Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 23 November 2017 as published.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 23 November 2017 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, the Shadow Portfolio Holder for Grants to Voluntary and Community Organisations, Councillor I Eastwood declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute item 37 – The Eikon Charity – Application for Financial Assistance due to Winston Churchill School being mentioned in the report and his position as a Governor of the School.  The interest was such that Councillor Eastwood remained in the Chamber during the consideration and determination of the item.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, the Shadow Portfolio Holder for Grants to Voluntary and Community Organisations, Councillor I Eastwood declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute item 56 – Woking shopMobility – Application for Financial Assistance due to his wife being a committee member of the group and himself being a member and a user of the Group.  The interest was such that Councillor Eastwood remained in the Chamber during the consideration and determination of the item.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, the Leader of the Council, Councillor D J Bittleston declared a non-pecuniary interest in minute item 52 – Woking Hospice – Application for Financial Assistance arising from his wife on occasion working as a bank nurse at the Hospice.  The interest was such that, in the event any discussion of the application ensued, Councillor Bittleston would leave the Chamber.

Councillor S Hussain reported that he used to work as a Director of the Maybury Centre, which related to minute item 40 – The Maybury Centre – Application for Financial Assistance.  As the role was no longer current, the declaration was not classed as an interest under the Members’ Code of Conduct, however was noted by the Executive.

The Portfolio Holder for Grants to Voluntary Organisations, Councillor A Azad, introduced the report which set out the grant applications received as part of the Community Support Scheme 2018/19, noting that the recommended funding totalled £841,083 of the available revenue budget, with a further £41,000 to be ringfenced.  In addition, the recommendations for capital or one-off applications equated to £38,851 from the Community Fund.

Councillor A Azad noted that the high level of support from Woking Borough Council showed its ongoing commitment to supporting the voluntary sector, which included grant funding, accommodation, concessionary rent, discretionary rate relief, parking spaces and the provision of advice.  The total value of the Council’s support for the voluntary sector for the coming year was estimated to be £1,636,754.

Councillor A Azad thanked Officers for their work in the preparation of the reports before the Executive.

Councillor A-M Barker raised a number of questions for the Executive to consider.  It was noted that paragraph 5.15 of the report contained a typographical error and should have read “In view of the nature of the work proposed by the Therapy Garden, it is intended to refer the application to the Thameswey Group of Companies, in particular Thameswey Sustainable Communities Ltd”.  Regarding the new condition for grant awards on venue hire set out in paragraph 2.15, it was noted that the wording would be included in the grant award emails and that the Community Safety Manager would be able to provide advice to groups if required.

Councillor A-M Barker referred to the application for funding from Goldsworth Park Rangers Football Club in section 5 of the report and expressed disappointment that the Group had been awarded the sum of £250 as opposed to the £500 which had been requested towards enabling children to play football.  Councillor A Azad advised the Executive that the application had been referred to the Small Grants Scheme and following consultation with Sport Woking it had been considered appropriate and consistent with previous applications to award a grant of £250.

RESOLVED

That  (i)      the report be received;

          (ii)     the application by St Mary of Bethany Church be referred to Action Surrey for consideration of funding, as set out in Sections 5.8 to 5.10 of the report;

          (iii)     the application by The Therapy Garden be referred to Thameswey Sustainable Communities Ltd for consideration of funding, as set out in Sections 5.11 to 5.15 of the report;

          (iv)    the application by Westfield Football Club be referred to the Council’s Asset Management Team, in consultation with the Council’s Green Infrastructure Team, for consideration of funding, as set out in Sections 5.16 to 5.19 of the report;

          (v)     the application by Woking Community Furniture Project be referred to the Council’s Waste and Recycling Services with a view to exploring the role of the Charity in the wider provision for the Borough, as set out in Sections 5.20 to 5.22 of the report;

          (vi)    funding of £16,000 be transferred to support the ongoing costs of The Junction (formerly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Executive received a report stating that Age Concern Woking had submitted an application for a grant of £20,000 for 2018/19 which had not felt to include sufficient justification for the extension of existing services to the community.  It was additionally noted that historically Age Concern Woking had been awarded an annual grant of £5,000 towards its running costs, however at its meeting on 15 December 2016 the Executive had declined a grant award for the 2017/18 financial year due to concerns including the provision of factually incorrect and outdated information regarding service offers.

