5
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive relative to applications for funding from The Villages Local Partnership in 2024/25.
The report intimated that the available allocation for the Local Partnership was £51,191 with £750 ringfenced for community representatives’ expenses. It was noted that the budget available for allocation by this Local Partnership was £50,441 and that the total value of applications received for funding was £73,493.72.
The report advised that the Youth Challenge Fund component for 2024/25 amounted to £23,609 and it was noted that this funding would be allocated by young people through a participatory budgeting exercise which had taken place during May 2024 with decisions being announced in Summer 2024.
The report noted that an initial assessment of the applications had been carried out by officers to support Local Partnership members in their decision-making. The tables in the appendix to the report detailed those applications with direct reference to the Villages local priorities where the project was located in or was specific to the Villages and applications with direct reference to the Villages local priorities where the project was not located in or was not specific to the Villages.
The Chair proposed (i) that the Local Partnership refer applications FR1038, Friends of Howwood Park, FR 1039, Lochwinnoch Arts Festival and FR1068, FR1081, FR1082, FR1083 and FR1084, Elderslie Community Council to the Villages Investment Fund; (ii) that applications FR1066 and FR1067, Elderslie Community Council be awarded £5,000 split between both applications; (iii) that those applications where the project was located in or was specific to the Villages be awarded in full, including application FR1144, Brookfield S.W.I, which was not included in the agenda as outstanding paperwork had only recently been received, with the exception of FR1062, Kilbarchan Community Council and FR1091, Lochwinnoch Christmas Lights, where no award was made in relation to the cost of reindeer; (iv) that those applications where the project was not located in or specific to the Villages be declined, with the exception of FR1096, Rays of Hope, FR1097, Johnstone Sound Community Radio and FR1105, PACE Theatre Company and that these applications be awarded in full; and (v) that consideration of applications FR1101, Lamont Farm and FR1146, Paisley & District Royal British Legion Pipe Band, which were not included in the agenda as outstanding paperwork had only recently been received, be continued to allow the applications to be processed and considered at the next meeting of the Local Partnership.
It was agreed that, in principle, the proposal be accepted and following consideration of the applications individually, the applications were determined as follows:
FR1038 – Friends of Howwood Park – referred to the Villages Investment Fund
FR1039 – Lochwinnoch Arts Festival - referred to the Villages Investment Fund
FR1052 – Renfrewshire Walking Network - declined
FR1053 – Dementia Friendly Lochwinnoch - awarded £500
FR1055 – The Kilbarchan Singers - awarded £3,855
FR1060 – Lochwinnoch S.W.I - awarded £250
FR1062 – Kilbarchan Community Council - awarded £1,200 – no award given for cost of reindeer. Consideration to be given to funding another aspect of the Christmas Lights Switch-on should the Community Council wish to apply for further funding
Declaration of Interest
Ian Andrew, having previously declared an interest in the following application remained in the meeting.
Anne-Marie Balfour, seconded by Councillor Steel, moved that Houston Community Council be awarded £2,887 and that the cost of the fireworks be not funded by the Local Partnership.
Meg Gilzean, seconded by Councillor McGonigle, moved as an amendment that the application be awarded the full amount of £4,887.
Councillor McMillan, seconded by Councillor Gilmour, moved as a second amendment that Houston Community Council be awarded £4,887 but that the cost of the fireworks, £2,000, be held pending further enquiries into the cost of the fireworks which would be considered at the next meeting of the Local Partnership.
On the roll being called, between the motion and the first amendment the following members voted for the first amendment: Councillor Innes, Councillor Andy Doig, Councillor Audrey Doig, Councillor Hood, Margaret Dundas, James Fletcher, Meg Gilzean, Fiona Stewart and Scott Young.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillor Airlie-Nicolson, Ann-Marie Balfour, Councillor Cameron, Councillor McGonigle, and Councillor Steel.
The following members abstained: Councillor Gilmour, Councillor J MacLaren, Councillor McMillan and Ross Anderson.
5 members having voted for the motion, 9 members having voted for the first amendment, and 4 members having abstained, the first amendment was declared carried.
No vote was taken between the first amendment and the second amendment.
FR1065 – Houston Community Council - awarded £4,887
FR1066 – Elderslie Community Council and FR1067 – Elderslie Community Council - awarded £5,000 split between both applications
FR1068 – Elderslie Community Council - referred to the Villages Investment Fund
FR1073 – Lochwinnoch Gala Day - awarded £3,009
FR1075 – Brookfield Bowling Club - awarded £2,000
FR1079 – Lochwinnoch Choral Society - awarded £2,975
FR1081 – Elderslie Community Council - referred to the Villages Investment Fund
FR1082 – Elderslie Community Council - referred to the Villages Investment Fund
FR1083 – Elderslie Community Council - referred to the Villages Investment Fund
FR1084 – Elderslie Community Council - referred to the Villages Investment Fund
FR1088 – Rainbow Turtle - declined
FR1091 – Lochwinnoch Christmas Lights - awarded £1,400 – no award given in relation to costs for reindeer. Consideration to be given to funding another aspect of the Christmas Lights Switch-on should the organisation wish to apply for further funding
FR1095 – Rays of Hope - awarded £1,120
Declaration of Interest
Councillor Hood, having previously declared and interest in the following application remained in the meeting.
FR1097 – Johnstone Sound Community Radio - awarded £2,500
FR1101 – Lamont Farm - continued to allow application to be processed and considered at the next meeting of the Local Partnership
FR1102 – Storm Gymnastics CIC – declined
FR1105 – PACE Theatre Company - awarded £3,000
FR1110 – F?is Phàislig - declined
FR1112 – Own Yer Bike - declined
FR1113 – Renfrew Town Sea Scouts - awarded £5,000
FR1117 – 1st Bridge of Weir Scout Group - awarded £2,520
FR1119 – Viewfield Rovers AFC - awarded £4,750
FR1122 – The Renfrewshire Toy Bank - awarded £1,500
FR1144 – Brookfield S.W.I - awarded £400 on completion of the application process
FR1146 – British Legion Pipe Band – continued to allow application to be processed and considered at the next meeting of the Local Partnership
FR1151 – Lochwinnoch Chatterbox Trust - awarded £1,500
DECIDED: That it be agreed to award the grant applications as noted above.