Issue - meetings

To receive the minutes of the Major Grants Panel minutes on 21 January 2019.

The minutes of the Major Grants Panel meeting held on 21 January 2019 were submitted.

Councillor Musgrave, having given notice under Standing Order No.44, spoke on this item. He stated that he was representing two important community assets in his ward - Exeter Eagles BMX Club and Exeter Aces Cycle Speedway Club - who were Council tenants operating on the site for 30 years. They demonstrated strong community spirit and contributed to making Exeter more active. The clubs had written to the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Place and Commercialisation about the proposed percentage cuts in their Council rent grant. He understood the reasons for the major grants review but wanted Members to be aware that should these proposals go ahead then both clubs would close within three months of the next full Council as the clubs had no financial resilience. He asked Members to consider an asset transfer to these clubs and he invited Members to visit and see the club in action.

In response to a question, Councillor Musgrave confirmed that the BMX was very affordable for families and that they could ride the entire track for an entire Saturday afternoon for just £2.  Both clubs operated on a not for profit basis.

Councillor Warwick, having given notice under Standing Order No.44, spoke on this item. He stated that use of these clubs should be maximised to reflect the Council’s commitment to health and an active life style. He had received correspondence from the BMX Club regarding the reduction in their rent grant which also affected the Cycle Speedway Club. He had been working with the clubs to look at solutions and including a possible asset transfer. The clubs attracted people from all over the country and were well respected, it was important that young people had facilities to boost health and fitness. The volunteers running the organisations had improved the facilities including safety measures. Whilst recognising the main reasons for the grants cuts provision being the continued austerity these cuts left two very worthwhile projects under threat and he referred to other groups faced with cuts such as Rape Crisis.  He recognised that the Council did not have a legal duty to support these organisations and that there were other funding available such as crowd funding although it did have a duty to the communities that it represented and he asked that Executive commit to a plan to help such organisations to secure their long term future.

Councillor Wood, having given notice under Standing Order No.44, spoke on this item. He stated that the Council continued to face funding cuts from central government and had sought to mitigate the impact of these cuts on Voluntary and community grants in an imaginative and creative way. He recognised that the Council did not wish to destabilise any groups and the detail and impact of any transitional process was crucial. Although a Trustee of Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau he was speaking on behalf of all of the organisations on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23