Councillor I Eastwood advised the Executive that the Group had worked to address the concerns raised last year and was now working more closely with Council Officers.  It was not felt that a grant of £20,000 should be awarded, however Councillor Eastwood requested that consideration be given to a lesser award of £2,000 which would be allocated towards the cost of events and client refreshments.  Councillor D E Hughes endorsed the request for a grant of £2,000 as the funds would directly support the clients of Age Concern Woking. 

Sue Barham, Strategic Director, informed the Executive that isolation amongst older people was one of the main health and wellbeing issues faced by the Council and funds awarded to mitigate the issue would be beneficial.  In addition, the Group had updated its information regarding service offers and was engaging proactively with the wider network of local agencies.

The Executive agreed the award of £2,000 for the 2018/19 financial year with the request that Age Concern Woking continue to work closely with Council Officers.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £2,000 be awarded towards the cost of events held by the Group and client refreshments.

Reason:     The Group has worked to address the concerns previously raised by the Executive and the funds awarded would directly support its clients.

RESOLVED

That a one-off capital grant of £7,000 be awarded to Barnsbury School PTA from the Community Fund towards the costs of purchasing a minibus in 2018/19.

Reason:     To enable the School to purchase a minibus which will assist significantly in school activities which rely on transport.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £12,400 be awarded to assist with the costs of the Sheerwater Office and promoting the service within the Borough.

Reason:     To continue to support the service for the benefit of the residents of the Borough of Woking.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     The proposals do not connect with the existing programmes undertaken by the Council and would benefit only a very small number of Woking residents.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     It is not considered that the application can be supported in view of the uncertainty of the nature of the work needed.

RESOLVED

That a grant of 50% of the costs of purchasing new goal posts, up to a maximum of £650, be awarded from the Community Fund.

Reason:     To provide the financial support necessary for the Club to purchase new goal posts to ensure the facilities are available to the Members of the Club.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     Woking Borough Council already provides significant support to charities and organisations within the Borough, which provide support, activities and leisure for young people and their families living with disabilities.

The Leader of the Council reported that the resolution set out in the report contained a typographical error and the amount to be awarded should read £8,000.

RESOLVED

That  (i)      a grant of £8,000 be awarded on a one-off basis from the Community Fund; and

          (ii)     the Club be recommended to investigate funding from other streams such as the Rugby Football Union in future years to continue the work taking place in the Borough.

Reason:     To enable children between 11 and 18 years old within the four identified secondary schools to receive a high quality of coaching in rugby.

The Leader of the Council advised the Committee that correspondence had been received from the Chairman of Citizens Advice Woking stating that the grant award had been held at the same level for the past five years which could have a possible effect on the level of services provided.  It was noted that Groups had not been awarded increases in grant funding and that Woking Borough Council provided a high level of grant to support Citizens Advice in comparison with other local authorities.

RESOLVED

That  (i)      core funding of £220,000 be awarded to continue to support the core service of Citizens’ Advice Woking in 2018/19;

          (ii)     funding of £11,500 be awarded to ensure the continuation of the Financial Capability programme in 2018/19; and

          (iii)     the Council continues to cover the service charge for the accommodation at Provincial House, which for 2018/19 will be circa £32,000.

Reason:     To enable the Bureau to continue to provide its services to the residents of Woking.

RESOLVED

That funding of £5,000 be awarded towards the costs of operating the drop-in service.

Reason:     To enable the Group to continue to provide its services in the community.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £20,000 be awarded towards the services for schools in the Borough of Woking.

Reason:     To continue the support for Coram Life Education towards the delivery of its programmes to schoolchildren in the Borough.

RESOLVED

That a grant of up to £10,000 be awarded towards the provision of additional care hours for families in the Woking area.

Reason:     To provide additional care hours for families in the Woking area to reduce the Service’s waiting list.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     Consultation has not yet taken place with the Council or the Early Help Advisory Board regarding the proposals.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £1,000 be awarded from the Community Fund towards the cost of the new bridge at the site.

Reason:     To support the Association in its work to preserve the natural environment of the site, and ensure the reserve is accessible to all.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £10,000 be awarded from the Community Fund towards the costs of the Community Connector Service.

Reason:     The Community Connector Service will support the Council’s Health and Wellbeing priority areas as well as complementing the Council’s Social Prescribing service.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £4,950 be awarded towards the provision of basic motor mechanics after-school courses in the Borough for young people who are at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).

Reason:     To assist young people in the Borough who may be disengaged with school to develop their skills and aspirations in basic motor mechanics.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £7,500 be awarded to provide additional support to families in Woking.

