Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to

declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of

Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which he might have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that he might have had in respect of business on the agenda. He confirmed he had none.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Friday, 14 September 2018.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will  be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer in advance of the meeting. Contact details are at the foot of this agenda.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the session under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report seeks approval to award grants from the £100,000 fund created to improve forgotten corners within the city to those projects that have scored highly against the evaluation criteria.

This item was originally scheduled on the Forward Plan for the Decision Session on 1 October 2018.  It has been brought forward, in accordance with the council’s urgency procedures for non-key decisions, to allow community groups sufficient time to deliver their projects by the end of March 2019.

Resolved:

(i)           That funding requested for projects listed in Table 1be agreed, subject to a change to the Keith Chapman Memorial Garden creation, which should be fully funded and not part funded.

(ii)          That for any projects receiving over £5000, a hyperlink was to be included in the minutes for accessing application forms submitted and that for any projects granted under £5000, the minutes should contain the relevant contact details for accessing applications.

(iii)        That Officers offer support and guidance to those organisations that were unsuccessful, Friends of Melrosegate Field, Chill in the Community and Cornerstone Methodist Church.

(iv)        That an update report be brought to an Executive Member for Environment Decision Session after 30 April 2019 on project delivery.

Reason:    To allow community groups sufficient time to deliver their projects by the end of March 2019.

The Executive Member considered a report that sought approval to award grants from the £100.000 fund created to improve forgotten corners within the city to those projects that had scored highly against the evaluation criteria.

The Community Involvement Officer gave an update and explained the fund, its objectives and how the opportunity to submit an expression of interest was advertised by means of a press release and through ward team distribution lists, York CVS, Minster FM and third party news bulletins.

The Executive Member noted that community groups, charities and other organisations across York were asked to identify a neglected corner of the city they wished to improve.  Thirty expressions of interests were received from ten wards, where a project team defined the criteria assessed, considered the applicants eligibility and then ranked them against the fund criteria.

The Executive Member considered the list of organisations that had been offered funding and the Head of Equalities and Communities explained the reasons for part funding a project or refusing an application. It was noted that the successful organisations would be required to fully deliver their projects by the end of March 2019 and were to report back by 30 April 2019.

In answer to the Executive Members questions it was noted that:

·        Environment and Community Officers would support successful applicants in delivery of their projects and should a project not be delivered the funds allocated would be reimbursed.

·        Application forms for projects receiving over £5000 could be viewed at www.york.gov.uk/forgottencorners and the Head of Equalities and Communities could be contacted on 01904 551812 or jennifer.allott@york.gov.uk regarding projects granted under £5000.

·        The Council would not be purchasing any materials but officers could link groups that were purchasing similar items.

·        A forgotten corners plaque could be considered in recognition to the scheme.  

The Executive Member thanked officers for their update.

Resolved:

(i)           That funding requested for projects listed in Table 1be agreed, subject to a change to the Keith Chapman Memorial Garden creation, which should be fully funded and not part funded.

(ii)          That officers also offer support and guidance to those organisations that were unsuccessful, Friends of Melrosegate Field, Chill in the Community and Cornerstone Methodist Church.

(iii)        That an update report be brought to an Executive Member for Environment Decision Session after 30 April 2019 on project delivery.

Reason:    To allow community groups sufficient time to deliver their projects by the end of March 2019.