Decision details

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

She thanked Councillor D J Stevenson and all the Members of the Grants Review Working Party for all their hard work over the years. She advised Members that the approved budget for the year would be £12,300 and that it was now proposed to increase the maximum amount per grant to £500 however all grant requests needed to demonstrate 50% match funding. She informed Members that former grant recipients had fed back that the process needed to be faster and therefore it was recommended to delegate authority to ensure grants were awarded sooner.

Councillor R Blunt asked if the Members of the Working Party were comfortable with the recommendations.

Councillor A V Smith stated that the proposals had been on the cards for some time and that it was regretful, but it would offer the community a better service.

Councillor R Blunt expressed that the match funding was a good idea and that he hoped that it worked.

It was moved by Councillor A V Smith, seconded by Councillor T J Pendleton and

RESOLVED THAT:

Cabinet:

1)    Implements the new Small Community Grants Scheme;

2)    Concludes the Grants Review Working Party; and

3)    Delegates authority to the Director of Services in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder to award small community grants

Reason for decision: To ensure an effective and efficient small grant fund for community bodies following application.