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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE
COMMITTEE

19 September 2024

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor R Elmer (Chairman)
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor J Price
Councillor N Roberts

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
Two members of the public

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

Michael Hockley (in the capacity of a member of the public) noted that the grant application from EBUFC
Juniors had been made in writing and supplementary financial information had been provided. He
considered the request to be reasonable both in terms of the costs of hiring the primary school field and
for additional items of equipment and costs arising from the requirement for additional pitches when
necessary. He was aware of a newly formed Under 7 team and works needed at Flatford Lane to trees
and the netting fence. Whilst the club had a closing balance of £7,480 this had come about following a
massive fund-raising initiative which had raised c.£3,500 without which the balance of just over £4,000
was just about adequate as a prudent reserve for unexpected expenditure. He asked for the support of the
Parish Council for the application.

Lee Partridge, the Chairman of the Junior Club, explained that £2,500 was required for hiring the primary
school field for Saturday morning sessions for girls and mini football and this was the priority. It enables
extra teams to train and reduces the parking pressure at Gandish Road.

The club is also taking on the Raydon Playing Field at a substantial loss and need a reserve for this and
similar purposes.

The £1,000 request is for new goals at the primary school of a suitable size to enable matches to be
played by junior teams. The cost of the equipment is c.£1,200. The goals will remain at the primary school
and will benefit the school as well, due to dual use.

The club made a profit of £1,800 in the last financial year as a result of the fundraiser which raised £3,400.
The equipment spend for the year had been £2,200. The Council’s grant of £2,300 for the primary school
hire had been the only grant received. Subscriptions for the year had amounted to £17,800 and this will
increase by £6,000 in 2024/25 due to an increase in subs and more children joining the club. The grant
from the Council may appear to be a luxury at first sight but provides value for money and does help
substantially to keep the club solvent. If there is no grant for 2024/25 the club may have to withdraw from
the primary school.

At present the only external use of the field is by EBUFC Juniors but the school may wish to hire out the
facility at other times which would be much easier for them with the proper sized, movable goals.

The club has approached the Football Foundation for grant aid and whilst they are willing to consider an
application this will not meet the timing criterion for the current season.

With regard to the £500 to support winter training Councillor Roberts asked why that could not be applied
for when it was needed rather than in prospect of it being needed. Mr Partridge replied that whilst the
money was not absolutely necessary at this precise moment, it would be beneficial to have it to hold
against the likely need for additional facilities in bad weather.

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The Chairman closed the Open Public Session at 8.55pm.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence from Councillors Davies, Miller and Woodcock were NOTED.

2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None.

3. DETERMINATION OF GRANT APPLICATION
Councillor Roberts emphasised that although he had asked questions about the club’s finances, he did
not wish to speak against the club’s application as he wished to encourage the club to grow. He
pointed out that other grants may be available to the club from equipment manufacturers.

It was proposed by Councillor Price, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED (unanimously)
that pursuant to Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011 a grant of £4,000 be awarded to East Bergholt
United FC Juniors for the purposes of hiring the primary school field for Saturday morning training
(£2,500), purchasing goals for use at the primary school (£1,000) and for hire costs of facilities for
winter training when other pitches cannot be used (£500).

The meeting closed at 9pm.

Chairman…………………………………………………………………………………….Date……………………………………….