For publication

Bedford Borough Council – Report to the Mayor

November 2012

Report by the Assistant Director (Revenues, Benefits & Customer Services)

Subject: GRANT REQUESTS FROM PARISH COUNCILS

1. Executive Summary

This report invites the Mayor to consider a request for financial assistance towards a capital expenditure project from a rural Parish Council.

2. Recommendation

It is recommended that a grant of £25,000 is awarded to Wootton Parish Council towards the cost of a project to install a concrete skate park in the Wootton village recreation ground to enhance the use of this area by families and the community, subject to the following condition;

i. Alternative funding for the remaining cost of the project, £89,750, is obtained prior to the commencement of works.

3. Reasons for Recommendation

i. The application meets the criteria for the award of a rural grant, ii. The application is made by the Parish Council which is contributing £23,000 to the overall cost of the project, iii. Wootton Parish Council has stated that it has received written confirmation from the Council’s Planning Department that the proposed skate park constitutes permitted development under the terms of Part 12 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995 (as amended) and, therefore, does not require planning permission, iv. The Parish Council has confirmed that the ongoing revenue costs, including any specialist insurance costs, are to be met by the Parish Council, v. RoSPA is to undertake a post installation inspection of the skate park prior to it being open to the general public, vi. The project will provide additional sports facilities for children and young people, vii. The project will provide a facility for children and young people currently playing on footpaths and roads thus improving public safety.

4. Key Implications

4.1 Legal Issues

Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000 enables the Council to incur expenditure where it believes it would promote or improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the Borough provided the Council (which means the Committee in deciding whether to award a grant) has regard in each case to the Secretary of State’s Guidance set out in:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/15551 4.pdf

and also the Council’s Sustainable Communities Strategy:

http://www.bedfordboroughpartnership.org.uk/aboutus.aspx?sID=2.

Organisations applying for rural grants are required to show how the award of a grant will assist the Council’s in achieving its Corporate Objectives which contribute to the Sustainable Communities Strategy.

Financial regulations enable the Council to capitalise grants given to organisations for purposes that constitute capital expenditure.

4.2 Policy Issues

The Committee has previously agreed guidelines which will be used in the evaluation of applications for rural grants. The current guidelines are shown at Appendix A.

4.3 Resource Issues

The Council’s agreed Revenue Budget for 2012/13 includes a sum of £100,000 for Rural Grants. The Committee has previously awarded grants totalling £23,200 leaving a balance of £76,800 available for distribution. Whilst the award of grants will be funded from the Council’s revenue budget, the agreed guidelines for awards require that grants may only be awarded to assist with funding for capital projects.

There is one application for consideration for a total of £25,000.

4.4 Risk Implications

In awarding any grant there is a small risk that funding may be used for purposes other than that for which the award is made. To safeguard against this risk rural grant awards are only released to the applicant upon receipt of evidence that the work for which the award was made has been completed.

4.5 Environmental Issues

No adverse environmental implications have been identified as arising from the projects for which funding is sought.

4.6 Equality Impact

In preparing this report, due consideration has been given to the Borough Council’s statutory Equality Duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations, as set out in Section 149(1) of the Equality Act 2010.

A relevance test for equality has been completed. The equality test determined that the activity has no relevance to Borough Council’s statutory duty to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations. An equality analysis is not needed.

5. Details

The Committee is requested to consider the application shown at Appendix B, having regard to the approved criteria, which are attached at Appendix A.

To assist the Committee in reaching a decision, details in respect of the following are also attached:

Appendix A

The criteria and guidelines for the award of rural grants that were previously agreed by the Committee.

Appendix B

Details of the applications for consideration.

Appendix C – for each parish;

(a) the Council Tax Base (number of band D equivalent properties); (b) the total precept; (c) the precept charged for a Band D property; (d) the additional Band D precept required to raise a total of £1,000.

Appendix D – for each Parish;

The sums previously awarded under the current scheme to each Parish Council.

Appendix E

A list of the current band D parish precepts ranked from highest to lowest.

Appendix F

A list of the rural parishes ranked from highest to lowest by their Council Tax base.

6. Summary of Consultations and Outcome

The following Council Units or Officers and/or other organisations have been consulted in preparing this report:

Relevant Managers

No adverse comments have been received.

