The grant officer will briefly introduce each application.
Members of the public may attend to address the committee for up to five minutes about any of the applications considered at item, provided they have registered with democratic services by noon on Wednesday 9 July.
Registered speakers from the same organisation will share the five minute slot.
Ward councillor can address the committee for up to five minutes about each application in their ward.
Minutes:
The panel heard addresses from representatives of the applicants and from ward councillors and answers to their questions as summarised below.
Chinnor Village Hall
Zena Barker, the hall bookings secretary, spoke in support of the project. She explained the benefits the proposal would give the hall, its users, and the village. She explained that the hall committee was employing a professional project manager and financial controller for the works, and their fees were included in the costs. The improved facilities would benefit the growing community of Chinnor.
Councillor Lynn Lloyd spoke in support of the project. She said that the new committee wished to redevelop the hall to improve the financial position and increase the usage by the village. Increased housing in the village was leading to increasing demand on facilities, and this project was developed in consultation with residents to meet the demand. Some S106 money was available for community facilities.
Thame Town Council – skate park
Corin Rea, Olly Ross, Harry King, from the skate park working group, spoke in support of the project. They explained that the existing skate park would have to close completely. Without it, current users would have no suitable facility. The new design was maintenance free with a long life-span. This was the only wheeled sports facility in the area and users came from a wide area. While there was not formal membership, it did help form a community, reduce anti-social behaviour, and encourage sporting and personal development. There were no formal controls over the use of the skate park as it was open to the public, but there were signs recommending protective wear and warning of the risks. There were no formal arrangements about using the facilities with the adjacent football and rugby clubs, but both were willing to allow occasional use of toilets and parking, and these could be discussed. There were plans to involve young people in the construction and to provide training, demonstrations and some classes. Funding would come through grants and the working group’s own fundraising, and the town council as the applicant would manage this.
Councillor Mike Welply spoke in support of the project. He said this was a much needed facility providing a managed risky sport for youngsters to enjoy, and sat alongside improved facilities of the other sports clubs.
Wallingford Sports Trust
John Atkins and Richard Knight, from the sports trust committee, spoke in support of the project. They explained how the new changing rooms would benefit the 1500 members of the 7 resident clubs and the casual and community users of the trust’s facilities. The current changing rooms need refurbishing and improving to meet modern standards and separate toilets and disabled and baby changing would improve facilities for those using the community spaces. The need for the scheme had been identified through consultation and while this was an ambitious project, the funds could be raised.
Councillor Marcus Harris spoke in support of the project. He said that the sports trust managed the only real organised sporting facility in the town, and there was a need to invest and expand to provide good quality facilities to keep sports players in Wallingford and cope with increasing numbers of residents. This was a chance to bring facilities up to a good standard the town could be proud of.
Chinnor Rugby Club (RFC), Thame
Alex Bond, the honorary secretary of the club, spoke in support of the project. He outlined the membership of the club and the activities and teams supported. He explained that the current facilities were not adequate and the proposals to improve and extend these to provide a wider range of their core activities for more people. Thame Town Council and the RFU supported the club and their plans. The club had fundraising plans and grant awards secured or at application stage sufficient to fund the scheme.
Councillor Mike Welply spoke in support of the project. He said that the redevelopment of the football club’s facilities had been successful. 770 more houses were planned for Thame which would increase pressure on existing facilities. The rugby club’s proposals were welcome. Thame Town Council contributed to the club and reviewed its financial arrangements and governance as a consequence.
Thomley Activity Centre
Clare Ackworth, representing the centre, spoke in support of the project. She explained the benefits of the new café and social space for users, both for their personal and social development and for work experience serving in the café. This would replace and improve the current, water-damaged, space. As well as providing facilities for current users and enabling them to stay longer and participate in the centre’s activities, the space could be hired to other groups to generate income.
There was strong support from users and from other neighbouring local authorities who also funded the centre. From previous experiences, the fundraising target was achievable in an 18 month timescale.