Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Deputy Town Clerk.

The Committee received the report of the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) concerning grant activity to local organisations.

Members received a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk following the meeting held with Witney Dramatic Society (WDS) regarding their request for grant funding for replacement lighting. Both the District Councils West Hive scheme and Witney Town Charity were suggested as additional sources of funding that WDS may wish to explore. The Committee unanimously agreed a grant of £1,500 to kickstart their fundraising with a potential additional £500 if required to help them meet their goal. WDS should also be invited to apply for a subsidised let of the Corn Exchange for their 80^th anniversary performance.

The Committee then discussed the ongoing issue of toilet provision at West Witney Sports & Social Club (WWSCC) for Witney Park Run, who were the only sport club user who have expressed an issue with the lack of provision. Members were all in an agreement with the award of a grant to fund the opening of the club for six months to support the free community event each week.

Subsidised lettings of The Leys Recreation ground were discussed and agreed by all Members for Witney Carnival, Witney Pride, Witney Music Festival; it was additionally agreed that as the budget line would be exhausted that £320 be vired from the discretionary grant budget underspend for 2024/25.

It was unanimously agreed by Members to support the recommendation of the Stronger Communities Committee that of the £1,300 underspend in the £50 for fifty grant scheme £1,000 be vired to support the WeGame sessions provided by APCAM and for the remaining £300 to be vired to support the expanding programme of VE Day 80^th Anniversary Celebrations.

Members discussed the use of the remaining discretionary grants budget and again supported the recommendation of the Stronger Communities Committee to provide £2,600 to APCAM to provide mental health drop-in session in the Corn Exchange from the discretionary grants underspend for 2024/25.

The Committee reviewed the request from Witney Town Band for a grant to support its annual activities and a potential subsidised let later in the year; it was agreed that the band was an asset to the town and that their requests should be supported.

The request from Witney Youth Council to host a cultural event in the Corn Exchange was also supported and the Committee was unanimous in support of the subsidised use of the hall so this can take place.

Lastly, the Town Clerk/CEO provided a verbal update confirming the award to the Council of £5,000 from Cllr Enright’s (OCC) Councillor priority funding to be used towards interpretation panels in the towns playgrounds and also to provide a bleed kit.

Resolved:

1.     That, the report and verbal updates be noted and,

2.     That, Witney Dramatic Society be invited to apply for a subsidised let of the Corn Exchange for their anniversary performance and,

3.     That, a grant of £1,500 be awarded to Witney Dramatic Society with an additional £500 held in reserve and,

4.     That, a grant of £1,040 be made available for the use of toilets at West Witney by Witney Parkrun and,

5.     That, subsidised lettings of The Leys for Witney Pride (£730), Witney Carnival (£1,810) and Witney Music Festival (£3,280) be agreed and,

6.     That, the additional £320 to fund the Leys recreation ground subsidised letting requests be vired from the discretionary grants budget(4100/407) and,

7.     That, subsidised lettings of the Corn Exchange for Witney Town Band (£205) and Witney Youth Council (£205) be agreed and,

8.     That, the annual grant of £660 be agreed for Witney Town Band and,

9.     That, £1,000 of the underspend from the £50 for fifty grant scheme be utilised to provide the APCAM WeGame sessions in the 2025/26 financial year and,

10.  That, £2,600 be provided from the discretionary grants budget to APCAM for the provision of drop-in sessions in the 2025/26 financial year and,

11.  That, the remaining £300 from the £50 for fifty grant scheme be allocated to the VE Day 80^th Anniversary celebrations and,

12.  That, the above grants be provided under the General Power of Competence and recipients be asked to acknowledge the Town Council in any promotional material.