Report Contact Lee Phanco, Assistant Director (Revenues, Benefits & Officers: Customer Service) E-mail: [email protected]

File Reference: LP/rural grants

Previous Relevant None Minutes:

Background Papers: Applications from Parish Councils and Rural Organisations

Appendices: A – Criteria Rural Grants B – List of Grant Requests C – Council Tax 2012/13 D – Rural Grants Approved to date E – Parish Band D Council Tax (charges ranked high to low) F – Parishes ranked by size of the Council Tax base

APPENDIX A CRITERIA – RURAL GRANTS

Agreed by the Rural Affairs Committee 15th December 2009

(a) An application can be made by a rural organisation or a rural Parish Council. The Borough Council must be satisfied that the Rural Parish Council considers the application to be in the interests of their local inhabitants. An application will not be accepted unless it has been signed by the Chairman or Clerk to the Parish Council stating it to be in the interests of their local inhabitants.

(b) Applications can be made at any time, although they will only be considered three times a year, in April, September and January. To ensure an application is considered please ensure that it is submitted by the 20th of the previous month.

(c) Grants may only be made for capital projects.*

(d) Applicants seeking funding towards building projects valued at £100,000 or more are required to submit a Business Plan in support of the project and to make a presentation to the Rural Affairs Committee.

(e) Applicants seeking funding towards a project of £25,000 or more will be required to make a presentation to the Rural Affairs Committee at the first meeting that will consider the application.

(f) The Borough Council must have the statutory power to make a grant for the purpose applied for (for example, community premises improvements/ refurbishments to such premises and provision of recreational facilities).

(g) Applicants are required to demonstrate that their projects meet one or more of the objectives set out in Section 3 of the application form.

(h) Projects which would normally be funded by statutory agencies, are unlikely to be eligible for grant (e.g. improvements to street lighting, improvements to educational premises (unless to facilitate community use)).

(i) Funding for projects on land not directly in the ownership of the organisation concerned will ordinarily only be considered if the organisation can demonstrate that the land will be available for use for the purpose of the grant for a period of at least 10 years (e.g. the construction of a multi use sports area on third party land leased to an organisation for a period of over 10 years).

(j) The Borough Council wishes to see its assistance maximised and, in any event, it may not have sufficient resources to assist all the requests put forward by a rural organisation or a rural Parish Council. The Borough Council would prefer to give assistance to a Rural Parish Council or an organisation approved by the Parish Council that has made efforts to provide an initial realistic percentage from its own resources or other sources particularly when larger amounts are being requested and the Borough Council might then contribute towards the balance. In order to help the Council in its decision a Rural Parish Council or organisation should be able to satisfy the Council that it has made the effort to fund the balance by looking at the following areas:

(i) Fundraising generally; (ii) Grant applications from other bodies; (iii) Seeking loan assistance from the Association of Local Councils; (iv) Loan from the Public Works Loan Board; (v) Fundraising from the Parish Precept; and (vi) Contribution by the Parish Council.

A grant will not normally be approved unless at least 10% of the cost of the project for which a grant is requested is funded from other sources.

(k) In determining the grant application due regard will be given to the level of contribution proposed by the Parish Council, the level of non-earmarked reserves held by the Parish Council and level of Council Tax Precept.

(l) In determining the grant application from organisations other than Parish Councils due regard will also be given to the level of financial reserves held by the organisation, the annual income and expenditure, and the ability or otherwise to generate additional income.

(m) Levels of past funding by the Borough to individual Parish Council areas and parish precepts may be taken into account in assessing new grant requests.

(n) Where funding is awarded the Borough Council will not be responsible for meeting any ongoing revenue costs.

(o) Where funding is awarded the recipient organisation will, if considered appropriate by Bedford Borough Council, be required to display a plaque provided by Bedford Borough Council recognising the grant awarded or otherwise will be required to recognise the funding on their letter heads/publicity material.

(p) Where funding is awarded, payment will be made to the Parish Council following receipts from the organisation of payments made.

(q) Support for any project will normally be limited to £25,000.

(r) Applications in excess of £1,000 will not normally be considered unless three independent quotations are provided for each aspect of the works, goods or services, costing in excess of £1,000 for which the grant is sought.

* Capital expenditure is generally expenditure on the acquisition or enhancement of an asset. Expenditure on routine maintenance and repair cannot normally be classed as capital expenditure .

APPENDIX B

GRANTS REQUESTS

AMOUNT PARISH DETAIL OF SCHEME REQUESTED Wootton This application is submitted by Wootton Parish Council. £25,000

The project for which financial assistance is requested is to install a concrete skatepark in Wootton to provide additional sports facilities for children and young people. This will be located at the village recreation ground and will enhance the use of the area by families and the community.

‘Wootton Ramps & Riders’ was formed by four boys who wish to improve play facilities for children and young people in Wootton. Much support has been shown for the project not only by other young people but also older generations in the village. A petition raised over 700 signatures in just a two week period and all residents have been consulted, resulting in overwhelming support for a skatepark.

