Agenda item

Bids for funding for the Community Capital Grants scheme and officer recommendations

Minutes:

The panel heard addresses from representatives of the applicants and from ward councillors and answers to their questions as summarised below.

 

Henley Town Council – Skatepark improvements

 

Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak stepped down from the panel to speak in support of the application together with Councillor Lorraine Hillier, ward councillor and Henley Town councillor and Colin Brathwaite from the skatepark committee.

 

They reported that Henley Town Council had agreed to contribute £75,000 towards the project, which was identified in the 2015 neighbourhood plan. Both the town and district councils had approved the planning application unanimously.

 

The aim was to replace the ageing and partially decommissioned fibre-glass skatepark with a state-of-the-art concrete structure that was sunk into the ground.  The skatepark committee had already carried out a satisfactory noise study and the site would be landscaped to minimise noise further.

 

The skate park would be utilised by other sports such as BMX and specific time slots would be allocated for different age groups/people with disabilities/coaching.

 

Stoke Row Parish Council – Play area improvements

 

Sara O’Byrne and Catherine Hale from the parish council, spoke in support of the project. They explained that the current play area was well used, but had been deteriorating for some time to the point where it was becoming unsafe in places.  Because of changes in space/safety standards, it was necessary to replace the entire play area rather than replacing equipment piecemeal.

 

They outlined the extensive consultation undertaken with the community including primary school children and an online survey.

 

Great Milton Recreation Ground – Play area improvements

 

Andrew Noble and Emily Johns, on behalf of Great Milton Recreation Ground Committee, circulated the following submission:

 

“We are disappointed that prior work commitments prevent us from both coming to the meeting today. We have both appeared before SODC Grants Committees before and had very much hoped to be there in person to answer any queries that might arise and share our enthusiasm for this project.

 

You will note that we are still to secure a substantial contribution from WREN, and we anticipate a decision regarding this on 25 November 2015. We have applied for £27,046 plus the VAT payable on this project, which is an additional £17,454.

 

Our earlier application to WREN in 2013/2014 was successful, however at that time, we did not have the required designated amount for third party funding already in place.

 

For this current application, the amount required by WREN (£5,500) has already been secured, and we now have an experienced project manager in place to see this project through to successful fruition.”

 

Stoke Row Village Hall – Kitchen and toilet improvements

 

In the absence of a representative from the applicants, the grants officer briefly outlined the proposal to demolish and rebuild the existing extension which was falling away from the main hall.

 

Councillor David Nimmo-Smith, a ward councillor, had written in support of the application.

 

The Watlington Club CIO – Refurbishment of facilities

 

Dave Parks, on behalf of the Watlington Club CIO reported that the club provided a wide range of activities and facilities for the whole of Watlington and the wider area.  There were over 400 members of tennis, bowls and squash and up to 150 children used the dance studio.  The bar/restaurant would be reopened in October; free usage of the function room was available to community groups and one of the buildings was also the home to local cubs/scouts groups.

 

He reported that some facilities such as squash courts could be booked at any time of day and on the steps taken to encourage membership applications.

 

Oxford City Football Club (Berinsfield) – Equipment purchases and facility improvements

 

Dr Mark Hinnells, on behalf of Oxford City Football Club (Berinsfield) reported on the project to convert a warehouse into a 30,000 sq ft sports arena, primarily for futsal and basketball with disabled equivalents of both sports. The club had excellent links with the FA and Basketball England and both were keen to establish a regional centre of excellence.

 

Henley Rugby Football Club – Clubhouse refurbishment and extension

 

Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak stepped down from the panel to speak in support of the application together with Councillor Lorraine Hillier, ward councillor and Henley Town councillor. Chris Nixon and Mike Trethewey from the rugby club also spoke in support of the application.

 

They reported that the Rugby Football Union had encouraged clubs to review their facilities and that, to date, the membership had raised £110,000 towards its target contribution of £200,000 with every likelihood that the full amount would be reached.

 

The club received over 2,000 visitors per week, approximately half of which were non-rugby related.  It was the only venue in the area that could accommodate 200 seated guests.

 

Henley Town Council supported the application which was on the town council’s land. A meeting between the club and the town council to discuss the latter’s financial contribution was being held this evening.

 

Wallingford Rowing Club Ltd – Equipment purchase

 

Councillor Imran Lokhon stepped down from the panel to speak in support of the application together with Tony Wheel from the rowing club.

 

Tony Wheel reported that the club’s 300 members ranged from 13 – 86 years of age and that over half the membership was female. The junior waiting list (13-18) had increased from 70 at the time of the application to 94 currently and the proposed purchase of five boats would allow the club to take on approximately 25 new members.

 

Junior membership fees were £324 per annum but there was a fund to provide financial assistance where possible.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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