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 the Seafarers Sailing Club for the sum of £4,999 to contribute towards a replacement tractor.  The Club currently has a 7-year-old tractor, which they use for the safe launch and recovery of the Club’s boats at every sailing event.  Due to the constant contact with salt water, this tractor is becoming unreliable and is no longer fit for purpose.

Seafarers Sailing Club is a not-for-profit organisation that operates from its Clubhouse in Hill Head.  Its objectives are to encourage the sport of sailing and improve seamanship.  The Club currently has 140 members, many of whom have memberships that entitle their family members to use the facility.  In addition, for the past 5 years, the Club has provided sailing experiences for young people as part of the Council’s Access All Areas scheme.  In 2018, the numbers of young people participating in this free activity was in advance of 50. 

The Club plans, in 2019, to hold a ‘Push the Boat Out Event’ at which non-club members of all ages are encouraged to try sailing, following which a sailing course will be run for anyone wishing to develop their interest.  The Club is also expanding its offer, to give children as young as 5 years old suitable sailing experiences.  With this in mind, the Club has recently invested in 3 small dinghies. 

The Club provides safety boat support during the annual kite surfing weekend regatta, and last year offered 12 local Air Cadets an evening of sailing.

The cost of a replacement tractor has been identified at £9,000 plus delivery costs.  The Club has a Tractor replacement fund that had £9,120 budgeted for 18/19.  However, the Club has had some unexpected expenses such as the replacement of the external security shutters which has been costed at £5,000.  The Club plans to relocate funds from the tractor fund to cover this cost.

The Club last benefitted from Community Funding in 2015, when it was awarded £4,999 in contribution towards 2 replacement dinghies.   

Both Ward Councillors, Councillors Mandry and Dugan, are strongly supportive of the application.

A condition of the funding will also be for the club to have the Fareham Borough Council logo displayed on the tractor.

That the application for £4,999 from Fareham Borough Council’s Community Fund submitted by Seafarers Sailing Club to contribute to the purchase of a replacement tractor be approved.