Members

• Stephen Boyce (Chair) (in person)
• Tamsin Daniel (all, other than Redruth Buttermarket) (virtually via MS Teams)
• Claire Feehilly (Trustee) (in person)
• Lydia Lee (in person)
• Claire Madge (in person)
• Peter Neal (in person)
• Neena Sohal (in person)

Apologies

• Bill Ferris
• Evelyn Stacey

Committee Business

Welcomes and apologies

The Chair welcomed the Committee to the September meeting held via Microsoft Teams, and in person at Brooklands Museum.

Apologies were noted from Bill Ferris and Evelyn Stacey.

Tamalie Newbery, Director & CEO of Brooklands Museum, welcomed the Committee to the museum. She thanked the Committee for previous support, and emphasised the impact it had had. She asked the Committee to consider non-project funding. She appreciated the role played by the Fund across a range of heritage sectors.

Some technical issues meant that those joining via Teams could not hear the meeting until item 11.

Corporate items

Minutes from the last meeting on 15 June 2021 and matters arising

The minutes were agreed as a true record of the meeting.

There were no matters arising.

Declarations of Interest

The following was noted:

• Tamsin Daniel reported a connection with the Redruth Buttermarket: Rediscovering the Market Town project. She agreed to leave the meeting for this item.

Chair’s Report

The Chair reported on the following, which was noted with thanks:

• A recent visit to the Surrey History Centre. A project in collaboration with ‘It’s not your Birthday but….’ indicated the value of letters and of archives for heritage.
• With Claire Madge, the Chair had taken part in a demonstration of the Extranet. He felt that this would be a useful way of keep up-to-date with the Fund.

Corporate Update

Ros Kerslake and Eilish McGuinness presented the corporate update. This was noted, with thanks, along with the pre-circulated Trustee report. These included:

• Recruitment of new Committee members was underway with over 80 applicants. A number of people with interesting experience had come forward.
• Recruitment of the new Chair was underway also, and the appointment had to be cleared by DCMS and the office of the Prime Minister.
• Fund offices were open again.

Area Director’s Report

Stuart McLeod presented the report that included:

• discussions with SS Great Britain Trust about future funding applications (in light of them being unsuccessful with their application to the Heritage Horizons).
• involvement in applications to the Towns Fund, and that the Committee could expect to receive applications for matched-funding.

Area Budget Overview

Michelle Roffe presented the budget paper and provided the Committee with an overview of key details. The Committee noted that the target saving of 20% remained. She outlined the pipeline of applications likely to be presented to the November and March meetings.

The Committee discussed the general process for Grant Increases, and noted that no large Grant Increases were anticipated. There had been an increase in the number of Grant Increases recently as the pandemic had restricted the capacity for organisations to fund-raise. Therefore, grantees had to decide whether to deliver a smaller project, not complete the project or request a Grant Increase.

Applications Overview

Michelle Roffe explained that the application overview was presented as a pilot. The Chair asked for Committee members to send comments to him.

The Committee noted that the impact of the pandemic was considered as part of the assessment, rather than as a separate item. In line with the Mendoza Review, the comments of Arts Council England had been sought, where appropriate. These had not been received at the time of writing the paper, and would be included in the case presentations, where appropriate.

Brand

The video of the presentation had been made available in advance. The Chair welcomed this approach. A member commented that groups should be encouraged to think, at an early stage of the project, how they could deploy the brand to acknowledge the support of National Lottery players. Committee member presentations at events also brought the brand to life.

Communications Update

The presentation had been made available in advance. The Chair welcomed this approach.

Parks for People Grant Increases

Mills to Mawson

Applicant: Dover District Council

Request: £3,365,000 (78%)

Project summary: To carry out extensive improvements to Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens whilst delivering community training and engagement programmes.

Previous grant award: An award of £3,115,000 (84%) was made to Dover District Council in June 2016 and the project was on schedule to complete at the end of October 2021.

The Committee for London and South awarded a grant increase of £250,000 to make a total grant of £3,365,000 (Community Fund 33.33% £83,325: Heritage Fund 66.67% £166,675) and agreed a change in grant percentage from 84% to 78%.

Headstone Park

Applicant: Harrow Council

Request: £1,392,000 (57%)

Project summary: To carry out extensive improvements to Headstone Manor Park whilst delivering community training and engagement programmes.

