Decision details

This report presents an application for funding under the Council’s Community Fund Programme.

An application for community funding has been received from New Horizons Band from Sarisbury Green, for the sum of £677 to fund a new public address system, cables and stands.

New Horizons Band is a local community band which is based at Sarisbury Community Centre.  The band enables people who have an interest in music to meet like-minded individuals, gain greater experience and receive peer-lead tuition of various musical instruments, in addition to raising funds for local charities by playing concerts. 

The band meets twice a week, in addition to performing frequently for a charitable donation to Sarisbury Community Association or other local good causes.  They welcome anyone who shares these interests into the group. 

In recent times, the band has played concerts for such events as the Daedalus Airport Christmas Carol Event, a Downs Syndrome Charity Event, Heathfield Special School Christmas Fayre and St Johns Locks Heath Church Charity evening.

The band is requesting funding to replace their public address system, cables and stands as their current equipment is old and unreliable. 

There are currently 18 members of the New Horizons Band, many of who are retired and from the Sarisbury area.  The band is financially arranged as to only request ‘subs’ to cover the hire of the hall from its members, and as such does not hold any reserves.  The current balance of their account is £34.

The Band has approached the local Lions and the Round Table for financial support for the equipment, but as yet has been unsuccessful.

Both Ward Councillors, Councillor Woodward and Councillor Butts, are strongly supportive of this application.

  I.        That the application for £677 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Fund, submitted by New Horizons Band, for the purchase of a replacement public address system, cables and stands, be approved.

II.         That this award is granted under the condition that the equipment is available to be borrowed by other community bands in the Borough when not in use by New Horizons Band.