the Facility Grant application from Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club.
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Minutes: Rob Anderton, Divisional Leader for Commercial Services & Contracts, introduced the report which requested the release of funds from the Martlets Relocation Specific Reserve relating to the closure of Martlets Hall and to consider a request from Burgess Hill Theatre Club and Clair Hall.
Burgess Hill Theatre Club used to stage annual pantomimes at Martlets Hall however this year the family pantomime will be held at Burgess Hill Girl’s School. In order to enable this to happen, the Club will be required to pay £520 for a screen to project scenes onto and also to allow for banners to be located outside the venue informing visitors where to park near to the venue. Similarly, Clair Hall now provides a venue for Burgess Hill Musical Society performances which require fly bars and associated winches, pulleys, clamps and steel wire rope for their scenery and lighting. The total cost of the supply and installation of this equipment is £12,500.
The Chairman sought clarification that this fund had been negotiated between NewRiver and Mid Sussex District Council to cover a Mid Sussex District Council owned asset. This was confirmed. The Vice-Chairman sought further information on applications similar to the applications provided in the report.
The Divisional Leader for Commercial Services & Contracts confirmed that- among other bids- the fund has been used to support Sussex Gymnastics Club to move to the Triangle, University of the Third Age to move to St Andrews Church and the Burgess Hill History Society to save the mosaic wall in the hall.
A Member noted that Clair Hall is a recipient of the grant. He sought clarification on whether the grant is for Clair Hall or the Burgess Hill Musical Society.
The Divisional Leader for Commercial Services & Contracts explained that the request for funding came from Places Leisure, who manage Claire Hall on behalf of the Council; however it was specifically for the facilitation of the Burgess Hill Musical Society who needed to move.
The Chairman expressed the importance of supporting organisations that have been required to move due to the Burgess Hill Town Centre Redevelopment.
Members were supportive of the application.
RESOLVED
The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed that:
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Minutes: [Councillor Hillier removed himself from the meeting at 4:40]
Nathan Spilsted, Strategic Development Project Manager, introduced the report which sought approval for Mid Sussex District Council to transfer earmarked Section 106 developer contributions to West Sussex County Council (WSCC) to facilitate the delivery of the agreed projects within the Burgess Hill Place and Connectivity Programme. He drew Member’s attention to Paragraph 4 of the report which outlined the sources of funding for the project. He explained that the approach to transfer the sums to WSCC was proposed as it would aid the scheme’s delivery by negating the need for individual requests for the release of required S106 funds whilst the multi-stage projects progress and by simplifying Programme governance.
A Member felt it very sensible that the Council supports an important aspect of the scheme which feeds in to the Burgess Hill Growth Plan.
The Chairman felt reassured by the governance structure in place to deliver the Plan and the £10.92m funding already secured from Local Growth Funding.
Members were supportive of the application.
RESOLVED
The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed that:
[Councillor Hillier returned to the discussion at 4:50]
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Store Front Grant Scheme PDF 87 KB Additional documents: Minutes: William Hawkins, Economic Development Officer, introduced the report which presented the first applications for the Storefront Improvement Grant Scheme. The purpose of the scheme was to support independent retailers through the provision of grants in order to improve the physical appearance of their high street stores. These projects can range from redecoration to new or replacement physical features such as signage and awnings
The Storefront Improvement Grants which was recommended for consideration and approval by the Panel is set out below:-
The Economic Development Officer presented the application from Decorus London Ltd who sought the grant to complete a redecoration and repair of the existing storefront.
A Member sought clarification on a differences contained in the report, specifically whether the grant is sought for a complete redecoration of the storefront or whether if it will be used to add a layer of paint to the existing storefront.
The Economic Development Officer explained that some sections of the storefront have become dilapidated and require new wooden panelling however there are some sections of the storefront that only require a new coat of paint.
Members were supportive of both Storefront Grant applications.
The Chairman noted Paragraph 6 of the report and sought the opinions of Members on how to approach the matter of the scheme’s unallocated funding.
The Vice-Chairman believed that it would be best to continue to offer the scheme to the businesses in the area and then, if unallocated after 6 months, promote the scheme to other areas in the District.
A Member enquired whether the East Grinstead Business Association has been contacted.