Previous grant award: An award of £1,126,900 (52%) was made to Harrow Council in July 2018 and the project was on schedule to complete at the end of this year.

The Committee for London and South awarded a grant increase of  £265,100 to make a total grant of £1,392,000 (Community Fund 33.33% £88,278: Heritage Fund 66.67% £176,742) and agreed a change in grant percentage from 52% to 57%.

SF4 Grant Increase

Canadian Pacific

Applicant: Mid Hants Railway Ltd & Mid Hants Railway Preservation Society Ltd

Request: £1,254,400 (53%)

Project summary: To restore a ‘rebuilt’ Southern Railway Merchant Navy class locomotive ‘Canadian Pacific’ and delivering events on the return of the locomotive to service.

Previous grant award: the project was awarded a delivery grant of £895,000 (SF4) in 2015 by the Committee for South East England.

The Committee for London and South awarded a grant increase of £359,400 to make a total grant of £1,254,400 (53%).

SF4 Delivery round application for discussion and decision

Project Newton

Applicant: East Harptree with West Harptree and Hinton Blewett PCC

Request: £294,900 (38%)

Project summary: To carry out repairs and restoration to the Grade II* listed church, improving sustainability and accessibility.

Previous grant award: the Committee for South West England awarded a first round pass of £377,600 including a Development Grant of £82,700 (70% of total eligible development costs) in December 2018.

The Committee for London and South awarded a delivery grant of £294,900 (38%).

SFF Delivery round application for discussion and decision

Saving Devon's Treescapes

Applicant: Devon Wildlife Trust Ltd

Request: £758,500 (29%)

Project summary: To deliver a four-year county-wide project (Oct 2021 – Sept 2025) to address the impact of Ash Dieback disease. The project would be delivered in partnership with Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum (DADRF), with a programme of community engagement as well as the creation of community nurseries to distribute free, alternative native species of trees. Volunteering opportunities would also be offered, with a strong focus on Landscape and Nature.

Previous grant award: the Committee for London & South awarded a first round pass of £857,800 including Development Grant of £99,300 (40% of total eligible development costs) in November 2019.

The Committee for London and South awardeed a delivery grant of £758,500 (29%).

The Next Chapter opening up to a wider range of people and building on change

Applicant: Devon & Exeter Institution Library & Reading Rooms

Request: £814,000 (90%)

Project summary: This project would build upon change in recent years and would secure these developments, ensuring that a wider range of people were able to benefit from the collection, programme and Grade II* listed building. The Next Chapter project would cement the transformation in management, activities and audiences by creating physical space and essential infrastructure for them to flourish and expand.

Previous grant award: the Committee for London & South awarded a first round pass of £1m including a Development Grant of £186,000 (82% of total eligible development costs) in March 2020.

The Committee for London and South awarded a grant of £814,000 (90%).

Curating for Change D/deaf and Disabled People Leading within Museums

Applicant: Screen South

Request: £950,900 (65%)

Project summary: To widen museum audiences across England by exploring unique disability heritage narratives through exhibitions and events, led by D/deaf and disabled curators. The project would facilitate work placements, mentoring, networks and focus groups at museums across England.

Previous grant award: the Committee for London & South awarded a first round pass of £1,065,300 including Development Grant of £116,400 (93% of total eligible development costs) in March 2020.

The Committee for London and South awarded a grant of £950,900 (65%)

The Changing Chalk

Applicant: National Trust, London and South East

Request: £2,234,500 (41%)

Project summary: To deliver a partnership scheme focused on the chalk grassland landscape of the South Downs, and the urban fringe communities of Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Lewes. The project aimed to create opportunities to inspire communities to connect with their landscape.

Previous grant award: the Committee for London & South awarded a first round pass of £2,372,900 including a Development Grant of £138,300 (41% of total eligible development costs) in September 2019.

The Committee for London and South awarded a delivery grant of £2,234,500 (41%).

Past Forward: Salisbury Museum for Future Generations

Applicant: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Trust

Request: £3,220,500 (73%)

Project summary: To restore and develop Salisbury Museum through conservation of the building, creation of new gallery space, redisplay of collections, improvements to access and developing public engagement and volunteering.

Previous grant award: the Committee for London and South awarded a first round pass of £3,650,400 including Development Grant of £429,400 (90% of total eligible development costs) in June 2019.

