Agenda item

An update will be provided to the forum on the funding recommendations that have been made by the Neighbourhood CIL for Bath and the Community Empowerment Fund.

Cllr Rob Appleyard explained the way the funding applications are being scrutinised is working well and that the working group is learning through the process.

The Neighbourhood CIL applications that are dealt with by the group need to meet specific criteria that show improved infrastructure and links to local development. This group are one of the first in the country that are at the stage of delivering projects to our communities through an area forum, the support of officers and how the guidance is interpreted is helping the group develop well in deciding on its recommendations.

Cllr Appleyard went through a list of funding recommendations from the Bath City Forum Working Group for CEF and CIL.

Community Empowerment Funding (CEF)

• £3,754 - Benches in Springfield Park
• £2,000 - Combe Down Firs Field Shaft Wall Project
• £10,000 – Student Community Partnership 
• £5,200 -  Bath City Football Club Community & Meeting Facilities
• £15,000 -  Bath City Football Club School Engagement Project
• £650 – Last Straw Campaign
• £100 – Playing Out Alexandra Road

Applications for the Bath Festivals; Curo Community Researcher; Refill Bath were not agreed.

The CEF funding programme has now closed, a total of £42,665 has been allocated by the Bath City Forum and £1,335 has been returned unspent.

Bath Neighbourhood CIL Funding

• £5,000 for speed signage on Bathwick Hill / Oakley
• £4,200 for vehicle access to Brickfields Park, Shophouse Road
• £43,200 for Alice Park pathways improvements
• £28,500 for the purchase of a community riverboat
• £19,600 for refurbishment of the scouts building
• £19,500 for community engagement activity delivered through the Bath Carnival. This is funding for one year and will be subject to confirmation on outcome being provided. A further amount will be considered for an additional two years but will be subject to outcomes in year one being met.

Applications for Camden Crescent Railings; Project 28 Office Equipment; Restoration and enhancement of abutments; Forest of Imagination and Curo Community Researcher were not agreed.

Cllr Dine Romero asked if there was a limit on the number of applications that an organisation could submit and how are conflicts are dealt with when the Council and Forum have different viewpoints?

Dave Dixon explained:

·  Bids are looked at on merit, not all applications that have been submitted have been successful. The outcomes are considered along with priorities and geographical locations. The CIL funds have criteria which determine how revenue and capital are allocated.

·  The working group are going to meet to review the application form and guidance; this will take into account the learning that has taken place in this process to date. The process needs to allow for creative applications and avoid being too prescriptive.

·  When CIL payments start to be made, successful organisations will receive a funding agreement which will include the requirement to provide feedback on their project outcomes.

·  Where conflict occurs in applications there will be requests made to clarify positions to work out why this is the case. The forum asks for clarity and pushes back when they think something is in conflict and needs to be reviewed. 

Jeremy Boss thanked the working group for a clear paper and felt that it is positive to see communities benefiting from the funding decisions which are being made. It was requested that the forum sees the running totals for the spending that has taken place.

Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall asked if the CEF would be available again in future years. Dave Dixon explained that the fund was provided for only one year. 

Andrew Page asked how the projects that are being supported will be reporting on their outcomes.

Dave Dixon explained that the working group will be asking for feedback and that the Bath City Forum Members are being asked to take part in attending the projects and reporting back. Volunteer’s form the forum are asked to let the officers know that they wish to participate in reporting on projects.

Cllr Mark Shelford explained that he has been involved in the introduction of a project which provided fruit trees in Alexandra Park; this has allowed the public to forage for fruit in the park. There is interest in putting in a bid for expansion of this scheme across 10 additional parks in the area.

Cllr Rob Appleyard explained that if an application is submitted it will be considered by the working group. 

Cllr Dine Romero suggested that other schemes could be looked at that also provide support for projects of this type.

Rosemary Naish explained that there are schemes such as free trees for banes and woodland trust where an offer for free packs of trees is made.