At present, children are using scooters, inline skating and BMX cycles etc. on paths and roads which is unsafe. A concrete skatepark will provide a suitable surface with well designed ramps which will appeal to all ages from the novice to the more experienced. The need for such a facility is very apparent, young people are building their own ramps (often out of unsafe materials) and using them on paths or roads. Many children scooter around the village and use kerbs to practise tricks.

Wootton’s population is set to increase over the next few years with an additional 600 houses in the process of being built in the village. The skatepark will be a free facility and available for use 365 days a year in daylight hours.

Information provided on the application form states that the Parish Council owns the land where the skatepark will be built and that written confirmation has been received from the

The Mayor - Rural Grants – November 2012 (1) Grant Requests from Parish Councils

Council’s Planning Department that the proposed skatepark constitutes permitted development under the terms of Part 12 of the General Permitted Development Order 1995 (as amended) and, therefore, does not require planning permission, The ongoing revenue costs and maintenance costs will be met from an earmarked sum from the annual precept. Insurance obligations will be met under the Parish Council’s existing policy.

Three quotes are provided as follows (excluding VAT);

Quote 1 £110,250 Quote 2 £115,000 Quote 3 £96,500 plus optional extras including RoSPA inspection (£550), No 1 bin (£500) and concrete picnic tables and three benches (£1,800)

Wootton Parish Council previously received Rural Grants as follows; £40,235 between 2001/02 and 2005/06, £2,000 in 2007/08, £10,815 in 2008/09 and £3,600 in 2009/10.

This application for a Rural Grant is for the sum of £25,000. The total cost of this project is estimated to be £115,000 (excluding VAT). The Parish Council supports the application and is to contribute £23,000 towards the cost. A contribution of £250 has been made by a local company. The Womens’ Institute of Wootton holds an annual craft fair in November each year with 50% of the funds being donated to a chosen charity. This year they are showing their support for this project by donating towards the skatepark.

The Mayor - Rural Grants – November 2012 (2) Grant Requests from Parish Councils APPENDIX C COUNCIL TAX 2012/13

Band D Additional 2012/13 Total Parish Precept £1,000 Tax Base Precept 2012/13 Precept £ £ £ 1,116.93 40,000 35.81 0.90 119.77 13,080 109.21 8.35 & 337.01 9,000 26.71 2.97 Bromham 2,143.30 103,720 48.39 0.47 Cardington 143.95 7,000 48.63 6.95 Carlton & 385.42 14,892 38.64 2.59 Clapham 1,572.40 66,000 41.97 0.64 186.21 8,000 42.96 5.37 319.72 17,730 55.45 3.13 Dean & Shelton 180.56 4,286 23.74 5.54 Eastcotts 1,095.72 49,000 44.72 0.91 1,008.73 15,000 14.87 0.99 & Radwell 357.24 15,000 41.99 2.80 809.82 46,500 57.42 1.23 623.78 18,645 29.89 1.60 Harrold 704.72 72,704 103.17 1.42 Rural 499.24 17,500 35.05 2.00 Knotting & 123.36 3,440 27.88 8.11 215.16 4,928 22.90 4.65 & 205.75 4,500 21.87 4.86 338.94 13,856 40.88 2.95 Oakley 971.99 50,100 51.54 1.03 Odell 140.68 6,600 46.91 7.11 354.76 8,890 25.06 2.82 & Swineshead 167.28 5,000 29.89 5.98 182.16 10,000 54.9 5.49 794.13 6,987 8.80 1.26 1,018.85 17,000 16.69 0.98 Riseley 543.09 23,600 43.46 1.84 Roxton 216.3 13,000 60.10 4.62 955.37 48,500 50.77 1.05 167.9 7,500 44.67 5.96 136.26 6,300 46.24 7.34 278.82 12,500 44.83 3.59 382.8 60,000 156.74 2.61 286.79 5,500 19.18 3.49 Turvey 524.33 16,500 31.47 1.91 Wilden 189.69 10,000 52.72 5.27 Willington 368.83 9,000 24.40 2.71 Wilshamstead 1,358.01 63,200 46.54 0.74 Wootton 1,534.36 105,120 68.51 0.65 Wyboston, & 304.35 10,839 35.61 3.29 297.84 15,500 52.04 3.36 APPENDIX D RURAL GRANTS APPROVED TO DATE

2001/02 Parish to 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Total 2006/07