Reason:     To support the service of Home-Start Runnymede and Woking for families in most need of assistance residing within the Borough of Woking.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     It is not felt that the application justifies the level of assistance requested.

RESOLVED

That funding of £6,000 be agreed towards running costs.

Reason:     To enable the support of those with mental health issues in Lakeview and the surrounding area in the absence of statutory support.

RESOLVED

That funding of £10,500 be awarded towards the cost of the literacy improvement programme.

Reason:     To support the Let's Read literacy improvement programme to improve literacy standards in the Borough.

Councillor A-M Barker noted the resolution in the report and asked the Executive for the reason that the Council was employing a member of staff to work within the local community when the Charity was undertaking its own work.  Sue Barham reported that the recommendation to not award a grant was based on the good news that the Council was working with MASCOT under the Sheerwater Together Programme and a recent bid to the People’s Health Trust had resulted in a grant award of £50,000.  In addition, the Council had previously employed a Community Development Worker for Sheerwater and Maybury and it had been decided to apply the resource to work closely in the community with MASCOT.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     Since the application was submitted, the Group has received external funding towards its running costs and the Council has employed a Community Engagement Worker for Sheerwater who will work closely with the Group.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £5,636 be awarded towards the cost of running the helpline and the support group.

Reason:     To provide support for the organisation and its operating costs.

Councillor A-M Barker noted that the report referred to the Council’s preference to adopt a commissioning approach with Peer Productions.  Sue Barham advised that, where appropriate, the purpose would be to develop certain awareness campaigns or engagement work relating to the Council’s health and wellbeing priorities, which would be funded through individual service budgets.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     The Council would prefer to undertake a commissioning approach to potential projects which could be run by Peer Productions to support the community.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     There is insufficient justification for the Council to support the application at a time of increasing pressures on the Council’s budgets.

RESOLVED

That funding of £15,000 be awarded towards the service charge at Provincial House for 2018/19.

Reason:     To support the Group in its activities by assisting with the costs of the service charge for the accommodation in Provincial House, Woking.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £2,460 be awarded towards the costs of enhancing the outreach work taking place in the Borough.

Reason:     To enable the services provided by Sight for Surrey to be enhanced for visually impaired service users in the Borough.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £1,600 be awarded towards the free STEPS Youth Counselling service in Woking.

Reason:     To enable Surrey Care Trust to continue to run the STEPS Youth Counselling service free of charge to 16 to 25 year olds in Woking.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £8,850 be awarded towards the running costs of the service in Woking.

Reason:     The Council’s support will ensure that the Organisation is able to continue to provide an essential service for individuals in the Borough who are directly affected by bereavement.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £10,000 be awarded towards core costs, in particular the advice line and specialist casework.

Reason:     To ensure the continued services of the Unit for Woking residents.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     It is not felt that the application has demonstrated sufficient justification for the Council to award funding for this new revenue project.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £1,000 be awarded towards the costs of the Knaphill support group.

Reason:     The work undertaken by the Group supports the Council's health and wellbeing agenda.

RESOLVED

That a grant of up to £948 be awarded for the 2018/19 financial year towards the rental costs of The Club.

Reason:     To enable the Group to continue its work with young people in South Woking.

RESOLVED

That funding of £3,000 be agreed towards the costs of services for Woking residents.

Reason:     To enable the Counselling Partnership to continue their work within the Borough of Woking.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     The Group has not yet engaged with the youth network on its proposals and there is no clear evidence of need in the application.

RESOLVED

That  (i)      a revenue grant of £1,000 be awarded towards the costs of Early Year specialist support for the delivery of two sessions per month; and

          (ii)     a grant of 50% of the capital costs be awarded from the Community Fund towards the purchase of equipment and furniture up to a maximum of £749.

Reason:     The project will provide much needed child development support for families with young children, in particular those families on low incomes.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £18,200 be awarded towards operational costs.

Reason:     To enable the charity to continue to engage with a high number of users from Woking including those from different cultural backgrounds and ages, with its broad and diverse offer of support for the community and for people in Woking who need help.

