Agenda item

a)      To receive and consider the report of the Democratic Services Officer on current applications - enclosed;

b)     To receive and consider the report of the Town Clerk on the budget for grants and subsidised lettings for 2020/21 – to follow.

a)                  This item was moved up the agenda with the express permission of the Chair so that the members of the public could hear the discussion.

                The Committee received and considered the report of the Town Clerk on annual grants and subsidised lettings.  These were separate from the other pots of grant funding.

Members agreed that both the Witney Music Festival and LibFest should have the rental of The Leys fully subsidised for their events in June 2020.

                The Committee discussed Homestart who had given a presentation earlier in the year and who had been unsuccessful in applying for a grant previously.  It was felt strongly that they offered a vital service to members of the community and families and that a budget should be set.  As there had been no formal grant application at this point, it was suggested that a provisional sum be built into next year’s budget.  Members then discussed funding for youth work and it was agreed that rather than separating these two items, one budget covering Children and Youth should be included at a level of £30,000.

                Members also wanted to increase the annual grant CAB to £2,000.  The grant for the Carnival to cover the toilets was discussed and members felt that it was reasonable for it to stay at the same level.

b)            Members received and considered the report of the Democratic Services Officer including letters of thanks, and the grant applications.

RECOMMEDED:

a) i)        that the report be noted;

    ii)        that in respect of subsidised lettings - Witney Music Festival be granted the full cost for it’s hire of the Leys - £2,880, and LibFest be granted the full cost for its hire of The Leys - £1, 400, for their events in June 2020;

    iii)       that the following items be put into the 2020/21 budget

iv)     that the budget for general grant dispersal for 2020/21 be set at £10,000;

b)  i)       that the report and correspondence be noted;

ii)      that the following grants be made under the General Power of Competence, and that recipients are requested to acknowledge the Council’s contribution on all relevant publicity:-

iii)     that the Witney Model and Collectors Club be offered in house training by the Town Council and if this is not accepted, then the grant should be resubmitted at the next meeting with a quotation from a reputable training company.

iv)     that the application from Witney New Life Church be turned down on the grounds that there are so few members and that the Town Council’s grant terms do not permit grants to religious organisations.