Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any announcements from the chair and general housekeeping matters.

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, outlined the procedure to be followed and advised on emergency evacuation arrangements.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

Apologies for absence from Councillor David Bretherton.

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Community Grants Panel minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2023. 

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2023 as a correct record and agree that the Chair sign these as such.

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.  

Councillor Ken Arlett declared that he used to be a Henley-on-Thames Town Councillor, was a trustee of the River and Rowing Museum Foundation until May 2023, and had been the Henley Town Football Club president in the past. However, as he was no longer in those positions and had no involvement in any of the applications from those organisations, he had no interest to declare and so would remain on the panel to discuss and vote on the applications. 

Councillor Jo Robb declared that she had previously approved a grant for SHEDQUARTERS in her capacity as a member of the panel. However, as this was not a conflict of interest, she would remain on the panel to discuss and vote on the applications.

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent.  

There was no urgent business.

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

A list showing members of the public who had registered to speak had been sent to the panel prior to the meeting.

1.       To review and note the report and recommendations of scoring made by officers.

2.       To make a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing about funding grant application(s).

The panel reviewed and noted the submitted grant applications and received representations from supporters of the following applications:

Henley-on-Thames Town Council for Mill Meadows Adventure Playground

Sheridan Jacklin-Edward, representative from Henley-on-Thames Town Council, spoke in support of the application.

The panel asked the representative about biodiversity net-gain, and if the applicants were looking to get any net gain either on the site or externally. In response, the representative indicated that there was very little existing planting and that, as they were developing a planting scheme, there would be some biodiversity net gain on site.

On a question about if the application included inclusive playground equipment, the representative noted that several pieces of inclusive equipment was proposed, including a cradle swing and netting for the slide.

The representative also noted that cost was a factor as to why neither a sand pit nor any water elements were being proposed, although they noted that an existing water fountain was being targeted to be placed about 100 metres from the site.

The panel agreed to note the application of Henley-on-Thames Town Council.

Aston Rowant Parish Council for play area upgrade and new equipment

Councillor Matthew Day and Laura Purse, representatives from Aston Rowant Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

The panel discussed the potential for more natural element, such as tree planting, to be included in the scheme, but overall agreed that the application was needed for the local community.

Members noted the loss of the swings and that were being replaced by both a baby and large basket swing, and that this could potentially impact certain groups in the community, such as teenage girls.

Also, about a question on if there were any drinking fountains nearby, the representative confirmed there were taps nearby and they accepted the comments that a dedicated drinking tap could be beneficial.

The panel agreed to note the application of Aston Rowant Parish Council.

River and Rowing Museum Foundation for Ratty's Refuge Reimagined

Steve O’Connor, representative from the River and Rowing Museum Foundation, spoke in support of the application.

The panel asked about the financial position of the museum, noting specifically that it ran an annual deficit of £0.5m per year. In response, the representative for the application informed the committee that the recent losses were due to the museum being closed, but that they had a strategy to breakeven within three years. Elements of the strategy included reducing their energy consumption and promoting themselves more to the wider community and volunteer groups.

On a question about planting and biodiversity, the representative discussed their site plan which included increasing wildflower use. However, the representative did note that turf was important for functional use by the museum but confirmed that it would not be astroturf.

The panel agreed to note the application of the River and Rowing Museum Foundation.

South Moreton Parish Council for South Moreton Playground Enhancement

Lucy Dalby, representative from South Moreton Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

The panel asked if the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.