Councillor A-M Barker referred to the proposal within the report to move the management of the Alpha Road Community Hall from the Maybury Centre to the Woking Asian Business Forum and asked whether the latter held sufficient experience to manage the facility.  The Leader of the Council reported that the Forum had advised that a series of community events would be scheduled to take place at the Hall in addition to work taking place to let the facilities to local community groups.  It was added that over the past few years the Maybury Centre had been notified of the Council’s intention to seek an alternative management arrangement provider and that the current arrangement would remain until April 2018.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £32,683 be awarded comprising the following ringfenced amounts: £4,683 towards the running costs of the Maybury Centre, £15,000 towards the Liaise Women's Support Centre, and £13,000 towards the running costs of the Schoolhouse Project.

Reason:     To enable the Centre to continue in providing its services, including the management of the Schoolhouse Project.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     The application has not demonstrated sufficient justification for the Council to award funding to establish a new programme in the Borough.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     It is not considered that the application form has provided sufficient justification for the Council to consider funding the new programme of fundraising.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     There are a number of organisations within the Borough providing similar support, activities and leisure opportunities and which Woking Borough Council is already supporting.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     The application does not meet the standards of the Community Grants Scheme and fails to provide sufficient justification for the Council to enter into ongoing revenue funding.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £4,000 be awarded towards the running costs of the service.

Reason:     To enable the mediation service to be available for residents of the Borough.

RESOLVED

That a grant of 50% of the cost of roof repairs to the garage be awarded from the Community Fund up to a maximum of £2,052.

Reason:     To enable the Club to undertake essential roof repairs to ensure the building is watertight and secure for the storage of equipment.

RESOLVED

That funding be awarded from the Community Fund at the requested level of £3,200 towards hydrotherapy sessions for its Woking-based members.

Reason:     The provision of accessible hydrotherapy sessions will help those in the Borough living with Parkinson’s to maintain a level of mobility and pain relief for as long as possible, and is in line with the identified priority areas in the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £236,480 be awarded towards the core costs of the existing Borough-wide Dial-A-Ride service.

Reason:     To support the Dial-A-Ride service across the Borough of Woking.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £18,000 be awarded to assist towards the costs of the Town Centre Buggy service operated by Woking Community Transport.

Reason:     To enable Woking Community Transport to continue to provide the Town Centre Buggy service in Woking.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £6,200 be awarded towards the cost of the roof replacement from the Community Fund.

Reason:     To support the Birchmere Campsite with its programme of improvements to bring its facilities, buildings and functions in line with Health and Safety regulations and Scouting campsite rules, in light of the benefit to a large number of young people each year.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £3,500 be awarded towards the cost of hiring scaffolding equipment for the abseiling activity.

Reason:     To enable the popular abseiling and climbing activity to be available for the children participating in Handicamp in 2018.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £47,400 be awarded towards the cost of the Senior Community Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist out in the community.

Reason:     To support the community nursing team in providing care and support to patients in their own homes in the Borough.

Councillor A-M Barker noted that the recommendation was not to award a grant to the Group and stated that a fundraiser could assist with the identification of future income streams and that it was not unusual for project funding to cover a one year contract.  Councillor A Azad advised the Executive that the Council would not tend to award funds towards the cost of employing a fundraiser.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason      The application has not given sufficient justification for the Council to enter into a revenue commitment for the employment of a member of staff.

RESOLVED

That no grant be awarded.

Reason:     Woking Borough Council already provides significant support to organisations which provide similar support and signposting for those living with mental health within the community.

RESOLVED

That  (i)      the application be deferred; and

          (ii)     the Group be requested to submit a proposal to the Strategic Director, Sue Barham, in which the Council can be satisfied prior to agreeing any grant funding for Woking People of Faith during the 2018/19 financial year.

Reason:     To enable the Council to consider how the Group intends to operate during the 2018/19 financial year.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £12,500 be awarded towards running costs.

Reason:     To ensure the continued services of the Group for Woking residents.

RESOLVED

That a grant of £2,000 be awarded towards the costs of the service.

Reason:     To ensure the continued services of the Group during the night-time economy.

RESOLVED

That funding of £1,696 be awarded towards the cost of renting a room at the Moorcroft Centre.

Reason:     To enable Woking Talking Newspaper to continue to provide its service to those people in the Borough with a visual impairment.

RESOLVED

That funding of £53,400 be awarded towards the cost of the service, subject to the continuation of funding from Surrey County Council, otherwise a review of the funding provided by the Council would be required.

Reason:     To enable the York Road Project to continue its existing valued service provision in the Borough.

RESOLVED

That funding of £19,200 be awarded towards the cost of the service.

Reason:     To enable the excellent and valued work of the Group tackling Domestic Abuse to take place.