The Committee for London and South awarded a delivery grant of £3,220.500 (73%).

Prioritisation and feedback on Delivery items

The Committee scored all projects as high, and agreed to fund them all.

SFF Development round application for discussion and decision

Tamsin Daniel left the meeting for the following item:

Redruth Buttermarket: Rediscovering the Market Town

Applicant: Redruth Revival CIC

Request: £54,952 (33%) 

Project summary: To create a cultural and community hub in the centre of Redruth via the Heritage Enterprise grants scheme.

The Committee for London and South awarded a Development Grant of £54,952 (33% of total eligible development costs) and potential delivery grant of £2,500,017 (73%).

The Paddock Community Nature Reserve enhancement

Applicant: London Borough of Haringey

Request: £188,079 (49%)

Project summary: To preserve and celebrate the heritage of The Paddock Nature Reserve via removal of invasive knotweed, landscaping and accessibility works, engagement activity and the construction of a visitor centre.

The Committee for London and South rejected a Development Grant of £188,079 (49%) with potential Delivery grant of £1,453,181 (55%).

Kingswood Park - Our Park at the Heart of Our Community

Applicant: South Gloucestershire Council

Request: £120,037 (80%)

Project summary: To build back Kingswood Park to deliver positive change in an area where green space was limited, and there were few opportunities to connect with nature, heritage and the outdoors.

The Committee for London and South awarded a Development Grant of £120,037 (80%) with potential Delivery Grant of £2,079,485 (79%).

Unlocking Stories at the Roald Dahl Museum

Applicant: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Request: £435,677 (69%)

Project summary: Unlocking Stories was a £5.2m project enabling the museum to be a locally driven, nationally relevant, more sustainable and enriching experience for a wider audience, sharing with them a vision that 'Everyone is a story-maker'.

The Committee for London and South rejected a Development Grant of £435,677 (69%) and Potential Delivery Grant of £2,776,632 (61%).

Opening up the national heritage of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners

Applicant: Royal Chelsea Hospital

Request: £135,726 (50%)

Project summary: The project would integrate the heritage of the Royal Chelsea Hospital with existing expert care methodologies to benefit dementia groups, veterans, lower income and ethnically diverse communities. It would improve access and develop a new visitor centre.

The Committee for London and South awarded a Development Grant of £135,726 (50%) and potential Delivery Grant of £3,179,090 (45%).

Leas Lift: Restoring Folkestone's gem for the community

Applicant: Folkestone Leas Lift

Request: £344,828 (83%)

Project summary: The vision is to restore the Grade II* Leas Lift, a cliff funicular railway in Folkestone. Leas Lift was considered to be of national significance due to its engineering and rarity, one of only eight water balanced lifts in the country, and three that have their original system and at risk.

The Committee for London and South awarded a Development Grant of £344,828 (83%) and potential delivery grant of £3,381,265 (73%).

Abingdon Abbey: Enhancing a threatened heritage community asset

Applicant: Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust

Request: £225,405 (65%)

Project summary: to make the Abbey Buildings, occupied for over 600 years, safe, secure and usable for generations of local people and visitors. Once enhanced, the buildings would be used year-round, expanding and fulfilling their role as a community and cultural hub, and generating the income needed to sustain and maintain them for the future.

The Committee for London and South rejected a Development Grant of £225,405 (65%) and potential Delivery Grant of £3,544,550 (72%).

Sharing Historic Barts: A New Model for Heritage and Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital

Applicant: St Bartholomew's Heritage

Request: £445,731 (90%)

Project summary: This project would transform the use of historic spaces at Barts to create a visible, accessible and active centre for heritage activity. It would prioritise audiences that research shows are less likely to engage with heritage.

The Committee for London and South awarded a Development grant of £445,731 (90%) and potential Delivery Grant of £4,250,000 (52%).

Prioritisation and feedback for Development round items

Applications discussed and final decisions agreed.

Other Items

Any other business

There was no other business.

Appreciations

This was the final meeting for Tamsin Daniel, Bill Ferris and Evelyn Stacey. The Chair led the thanks and appreciation of the retiring Committee members for their work on behalf of the Committee and contribution to the work of the Fund.

The next meeting will be held on 30 November 2021.