Agenda item

Hear more about how the 2012-13 funding was spent and the arrangements for spending the 2013-14 funding

Councillor D’Agorne gave a verbal update on 2012/13 ward funding as follows:

• The total budget for 2012/13 had been £3260.
• £800 had been awarded to the Melbourne Centre to provide health and fitness classes to Fishergate residents.
• £700 had been given to YUMI to purchase a polytunnel for the Fulford Cross allotments.
• £1000 had been awarded to the Friends of New Walk to commission and install a new noticeboard. It was noted that this had not yet been installed, though the funding had been received).
• £250 had been allocated Broadway Area Good Neighbours and Residents’ Association (BAGNARA) to part-fund the re-surfacing and improvement of the pedestrian area by Broadway shops. Councillor D’Agorne noted that as this area was outside of the responsibility of the council, the residents’ association had undertaken the work of sourcing funding for the work themselves, and had secured agreement from the owners of the card shop and the post office, that they would pay for the improvements outside their own establishments.

Councillor D’Agorne then reported that the ward budget for 2013/14 was £3280, and outlined the criteria for applications as follows:

• Citywide organisations are not eligible.
• Any projects already involving council spending are not eligible.
• The funding is only available to projects and initiatives from local groups within the ward, which are intended for the benefit of the residents and/or environment within the ward.
• Councillors suggested groups applying for funding consider the priorities listed in the Community Contract.
• As the funding is limited, councillors suggested a ceiling of £500 per group, though this could be subject to review, dependent on the project involved.
• Anyone wishing to apply for funding was asked to complete and submit an application form by 1^st July 2013.

Questions were invited from residents, and the following points were noted:

• Residents asked about the process for requesting things like the installation of benches in the ward, which would not be eligible for ward funding, as they would come under the responsibility of council budget. Councillors noted there was no process for this, but asked residents to let them know of any concerns or identified needs, so that they could lobby the council where appropriate. Councillors emphasised the importance of having open communication with residents, so they could act on their behalf on important issues.
• The issue of salt bins was discussed, as a resident of Kensal Rise noted that there were none available close to his street, which had proved problematic over the winter months. Councillors advised that a decision had been taken some years ago to remove salt bins due to budget cuts, but that the Ward had agreed to keep three in place, and fund these from the Ward budget. It was noted that there was no mechanism in place to request an additional salt bin, and there was no funding available to provide this.
• Residents discussed the removal of the bin from the bus stop outside Iceland/Aldi on Fulford Road, noting that this had led to an increase in litter. Councillors noted that a significant number of bins had been removed around the city, and that they had not received any prior notification before this was done. Councillors agreed that they would endeavour to request that bins be reinstated by bus stops in the ward, but that there was no expectation that this would be done.