Agenda item

Mat Jarman, Head of Communications, PR & Community Engagement, introduced the report for present to the Cabinet Grants Panel, seven Community Grants and three Ukraine Support one-off community grant applications for consideration.

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

below:

Table 1: Applications recommended for award

Community Grants

Homes for Ukraine grant fund

Table 2: Applications Considered but NO GRANT Award Recommended

The Vice-Chairman enquired whether there will be battery storage for the solar panels requested by 1^st Hurstpierpoint Scout Group.

The Head of Communications, PR & Community Engagement replied that the funding request includes funding for a batter to store accumulated energy which is why officers recommended full funding.

The Member requested that the community choir set up by Befriended be open to all.

The Head of Communications, PR & Community Engagement informed the Panel on the Homes for Ukraine grant fund and explained that the application from Being Neighbourly is part-funded as English lessons are already being provided by West Sussex County Council and that HUGS 4 Ukraine do not have the capacity to full deliver their desired project.

The Vice-Chairman welcomed the application from All Saints Lindfield. The Chairman added his appreciation of officers working hard to ensure Ukrainians feel as welcome and comfortable as possible.

The Chairman noted that the application from East Grinstead Business Association will be considered elsewhere.

The Head of Communications, PR & Community Engagement highlighted that Arise Counselling Service were not awarded a grant as it is a service that already exists, and that The Juno Project is programme that takes place during school time however officers are working with them to see if they can deliver it outside of school hours.

The Chairman asked if the Chairman and Vice-Chairman can agree the decision outside of a Cabinet Grants Panel should a resolution be reached for The Juno Project.

Kevin Toogood, Solicitor to the Council, confirmed that the Panel could give delegated authority to officers to deal with a revised application being brought forward.

The Chairman took the Panel to vote on the recommendations in the report.

The Panel were unanimously supportive of all recommendations.

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel agreed:

1. That £5,000 from the Community Grants Fund be released to 1^st Hurstpierpoint Scout Group to fund the installation of 28 solar panels on south facing roof of the Scout Headquarters.

2. That £5,000 from the Community Grants Fund be released to Balcombe Cricket Club to fund the upgrade kitchen and install outdoor seating facility.

3. That £1,000 from the Community Grants Fund be released to Befriended to fund the set up a Community Choir.

4. That £8,660.60 from the Homes for Ukraine Grant Fund be released to All Saints Lindfield to fund the set up a drop-in service at The Yews and deliver 4 events. 

5. That £3,543.20 from the Homes for Ukraine Grant Fund be released to Being Neighbourly to fund group therapeutic sessions to develop into a peer led support group at Glen Vue and update the website with a page for Ukrainian refugees. Fund English lessons and professional exams.

6. That £4,900 from the Homes for Ukraine Grant Fund be released to HUGS 4 Ukraine to fund the Cherry Tree hire, create a website, support a weekly drop-in at Hassocks Age Concern and deliver 3 celebratory events.

7. That no grant be awarded to Arise Counselling Service as their application does not meet the criteria of the Homes for Ukraine Grant Fund.

8. That no grant be awarded to East Grinstead Business Association as their application does not meet the criteria of the Community Grants Fund.

9. That no grant be awarded to The Juno Project as their application does not meet the criteria of the Community Grants Fund.