Agenda and minutes

Councillor Hillier nominated Councillor Webster as Chairman of the Panel for the 2022/23 Council year. This was seconded by Councillor Belsey and with no further nominations put forward, this was agreed.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Webster be elected Chairman of the Panel for the 2022/23 Council Year.

The Chairman nominated Cllr Hillier as Vice-Chairman of the Panel for the 2022/23 Council year. This nomination was seconded by Councillor Belsey and with no further nominations put forward, this was agreed.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Hillier be appointed asVice-Chairman of the Panel for the 2022/23 Council year.

No substitutes were received as all Members were present.

No apologies were received.

No declarations were made.

The Chairman stated that it was good to see so many people coming out to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee and thought that the support Mid Sussex District Council provided to communities was well received.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 11 April 2022 were then approved as a correct record by those present at that meeting and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman confirmed that he had no urgent business.

The Chairman confirmed that no representations were received.

Elaine Clarke,Community Leisure Officer, introduced the report which presented a request for the release of S106 Contributions for consideration by the Cabinet Grants Panel.

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

The Member noted the surplus in the accounts with over £90,000 in cash and enquired what projects are being put forward by the organisation.

The Community Leisure Officer confirmed that she raised that question with the organisation who replied that they are holding reserves in order to repair their roof and erect solar panels at the same time as well as purchasing a new minibus and providing a hardship fund for children who cannot afford to attend.

The Member then asked whether there is any other S106 money available.

The Community Leisure Officer responded that there is.

The Chairman highlighted the significant amount of work taking place and felt pleased to see the organisation are spending money on improving their facilities and purchasing solar panels to future-proof their building.

The Vice-Chairman felt supportive of the application and asked if the parish council is aware of the available S106 money.

The Community Leisure Officer explained that the Parish Council have been made aware and they have contacted local organisations to encourage applications.

The Chairman noted that no Member wished to speak so moved to vote on the application which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed:

1. That £10,791 of Section 106 Contributions be released to 1st Copthorne Scouts to fund landscaping, surfacing and fencing to improve access, safety and security at The Scout Centre and Guide Hall in Copthorne for the benefit of the young people using the facilities.

Regina Choudhury, Community Development Officer, which presented eight Community Grant to the Cabinet Grants Panel applications for consideration.

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

*application to be referred to the Ukrainian Support Fund

** £5,000 will be paid from the Ukrainian Support Fund if the bid is successful

The applications that were considered but no grant award was recommended:

The Vice-Chairman enquired on the sources of funding for the Hassocks Baby Group and sought clarification on the size of the Ukrainian Refugee Support Fund mentioned in the report.

The Community Development Officer explained that the Hassocks Baby Group charge £1 per session and do seek outside funding. She stated that she was not aware of the size of the Ukrainian Refugee Support Fund however would research the answer and inform the councillor at a later date.

The Vice-Chairman sought reassurances that the STEM Challenge will be considered by the Economic Development Team.

Nathan Spilstead, Regeneration and Economy Programme Manager, confirmed that he had been approached by the Haywards Heath Town Team and that the Council agrees with the application in principle subject to the submission of the correct paperwork.

The Member questioned whether the Ukrainian Refugee Support Fund is funded by money put aside by Mid Sussex District Council or whether it is part of a wider pot.

The Community Development Officer replied that it is a separate fund through West Sussex County Council.

The Member sought clarity on why some organisations have been successful and others have not.

The Community Development Officer outlined that some applications are retrospective and/or are to continue with existing projects in the same format and therefore do not meet the criteria.

The Member noted the application from the East Grinstead Society and that Mid Sussex have been very supportive of the society. He highlighted that only £2,000 has been offered with the project costing over £10,000. He asked whether the Society could go forward with the project given the funding provided.

The Community Development Officer responded that when the application was assessed the applicant mentioned seeking potential  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

William Hawkins,Economic Development Officer, introduced the report which presented seven micro business grant applications totalling £12,527.

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

The Chairman highlighted that there are no applications from anywhere in the north of the district. He appreciated that the same publicity has been promoted across the district and sought an answer as to why there are no applications.

The Economic Development Officer said it was unexplainable as to why no applications were received however confirmed that since the submission of the applications the Council has met with East Grinstead Business Association which will hopefully bring forward some applications.

The Vice-Chairman questioned the number of employees Squires Planning Ltd have, noted the low score of Once upon a Boutique and that an application for a virtual assistant by The Sussex Social Ltd has been received.

The Economic Development Officer replied that Squires Planning Ltd currently two employs full time employees and the application is to purchase equipment to hire a third employee. He explained that Once upon a Boutique is the lowest scoring application however the applicant had to meet one of the criteria which the application had met well. He outlined that the hire of the virtual assistant by The Sussex Social Ltd is temporary and through that intends to grow their business.

The Chairman noted that no Member wished to speak so moved to vote on the applications which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed:

1. That a Microbusiness Grant of £2,000 be awarded to Lemonade Print Group Ltd to fund the development and design of a new website.

2. That a Microbusiness Grant of £2,000 be awarded to Squires Planning Ltd to fund the purchase of new equipment and a targeted marketing campaign.

3. That a Microbusiness Grant of £2,000 be awarded to Once upon a Boutique to fund marketing and promotional activities as well as business development.

4. That a Microbusiness Grant of £2,000 be awarded to Compost Club Ltd to make upgrades on site to improve capacity.

5. That a Microbusiness Grant of £1,277 be awarded to Create Space Studios to fund staff training, new signage and commissioned editing.

6. That a Microbusiness Grant of £2,000 be awarded to The Window Shutter Company Ltd to fund website redevelopment and video content production.

7. That a Microbusiness Grant of £1,250 be awarded to The Sussex Social Ltd to fund website redevelopment and the hire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

William Hawkins,Economic Development Officer, introduced the report which presented an application for the remaining Independent Retailers Grant Scheme.

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

The Chairman noted that no Member wished to speak so moved to vote on the application which was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed:

1. That an Independent Retailers Grant of £4,000 be awarded to Pearson White Properties to fund the redecorating and repair of their high street store (South Downs Cellars).