May 26, 2021 4.58 pm
This story is over 14 months old
Grantham Conservative association received £10k COVID bailout money, FOI reveals
Money later returned, leaders said
Independent SKDC Councillor Ashley Baxter (right) said he put in the FOI to find out "straight answers". Grantham and Stamford Association Chairman Martin Trollope-Bellew said the money was used to support businesses.
Grantham and Stamford’s Conservative Association received a £10,000 COVID-19 grant during lockdown last year, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.
South Kesteven District Council Independent Councillor Ashley Baxter said he submitted the FOI after struggling to “get a straight answer” around the allocation of the Small Business Grant Fund.
The association said the money was used to support small businesses renting office space in its Bourne-based headquarters and was returned once further funding was made available.
The response to the FOI showed that the association applied to InvestSK Ltd, which managed the scheme on behalf of SKDC, on April 22, 2020, and was paid £10,000 the next day.
The money was returned on November 10, 2020.
Councillor Ashley Baxter, South Kesteven member for Market and West Deeping ward.
Councillor Baxter said: “I am delighted that my Freedom of Information has established the facts about the local Conservative Party application for a COVID grants.”
He said he had tried to ask council bosses about the details of the application but had been “met with obfuscation and excuses”.
“The issue concerns the allocation of public money administered by SKDC and given all the highfalutin talk of ‘openness’ and ‘transparency’, it is a shame that I have yet again had to resort to a Freedom of Information request to unearth the facts”.
He acknowledged the application had been within the rules, but said he was “pleased” the money had been returned.
Martin Trollope-Bellew, Chairman of the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association, said: “The association was eligible for the small business grant and was accepted on the basis of supporting the small businesses which rent office space within our building, as they weren’t initially eligible for any financial support.
“However, the discretionary grant was then introduced which enabled the businesses based within our building to access funds to support them through this difficult time. The small business grant was then repaid in full.”
Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association Chairman Martin Trollope-Bellew.
While the Conservative party said the associations were “no different from other organisations in facing challenging times,” campaign group Excluded UK said it was “very unjust” as businesses elsewhere faced closure.
An SKDC spokesperson said: “For eligible businesses on the business rates register there were no restrictions on the type of organisations that could claim the grants or on what these grants were spent on.
“All those grants paid out were in line with the government guidance.
“As part of the grant acceptance process all applicants were given the opportunity to return the grant should they wish to.”
Conservative Council leader Kelham Cooke was approached for comment but referred the media to the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association.
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A seven-year-old girl from Immingham has raised more than £2,500 to help rebuild her local park after it was severely damaged in an arson attack earlier this year.
Elysia Shakespeare was really upset by the irreparable damage caused to the main climbing frame at Pilgrim Park, which was set ablaze by youngsters in an arson attack in April.
The park is one of Elysia’s favourite places to play and after the shocking attack she decided to try to help.
She organised a sponsored walk across the Humber Bridge and enlisted support from local post office staff to raise the sum, which has now been presented to the council.
The blazing fire at Pilgrim Park in April this year which destroyed the main climbing frame. | Screenshot: BBC Look North/BBC News hub
Lee Shakespeare, Elysia’s step-dad, speaking to Look North. | Screenshot: BBC Look North/BBC News Hub
Lee Shakespeare, Elysia’s step-dad, told BBC Look North that the council plan to replace some of the smaller apparatus first.
He said: “I’ve asked Elysia to jump online and come up with some drawings of ideas for what she actually wants to replace the old climbing frame area with.”
Elysia has suggested that she wants a “big” climbing frame, to start with.
Pilgrim park holds a special place in children’s hearts in Immingham, and it is hoped, with Elysia’s money, and other grants, the council will be able to make improvements for her, her friends and for subsequent generations.
A Lincoln care home resident had a day she’ll never forget after celebrating her 106th birthday by being served lunch by a butler in the buff.
Norah Shaw received close to 200 birthday cards after an appeal from Tennyson Wharf Care Home in Burton Waters.
As well as being served lunch by a buff butler provided by Butlers in the Buff, Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer Eleanor Mattley, as well as cake and wine.
Norah enjoyed chatting to her buff butler Ed. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
The care home said: “Well, what an absolutely fantastic day for a truly special lady.
“We would just like to say a huge thank you to every single person who sent Norah birthday cards and presents. We are all so touched by the heartwarming kindness that has been shown. It really has been astonishing.
Norah even got a card from The Queen. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“Norah was blown away with the generosity and kindness so thank you to each and and every single person for being so amazing. It was so lovely to all be a part of seeing Norah enjoy them all.
“As you can see, Norah thoroughly enjoyed her butler in the buff surprise. The amazing kitchen supplied a wonderful afternoon tea which Ed, the butler served to Norah. What an experience that was for everyone involved.
Norah celebrating a birthday she will never forget! | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Staff enjoyed celebrating Norah’s birthday with her. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
Norah also enjoyed a performance from her favourite singer – Eleanor Mattley. | Photo: Zoe Sheridon and Christine Harding
“We finished the day with a special performance from Norah’s all time favourite singer Eleanor Mattley Productions – Care Home Entertainment with prosecco and cake. The atmosphere was amazing as staff and residents joined together in song and dance for a truly magnificent afternoon.”
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