Presentation to be provided by the People Manager on proposals to review the current policy for allocation of community grants.
Minutes:
Mrs. Rahman, People Manager and Councillor Freer-Jones,
Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Access and Engagement
(a) gave
a presentation (a copy of which is attached), setting out the proposals to
review the current policy for allocation of community grants;
(b) asked
Members to consider any areas not identified in the presentation;
(c)
advised that
£44k would be available and asked Members to confirm their areas of priority to
help focus the Review.
Copies of the People
Board Outcomes Framework, which formed part of the presentation, were
circulated to Members.
During discussion
the following points were noted:-
·
There
should be an acknowledgement that the Council also allocates a significant
amount of discretionary business rate relief over and above the Community
Grants allocation. This was not included
in the presentation but would be acknowledged in the final policy.
·
It was
highlighted that though not in receipt of grant monies, Shopmobility
received financial assistance toward utility bills.
·
The
People Manager would provide members with further information regarding any
grants issued outside the Community Grants process.
·
Members
were keen to see recipients of grants being subject to agreed service level
agreements.
·
It was
vital to direct focus onto Parish areas, as well as the Town. Councillor Freer-Jones reassured Members that
grant monies and benefits were available to the whole Borough and all would
have the opportunity to submit bids.
·
Consideration
should be given to subsidising public transport in rural communities.
·
Community
Groups had been consulted as part of the Review (via email). Effective community engagement was crucial in
helping the Council achieve its aims and aspirations for the Borough. Inclusion and engagement was being considered
in detail and Members were supportive of this.
Mrs. Rahman would confirm if Parish Councils were consulted on the
Review outside this meeting.
·
Stakeholder
mapping (who the Council should consult with) was being undertaken as a
separate piece of work and members would be asked to contribute. Members highlighted the importance of
reaching the elderly, young people,
those living alone or in isolated areas and Parish Councils.
·
Members
also highlighted that helping to train and prepare people for work,
facilitating good mental health and less substance misuse was important but
this was not solely the Council’s responsibility.
·
The
grant monies should not be targeted to areas which were subject to statutory
help but consideration could be given regarding how to complement these
services.
·
In order
to make funding more accessible, Members considered making it available every
six months. However, it was agreed that
areas of focus needed to be prioritised to ensure the monies had a significant
impact and were not ‘spread too thinly’ amongst organisations. Councillor Freer-Jones confirmed that she
would advise Cabinet that Members wanted to explore the possibility of setting
aside a smaller funding pot to be available for smaller grants.
·
Local
schools could be encouraged to work with care homes by providing opportunities
for volunteering which would in turn provide students with opportunity of
gaining work experience. This would be
good for both the young and the elderly.
·
The cost
incurred to the Council through its administration of the Community Lottery was
raised and Mrs. Rahman confirmed that she would look into this and confirm the
figure outside this meeting.
A Member commented
that the Review work undertaken was good.
Analysis of the needs in the Borough had been undertaken and the
proposed action would benefit the community.
Councillor
Freer-Jones advised Members that the points they had raised would be taken
forward to Cabinet . She would continue
to work with Mrs. Rahman on the Review, which would be submitted to Cabinet in
October and would work with the Director for Law and Governance on community
engagement.
Scrutiny Committee NOTED the presentation.