Mark Healy, Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager, explained that there was concerns raised before the scheme started that open-bidding would dilute the impact of the scheme; the view that was arrived at was a focus on one area. He confirmed that the team did seek to engage with the Town Council and the Business Association however those who were spoken to were not engaged with businesses in the retail sector.
The Member expressed that he was happy to see the unallocated funding rolled over until everyone sees the benefit of the scheme.
The Vice-Chairman questioned whether there would be the possibility of match-funding grants.
The Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager clarified that West Sussex County Council would have to agree any measure of flexibility to the scheme.
The Chairman expressed support for rolling over the unallocated funding to the next round of funding for the scheme.
The Panel agreed to the rolling over of the unallocated funding to the next round of funding for the scheme.
RESOLVED
The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed that:
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Corporate Grant Schemes PDF 119 KB Additional documents: Minutes: Kate Wilson, Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy & Performance, introduced the four Facility Grants (Release of S.106 contributions). She introduced the Facility Grant application from East Grinstead Rugby Football Club which was deferred at a previous meeting of the Panel as concerns were raised over the building safety and compliance. At the previous Panel it was suggested that the organisation employ a building surveyor to assess the building and provide proposals to address the issues. The organisation has since employed a building surveyor whom is content with the proposal put forward
The Chairman explained that he is content with the proposal which had addressed the concerns that he had initially raised during the Panel that reviewed the grant. Members were supportive of the application.
The Business Unit Leader for Community, Performance and Partnerships then presented the remaining three Facility Grants. The Facility Grants which were recommended for consideration and approval by the Panel are set out below:-
The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy & Performance presented the grant for Crawley Down Community Centre Association whom sought a grant to refurbish the café bar, meeting room and outdoor paving at the Haven Centre to modernise the facilities and improve the visitor experience.
A Member enquired whether the organisation is sustainable and well-run, enough so that they can sustain the maintenance of the building going forward.
The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy & Performance confirmed that officers did consider it, and they feel that they are in a good position, working towards achieving a sustainable position.
The Member sought clarification on the figures recommended for approval
The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy & Performance confirmed that the figure outlined in the report was indeed correct. She had, in error, verbalised the total project cost rather than the recommended sum during the introduction.
Members were supportive of the application.
The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy & Performance presented the application from Hassocks Community Association whom sought a grant to fund the installation of automated doors, as part of a wider project to replace the existing windows and doors, to improve access to Adastra Hall.
Members were supportive of the application.
The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy & Performance presented the application from Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club which sought to contribute to the funding of the development of a replacement clubhouse with additional parking at Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club, Whitemans Green.
The Vice-Chairman believed that Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club is an excellent organisation that runs an excellent facility.
A Member enquired whether there is any additional funding available to support the organisation further.
The Business Unit ... view the full minutes text for item 12. |
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Microbusiness Grant Scheme PDF 93 KB Additional documents: Minutes: Mark Healy, Regeneration & Economy Programme Manager, introduced the report and outlined that it would be the first meeting of the Cabinet Grants Panel to consider the 2019/20 Micro Business Grant Scheme.
Will Hawkins, Economic Development Officer, and Holly-Jade Ryder, Business Development Officer presented eight Micro Business Grant applications.
The Business Development Officer introduced the application from Miall’s which sought funding for the purchase new equipment which will increase the businesses operation by offering a portable sorbet stand.
The Vice-Chairman raised concerns that supporting such a business selling alcohol may impede on other Council priorities such as the Council’s Wellbeing Policy.
A Member expressed support for the business and benefit it would bring to the economy of Mid Sussex.
The Chairman echoed the Member’s view and was glad that the business supplies only registered establishments.
Members were supportive of the application.
The Business Development Officer introduced the application from Mystove Ltd which sought funding to aid in the development of a new service which will offer chimney surveys to the District.
The Vice-Chairman outlined his support for the application. He enquired whether the business could offer and research the impacts of Wood Stoves on the environment.
The Chairman noted concerns at West Sussex County Council that Wood Stoves which are not installed properly cause air quality issues.
The Business Development Officer highlighted the business’ intentions to become more environmentally friendly and even currently they suggest to customers the more environmentally friendly stoves over other stoves.
Members were supportive of the application.
Members were supportive of the remaining six applications.
RESOLVED
The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed that:
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