Agenda and minutes

Due to technical difficulties experienced by Coucillor Sheldon,  the meeting was chaired by Councillor Hart (Vice-Chair).

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting held on the 4^th November 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to, Councillor Gledhill’s apologies being recorded for this meeting.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests:

·         Other Interests

The Board received a report on the current status of projects at:

2015/16 OFFERS:

          Gazebo, Whitehough, Ipstones

Still waiting for doors to be installed and then the scheme would be complete. Officers recommended that if the works were not complete by 30 June 2021 the remaining grant of £1,000 was withdrawn.
                                                  

          2016/17 OFFERS:

          The Trough, Biddulph

          Awaiting commencement.

2018/2019 OFFERS:

Foxlowe, Leek

Works to repair the roof were complete and the final payment of grant had been made. The render repairs were also complete and payment of the grant had been made.

Leekbrook Interpretation Panels

The Leekbrook boards were with the designers and it was hoped to place the order with Leek Signs imminently.

2019/2020 OFFERS:  

          Halls Road Community Notice Board, Biddulph

Notice boards were complete and in situ. Officers had requested photographs before payment of grant could be made.     

            42 Compton, Leek

          No further update.

          55 Chorley Street

          Works currently on site.

St Johns the Evangelist Church, Hollington

          Works complete and grant paid 

            Kinglsey and Froghall Station Platform

          The applicant was currently collating quotes for the work.  Subject to availability of a suitable contractor they hope to commence works in approximately 3 months time.

          Leekbrook Rail Track

          No further update.  

          2020/2021 OFFERS:

          Gillow Heath Station

No update to report.

The Board received a report which contained a financial summary and sought Member’s approval to allocate grant funding from the Moorlands

Partnership Board in 2020/21. The budget for this year was £50,000.

This report allowed members to consider applications for environmental enhancement and heritage grants under the MPB for funding toward suitable projects within the district. To date the following awards had been made this financial year.

The Finance Team had agreed to roll forward any unallocated funds to the subsequent 4 years funding of the MPB. That would equate to an enhanced budget of £60,350 in 2021/22 followed by a further 3 years with a £60,000 budget. However, the usual budget rules would apply and there would be no ability to carry forward any unused allocation.
                                                         

Joanne Brooks (Regeneration Officer), also advised members that she had received a number of grant enquiries and that an application from Cheadle Cards, High Street in Cheadle was likely to be received in July 2021.

The Board discussed the possibility of an application for grant funding to be received for the repair of the summer houses at St Edwards Park in Cheddleton. A grant had previously been withdrawn for this project as the applicant was unable to demonstrate sufficient public access to the buildings. However, the new management were keen to proceed with the refurbishment and work with the Parish Council to address the issue around the public access. A Board member also confirmed that the summer houses were in public areas.

RESOLVED:

1)    The Board NOTED the financial summary in 3.1 of the report and proposed enhanced funding for future years in paragraph 3.2.

2)    Members APPROVED a 50% grant of £3,650 towards the repair of 4 sliding sash windows at the upper floor of 6 Russell Street, Leek at a cost of £7,300.

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and the date of the next meeting (provisionally mid-July 2021), would be circulated to members in due in course.