Agenda item

Consider report by Service Director Customer & Communities providing details of a Community Grant Scheme application from the Teviot & Liddesdale budget (copy attached).

7.1       There had been circulated copies of a report by the Service Director Customer & Communities asking Members to consider a Community Grant Scheme (CGS) application from the Teviot & Liddesdale budget.  The application had been brought to the Executive Committee for consideration as the local Ward Members could not reach a decision which had more than 50% support. The report explained that Teviot & Liddesdale Community Grant Scheme 2018/19 budget had £14,442.50 remaining. The application was from Hawick Reivers Association (HRA) which organised and managed an annual festival in Hawick based on the theme of Borders Reivers. The festival was established in 2005.  The request for £5,000 was to purchase 9 gazebos and tables which would be used by stall holders participating in the Hawick Reivers Festival street market.  The total cost of purchasing the equipment was £5,611.45.  Gazebos would be available for use by other community groups outwith the festival weekend. The report explained that HRA successfully applied to the Community Grant Scheme for £5,000 in 2017/18 for the purchase of 10 gazebos, making a total of 15 owned by the Association.  Whilst HRA had demonstrated that the gazebos were well used in the community, the number of gazebos HRA currently had was enough to satisfy demand from other community groups and accommodate the festival stall holders when used alongside the additional gazebos they were able to source from other towns / groups. The report’s recommendation was to not approve a grant of £5,000 to Hawick Reivers Association.

7.2       Members expressed some discomfort at being asked to consider this application, believing that the decision should more justifiably be made by local Members with local knowledge.  However, as in this particular case a decision could not be reached by local Members, they proceeded to discuss the application. In doing so they placed significant weight on the advice and recommendation provided by officers within the report.  Members noted that, in addition to the grant of £5,000 from the Community Grant Scheme in 2017/18, HRA had also secured £3,000 from Hawick Common Good Fund in 2017/18 and 2018/19 to help cover running costs of the festival.  They recognised the value of the weekend festival in attracting local, national and international visitors and it was suggested that officers be tasked to assist HRA to work towards a more financially sustainable model for future years.

            VOTE

            Councillor Edgar, seconded by Councillor Rowley, moved to support the report’s recommendation not to give a grant of £5,000 to Hawick Reivers Association.

            Councillor Weatherston, seconded by Councillor Tatler, moved as an amendment that, being mindful of the split decision of local Elected Members, a grant of £2,500 be given to Hawick Reivers Association, this being half of the amount requested.

            On a show of hands Members voted as follows:-

            Motion             - 5 votes

            Amendment     - 2 votes

            The motion was accordingly carried.

            DECISION

DECIDED

(a)          not to approve a grant of £5,000 to Hawick Reivers Association; and

(b)          to ask officers to support HRA to work towards a more financially sustainable model.