Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Wicks, Evans, Cockburn, Ward, Dunsmore and Edmonds.

Councillors Merryweather and Mirylees were present remotely.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7^th March 2019 at Appendix A.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18^th November 2021 were agreed.

To note that the Trust normally allocates interest and preserves the capital fund.  In general, this means approximately £25k has been available in recent years.  However, the previous two years have seen allocations less than the interest earned and so there is flexibility for the Trustee to award a higher sum if that is the preference. 

In 2020/21 the Trust allocated £15,710 (after some grants were not taken up as a result of covid) and interest of £27,415 was earned.  In the previous year there was interest of £27,301 and grants made of £17,590.

The Trust noted that it normally allocated interest and preserves the capital fund.

In general, this means approximately £25k has been available in recent years. However, the previous two years had seen allocations less than the interest earned and so there was flexibility for the Trustee to award a higher sum if that was the preference. In 2020/21 the Trust allocated £15,710 (after some grants were not taken up as a result of covid) and interest of £27,415 was earned. In the previous year there was interest of £27,301 and grants made of £17,590.

It was RESOLVED nem con that the financial report be noted.

To consider applications received for funding for the financial year from 1^st April 2022 attached at Appendix B.

Applications had been received for funding for the financial year from 1^st April 2022. Of note in particular was that proposed for Farnham Craft Cafés. Farnham Craft Cafés were spaces for those interested in crafting to meet new people.

The project would build participation and audiences for craft in Farnham and strengthen the town’s World Craft City status. The funding would enable them to turn a pilot into a sustainable offer. The pilot, run in partnership with Hale Community Centre, was a great success providing structure, a sense of community all whilst teaching the participant new creative skills.

The funding would allow them to test this model once the Cafés were more established and participants could see the value in contributing to costs. £7,786 would allow them to run the Cafés for a year and set up 2 new locations, including Wrecclesham (hopefully Brambleton Hall) and an eastern location of the town, reaching 80 people and working with up to 9 local artists. The Trustees agreed that this was a beneficial project and to go with the higher amount as suggested in taking it forward.

It was proposed by Sally Dickson and seconded by David Attfield and RESOLVED nem com that allocations be approved with the amendment that the additional amount be given for the Farnham Café project (making a total grant of £7,786).

The total grants approved for 2023 was £24,303 out of a total requested of £35,246.  The full list is attached at Annex 1 to these minutes.

To agree the appointment of R. J. Smith, FCA of Milne Eldridge & Co as the Independent Examiner for 2021/22.

It was RESOLVED that R.J Smith FCA of Milne Eldridge & Co be appointed as the Independent Examiner for 2021/22. 

To consider how the specific nature of the Farnham South Street Trust can be used to develop Farnham as a World Craft Town within the terms of reference and the Trust Deed.

There was interest in making a contribution to Farnham World Craft Town but the item was deferred for further consideration to clarify the position of the Trustee.

The date of the next meeting will be confirmed in due course.

The date of the next meeting was to be confirmed.