Chair-led discussion to consider current funding applications.

The Interim Place Manager thanked Members for their work in analysing the proposals which had been put forward for consideration. The process undertaken to date was described, and a table presented showing weighted overall scorings for the 16 projects under consideration.

Discussion points included:

•                the overall evaluation process, discussing at length how the data may be used fairly and constructively in guiding their decisions;

•                the availability of seed funding;

•                the capacity to carry forward funds to later years;

•                specific detail on proposals where options were presented and final figures were not available;

•                the outcome of workshops and how these informed the Boards priorities, and;

•                how the decisions before them could be made to maximise community impact, especially in deprived areas, and deliver significant change.

Members discussed projects where other funding sources may be available, and took advice from Council Officers on projects where feasibility studies were requested alongside longer term funding, and how the fund could be utilised to facilitate the projects in question without committing to multi-year funding where the efficacy was not yet known.

The Board also sought assurances that projects which were not funded at this round would continue to be considered for funding. The Interim Place Manager confirmed that conversations would continue with these organisations, and the projects which did not receive funding would remain eligible for consideration at future meetings.

The Board arrived at a consensus around six projects, and agreed to the initial principle that funding would be restricted to single capital projects or year-1 only where revenue funding was requested, in order that the fund was not over committed. All the projects taken forward supported the four previously-agreed priorities for awarding funding (physically improving the town centre, reducing crime and improving safety, improving neighbourhoods (including affordable housing) and work and skills. Members who had a personal interest in the funding application were not permitted to vote.

It was agreed unanimously (by those entitled to vote) that the following projects would receive funding as detailed :

St Mary Magdalene Church

Interests declared – none

£3,600 capital and £34,000 revenue to stop the Living Room from closing and continue operations twice weekly for the coming year. This funding was conditional and if they secured alternative funding to support homeless people, this funding would be returned. Torbay Communities and Torbay Council, where possible, to support to help identify a longer-term funding provision.

Royal Lyceum Theatre Revitalisation

Interests declared – none

£141,587 capital funding for roof repairs, preliminary repairs to front facade and completion of kitchen.

Ellacombe Community Multi-Use Facility

Interests Declared:

Peter Friend, as a part of Together Church.

£60,000 capital to enable safe and controlled reopening of part of the building for restricted use.

Barton Recreation Ground Community Hub

Interests Declared:

Jim Parker, as the chair of Barton Cricket Club.

£35,000 revenue for architectural design, surveys, and cost validation for plans to transform Barton Recreation Ground into a modern Community, Health, Wellbeing and Sports Hub, acting as the physical anchor for the Torbay cradle-to-career strategy across Torquay.

Higher Union Street Regeneration

Interest declared – none

£10,740 capital and £8,500 revenue to improve shop fronts and window displays in Torre, plus a new 6-month hub.

Windmill Centre and Windmill Hill

Interests declared:

Emma Ellis, as the Chief Officer of the Windmill Charity Torbay; and

Lynne Roberts, as a Partnership Manager for Sanctuary Housing.

£21,000 revenue for a feasibility study into renovations and costed options for a new community hub. The hub would improve accessibility, enhance sustainability, increase engagement with the community and community capacity.

Action – to confirm the totals allocated and remaining amount of funding for Year 1 (Jon-Paul Hedge).

(Note: Tracey Cabache declared a non-pecuniary interest in all funding applications as Director of Torbay Communities and due to her involvement in managing the process for funding and wishing to maintain independence and did not participate in any votes.)