Issue - meetings

Public Protection & Community Engagement Portfolio

To consider report HCS/24 of the Head of Community Services, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 1 February 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet approves:

a)    the funding intentions and associated outcomes for the future programme as outlined in section 5 of report HCS/24.

b)    the process for allocating funding as outlined in section 5 of report HCS/24.

c)    the process for approving grant allocations and appeals process in 2021/22 and 2022/23 as outlined in section 5 of report HCS/24.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The proposed transfer will reduce the budget gap in the General Fund as laid out in the Budget Strategy. The recommendations support the Council to achieve a balanced budget position for 2021/22 onwards whilst retaining sufficient revenue funds to deliver a high quality outcome focused commissioning and small grants programme that can better respond to our community’s needs.

They also take into account the needs of the organisations that we currently fund and allow us to support them through a transition period, as appropriate to their individual circumstance.

The Leader presented report HCS/24 of the Head of Community Services.  The report sought to consider the options for the future community grants process. The Cabinet was informed that it was proposed to reduce the grants budget, current set at of £632,000, by one third for the 2021/22, because of the impact on that Covid pandemic has had on the Council’s revenue budget. It was explained that the new funding proposal would be based on a commissioning approach, where the Council commissions organisations to provide clear indefinable outcomes for our community. There would also be a £50k pot for smaller grants using a match funding formula.

The Leader commented whilst it was an unfortunate situation that the Council was having to reduce the funding, the Council was still twice as generous as any other similar type of Council in the country. The Council also provides significant property and rental support to a number of charities and third sector organisations, further to the grant funding. 

Councillor T Belben presented the O­verview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report as detailed in report OSC/293, to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 1 February 2021, which included:

·         Recognition of the many groups and organisations within the town. It was questioned if all were aware of other funding opportunities.  The liaison work with organisations and signposting arrangements would be maintained.

·         It was felt it would be beneficial for the new commissioning model to come before the Commission.

·         Acknowledgement that in terms of the review process the Grants Appeal Panel was still in existence and it was felt this was the correct approach.

·         Recognition that re-designing the service towards a proposed commissioning approach still enabled the service to deliver in an effective and efficient manner whilst maintaining the connections to the community.

A recorded vote was taken on the recommendations, in accordance with the Council’s Virtual Committee Procedure Rules. The names of the Councillors voting for and against the recommendations, along with any abstentions, are recorded as set out below:

For the recommendations:

Councillors Irvine, Jhans, Lamb, Mullins and P Smith. (5)

Against the recommendations:

None.

Abstentions:

None.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet agrees:

a)         the funding intentions and associated outcomes for the future programme as outlined in section 5 of report HCS/24.

b)         the process for allocating funding as outlined in section 5 of report HCS/24.

c)         the process for approving grant allocations and appeals process in 2021/22 and 2022/23 as outlined in section 5 of report HCS/24.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The proposed transfer will reduce the budget gap in the General Fund as laid out in the Budget Strategy. The recommendations support the Council to achieve a balanced budget position for 2021/22 onwards whilst retaining sufficient revenue funds to deliver a high quality outcome focused commissioning and small grants programme that can better respond to our community’s needs.

They also take into account the needs of the organisations that we currently fund  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12

To consider report HCS/24 of the Head of Community Services.

The Commission considered report HCS/24 of the Head of Community Services.  The report sought to consider the options for the future Community Grants process.

During the discussion with the Leader of the Council and the Head of Community Services, Councillors made the following comments:

·       Recognition of the many groups and organisations within the town. It was questioned if all were aware of other funding opportunities.  The liaison work with organisations and signposting arrangements would be maintained.

·       It was felt it would be beneficial for the new commissioning model to come before OSC.

·       Acknowledgement that in terms of the review process the Grants Appeal Panel was still in existence and it was felt this was the correct approach.

·       Recognition that re-designing the service towards a proposed commissioning approach still enabled the service to deliver in an effective and efficient manner whilst maintaining the connections to the community.

RESOLVED

That the Commission notes the report and requests that the views expressed during the debate, are fed back to the Cabinet through the Commission’s Comment sheet.