Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2023 as a correct record.

The start of the meeting was delayed until 19:15 due to an induction session for the committee members overrunning.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

There were none.

The Chair, or her nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were received.

There were none.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

At the time of publication of this agenda no ward issues were received.

There were none.

To consider the establishment of a small community garden project adjacent to the council building at West Wing Knowle Green.

The Committee considered a report on a proposed community garden project. The Group Head Commissioning and Transformation explained that community gardens provided opportunities for individuals to grow their own food, socialise, and provided mental health and wellbeing benefits. If the committee agreed, West Wing Knowle Green residents would be consulted over interest in a community garden, and would be offered to provide input on an appropriate location. Wilmott Dixon would contribute towards the community garden as part of their social value contribution in their role as contractor for the leisure centre scheme.

The Committee noted that both flowers and vegetables were proposed for the garden and there would be no poisonous plants. The project would also present community learning opportunities, and if successful, proposals for other sites would be considered. The Committee confirmed that the proposed contribution from Willmott Dixon would cover the cost of the project.

It was proposed by Councillor Doran, and seconded by Councillor Rybinski that the recommendation be amended to state “to approve the community garden project in principal and consultation with West Wing Knowle Green residents, and if the residents wish to proceed on a particular site, agree that site between Group Heads in consultation with the Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing.”

The Committee resolved to approve the community garden project in principal and consultation with West Wing Knowle Green residents, and if the residents wish to proceed on a particular site, agree that site between Group Heads in consultation with the Chair of Community Wellbeing and Housing.

To make a decision in relation to two awards and agree to review the grant funding criteria for 2024/25.

The Committee considered a report from the Strategic Lead of Leisure and Community Development on delayed decisions for community grants.

The Committee considered community grant applications at their meeting in January 2023. Since agreement, two further applications had been identified as submitted during the funding window, but were missed as they were not submitted correctly. The two applications related to a salary costs for an individual, and the grants panel recommended that both applications be rejected as they felt the grant funding budget should not be used to provide salary costs for chief executives of charitable organisations. The panel also suggested that for clarification in future that factor should be incorporated in future funding criteria.

The Committee resolved to:

1)    Approve the cross-party grant panel recommendations in relation to the funding bids from Stanwell Events and Stanwell Foodbank.

2)    Review the Council’s annual grant funding criteria and to stipulate that the basis for their Grant Funding Panel’s recommendation should be incorporated into the funding criteria in future.

To consider a food and price review of the Greeno Community Centre Alterations.

This item was considered with item 11, “Procurement of Meals on Wheels & Community Meals Provision,” and the recommendations were combined with that item.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Committee resolved to note the forward plan for future committee business.

It was proposed by Councillor Bateson, seconded by Councillor Arnold and resolved to exclude the public and press in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider a procurement exercise for the Meals on Wheels service.

The Committee considered a report on the procurement of Meals on Wheels and community meals provision.

The Committee resolved to approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Chair authorised the addition of this item to the agenda for the following reason:

Due to the cycle of Committee meetings this item needs to be discussed and approved at tonight’s meeting in order to progress, with a full report to go to Corporate Policy and Resources Committee on 26^th June, distributing the second round of funding (which the Council was only notified of on 7^th June) to support Afghan families in housing need.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Deputy Chief Executive on round two of funding from the Local Authority Housing Fund.

The Committee resolved to note the update on the Local Authority Housing Fund.