Biddenham 28,102 10,000 38,102

Bletsoe 11,853 11,853

Bolnhurst & 9,757 16,506 2,000 28,263 Keysoe

Bromham 39,000 15,000 2,200 56,200

Cardington 2,656 12,198 14,854

Carlton & 14542 3,000 7,950 25,492 Chellington

Clapham 29,477 20,000 2,000 7,000 25,000 83,477

Colmworth 40,000 15,000 55,000

Cople 22,154 24,300 46,454

Dean & Shelton 4,350 2,900 7,250

Eastcotts 20,460 1,385 900 22,745

Elstow 13,500 1,000 5,250 30,000 5,000 54,750

Felmersham & 5,000 10,000 15,000 Radwell

Great Barford 41,356 41,356

Great Denham - 0

Harrold 22,617 1,500 24,117

Kempston Rural 12,500 12,500

Knotting & 8,890 8,890 Souldrop

Little Barford - 0

Little Staughton 12,525 2,000 14,000 1,932 30,457

Melchbourne & 16,140 26,539 500 9,000 52,179 Yieldon

Milton Ernest 11,500 3,000 14,500

2001/02 Parish to 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Total 2006/07

Oakley 49,241 5,000 25,000 79,241

Odell 1,500 46,975 45,475

Pavenham 13,510 1,000 5,186 19,696

Pertenhall & 12,429 207 3,000 25,000 40,636 Swineshead

Podington 11,603 11,000 12,000 4,500 39,103

Ravensden 3,000 25,000 1,000 29,000

Renhold 13,583 9,500 23,083

Riseley 33,968 10,000 25,000 770 69,738

Roxton 83,500 83,500

Sharnbrook 77,345 9,000 6,678 18,000 111,023

Stagsden 20,089 2,500 22,589

Staploe 18,789 18,789

Stevington 24,400 11,300 35,700

Stewartby 580 2,000 2,391 800 10,300* 16,071

Thurleigh 17,100 1,000 10,000 28,100

Turvey 8,000 2,300 4,500 8,000 22,800

Wilden 4,000 2,162 6,162

Willington 8,250 1,038 15,000 24,288

Wilshamstead 56,250 25,000 20,000 101,250

Wootton 40,234 2,000 10,815 3,600 56,649 Wyboston, Chawston & - - 1,500 1,500 Colesden

Wymington 5,750 1,500 2,000 9,250

Total 913,475 92,330 136,439 197,470 85,300 80,368 23,200 1,528,582 * Application originally received in 2009/10 and funded from 2009/10 allocation. APPENDIX E

COUNCIL TAX BAND D PARISH PRECEPTS 2012/13 (RANKED HIGH TO LOW)

Precept Parish 2012/13 Stewartby 156.74 Bletsoe 109.21 Harrold 103.17 Wootton 68.51 Roxton 60.10 Great Barford 57.42 Cople 55.45 Podington 54.90 Wilden 52.72 Wymington 52.04 Oakley 51.54 Sharnbrook 50.77 Cardington 48.63 Bromham 48.39 Odell 46.91 Wilshamstead 46.54 Staploe 46.24 Stevington 44.83 Eastcotts 44.72 Stagsden 44.67 Riseley 43.46 Colmworth 42.96 Felmersham & Radwell 41.99 Clapham 41.97 Milton Ernest 40.88 Carlton & Chellington 38.64 Biddenham 35.81 Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden 35.61 35.05 Turvey 31.47 Great Denham 29.89 Pertenhall & Swineshead 29.89 Knotting & Souldrop 27.88 Bolnhurst & Keysoe 26.71 Pavenham 25.06 Willington 24.40 Dean & Shelton 23.74 Little Staughton 22.90 Melchbourne & Yielden 21.87 Thurleigh 19.18 Renhold 16.69 Elstow 14.87 Ravensden 8.80

APPENDIX F Parishes Ranked by Tax Base (High to Low)

2012/13 Parish Tax Base Bromham 2,143.30 Clapham 1,572.40 Wootton 1,534.36 Wilshamstead 1,358.01 Biddenham 1,116.93 Eastcotts 1,095.72 Renhold 1,018.85 Elstow 1,008.73 Oakley 971.99 Sharnbrook 955.37 Great Barford 809.82 Ravensden 794.13 Harrold 704.72 Great Denham 623.78 Riseley 543.09 Turvey 524.33 Kempston Rural 499.24 Carlton & Chellington 385.42 Stewartby 382.80 Willington 368.83 Felmersham & Radwell 357.24 Pavenham 354.76 Milton Ernest 338.94 Bolnhurst & Keysoe 337.01 Cople 319.72 Wyboston, Chawston & Colesden 304.35 Wymington 297.84 Thurleigh 286.79 Stevington 278.82 Roxton 216.30 Little Staughton 215.16 Melchbourne & Yielden 205.75 Wilden 189.69 Colmworth 186.21 Podington 182.16 Dean & Shelton 180.56 Stagsden 167.90 Pertenhall & Swineshead 167.28 Cardington 143.95 Odell 140.68 Staploe 136.26 Knotting & Souldrop 123.36 Bletsoe 119.77