Issue - decisions

The Committee received and considered the report of the Deputy Town Clerk and accompanying grant applications.

All the projects offered benefits to the community of Witney but the budget for awards would regrettably not stretch to provide the whole amount requested, with a second round of grants due later in the financial year. To stretch the budget, it was proposed and carried that, unused funds for Witney Carnival in 2021 totalling £2,600 be returned to this grant budget for the remainder of the year.

Members felt the request from Buttercross Theatre Productions could be sought from another source and likewise, St Mary’s Church Cogges may be better placed to seek funding from alternative grant funders. Members were satisfied that the latter of these projects would be providing a community facility and if no other funding was available the Town Council would support it.

Following a recommendation from the Stronger Communities Committee, this Committee agreed the sum of £9,750, allocated from the discretionary grants budget towards Witney Music Festival 2021 should be allocated to increase the budget for the Youth Services Grant 2021.

The Deputy Town Clerk also raised a request from an applicant who would be holding a Circus on The Leys to have the cost of a day subsidised as funds were being raised on the given day towards the Charity, NHS Together.

Recommended:

1.      That, the report be noted and,

2.      That, £2,600 allocated towards the Witney Carnival 2021 be returned to the discretionary grants fund (4100/407) and,

3.      That, Parkrun be awarded the sum of £385 and,

4.      That, Witney Day Centre be awarded the sum of £2,310 and,

5.      That, Witney Mills Cricket Club be awarded the sum of £2,079 and,

6.      That, St Mary’s Church Cogges be provisionally awarded the sum of £1,540 but that other funding opportunities be explored before this sum is released.

7.      That, the request for a subsidised let for one day on the Leys be agreed for the sum of £162.50.

8.      That, the above grants be made under the General Power of Competence and that the recipients be asked to acknowledge the Council’s financial contribution in their promotional literature.

9.     That, Buttercross Theatre Productions be asked to seek an alternative source for the funds required for camera equipment.

10.  That, £9,750 from the discretionary grants budget (4100/407), previously earmarked for Witney Music festival 2021 be re-allocated towards the Youth Services Grant budget for 2021.