Agenda item

Cllr Pauline Coakley Webb- Friern Barnet Community Library

 

Cllr Coakley Webb presented the item. The Committee noted that the library had been taken over by the Trust, responsible for internal works. One of three quotes for re-decoration was accepted and submitted for Committee’s consideration.

 

The Chairman was in support of the application but noted that issues like damp are complex and difficult to identify. Invoices should make clear where the damp is coming from and any internal works guarantee to repair the damp.

 

Invoices did not provide information of required works to help Members make an informed decision. Members agreed that quotes from suppliers must be detailed, clear and up to date.

 

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted to defer the application as follows:

 

For	5
Against	0
Abstained	2

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Defers the application for further information as outlined above.

 

 

Cllr Laurie Williams - Oak Hill Park: Playground in the North of the Park

 

Cllr Byers who was in support of the application, queried whether the original scheme had been progressed. The Lead Officer explained that following initial approval, the scheme had been reviewed and required additional funding for viability.

 

Members asked for an itemised breakdown of the request for funding and supplementary information. The Lead Officer explained that Members are encouraged to liaise with Officers as early as possible and that there was no mandatory format to NCIL applications. However, further information may be provided at the Committee’s request.

 

Officers advised that if the item were to be deferred, it could be brought back to a future Committee once supplementary information was available.

 

Members requested that the item include Cllr Williams’ initial request and any subsequent information for Committee’s consideration.

 

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted to defer the application as follows:

 

For	7
Against	0

 

RESOLVED that theCommittee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Defers the application for further information as outlined above.

 

 

Cllr Paul Edwards – Barnet Museum Notice Board

 

Cllr Edwards presented the item.

 

Members were of the opinion that it was not within the Area Committee’s remit to grant funding for schemes managed by Trustees.

 

Officers reaffirmed that organisations run by Trustees would not preclude a request for NCIL funding with support from the ward Member.

The Chairman was in support of the application as it would benefit the wider community.

 

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted in favour of the application as follows:

For	7
Against	0

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Awards full funding and notes the implications to the Committee’s NCIL budget.

 

Cllr Coakley Webb - Community Focus: New IT infrastructure

Cllr Coakley Webb presented the item highlighting the valuable use of facilities. The organisation’s own contribution of £5,000 towards the new IT infrastructure had been noted.

The Chairman was in support of the application but noted that the chosen model may not be future proof.  The Chairman said that Apple demonstrated its M Series of chips as future proof in comparison to intel core, which could also be obtained at a much lower cost.

Therefore, a better quote for the equipment was to be sought from Jigsaw for cost efficiency and sustainability.

 

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted to defer the application as follows:

For	7
Against	0

 

RESOLVED that theCommittee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Defers the application for further information as outlined above.

 

 

Cllr Alison Cornelius – Brook Farm Open Space: New Toddler & Junior Playground

 

Cllr Cornelius presented the item on behalf of the constituency. A site assessment had been carried out by Officers to identify a suitable location.

 

The Chairman was in support of the application and said that the play area would be well received by local residents. The Chairman also informed the committee that if they were inclined to support this application then this could be a Flagship project.

 

Members raised concerns on approving more NCIL funding than was available in the current budget. The Lead Officer explained that if the Committee were inclined to approve the request, funding could be split between two years.

 

The Chairman suggested that perhaps for the next financial year it would be a good idea to suspend any large items to allow smaller NCIL items to be prioritised over larger items. The Chair recommended that Committee consider past decisions and to focus on smaller projects to ensure fairness and proportionality.

 

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted in favour of the application as follows:

For	6
Against	0
Abstained	1

 

RESOLVED that theCommittee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Awards partial funding of £100,000 from this year’s budget and the remaining £100,000 to be awarded next financial year for delivery of the project.

-Notes the implications to the Committee’s NCIL budget.

 

Cllr Sachin Rajput – Love Whetstone: Benches & Planters (Jubilee commemoration)

Cllr Rajput presented the item and the need for new benches in the area. The request was for at least one bench with a plaque and planters to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event.

The Chairman was in support of the application but emphasised the need to ascertain the number of benches in the area and how many were needed for the amount of funding requested. The Chairman also queried if whether the benches needed to be replaced.

The Lead Officer said that new benches may be required in a few locations. The Council could operate within the current framework to procure the benches for better rates and recommend appropriate locations for the benches and planters.

Members said that it would be useful to know the distance between benches.

It was therefore decided for one bench and a plaque and planters for now only.

 

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted in favour of the application as follows:

For	7
Against	0

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Awards partial funding of £3,000 (for 1 bench with plaque and 2 planters) to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee.

-Notes the implications to the Committee’s NCIL budget.

 

Cllr Nicole Richer - New Barnet Scout Group Minibus

Cllr Richer presented the item highlighting the range of activities the minibus would be used for including learning and development for young people with social, emotional and mental health issues.

The Chairman invited Mr Michael Proctor to address the queries from the Committee. Mr Proctor spoke about the benefits of the project and its sustainability.

The Chairman was in support of the application especially as it would benefit the wider community.

Members pointed out that funding could have been sought from all Area Committees as the minibus would be used by other areas of the Borough. Mr Proctor clarified that whilst there are other scout groups, ownership and responsibility of the vehicle would lie with the Barnet Scouts Groups based in East Barnet.

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted in favour of the application as follows:

For	5
Against	0
Abstained	2

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Awards funding of £20,000 and notes the implications to the Committee’s     NCIL budget.

 

Cllr Barry Rawlings – Allotmentz: Primary School Food Education Infrastructure

Cllr Rawlings presented the item highlighting the educational benefits and sustainability of growing food.

The Chairman supported the idea of hydroponics but queried whether it was within the Area Committee’s remit to approve funding. Schools had access to other grants for extracurricular activities. The Chairman felt that approving the application would set a precedence for other schools who would follow suit.

Cllr Rawlings clarified that funding was not going to be provided to the school but to the charity supporting the social enterprise. The organisation’s details was unclear and the Chairman did not believe this was within the remit.

Officers provided a wider CIL definition which included the enabling and supporting of healthy lifestyles and access to healthy food.

Further to a discussion, the Committee voted to reject the application as follows:

For	5
Against	2

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Rejects the application due to lack of company information and due to the fact that schools have access to grants to fund such projects.

 

Cllr Laurie Williams – Allotmentz: Primary School Food Education Infrastructure

Members reached the same conclusion on this item as the previous item.

Therefore, the Committee voted to reject the application as follows:

For	4
Against	2
Abstained	1

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Rejects the application because of reasons outlined above.

 

Cllr Tim Roberts – Strength & Learning through Horses

Cllr Roberts presented the item. The Councillor talked about the life changing educational support the charity would provide to young people. The funding would also help acquire a classroom where young people would be able to learn and engage.

 

Members queried whether the classroom would require planning permission. Members also enquired about leaseholder information and photos of what the classroom would look like.

Therefore, the Committee voted to defer the application for further information subject to planning permission as follows:

For	5
Against	2

 

RESOLVED that the Committee:

-Considers the request as highlighted in section 1 of the report.

-Defers the application to obtain a breakdown of funding and further information.

 

The Chairman exercised her discretion to continue the meeting until 10:30pm. The Committee was in agreement.

 

Cllr Lisa Rutter - Extension of Double Yellow Lines

 

It was noted that this item had been to the Executive Director, Environment for consideration.