Agenda item

DECISION

1.    That the proposed Councillor Grants Scheme, to be delivered as part of the Empowering Healthy Communities Programme, be approved.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director, Housing and Wellbeing (in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Communities) to arrange for implementation and delivery of the scheme from 1^st July 2021.

3.    That a progress report be provided to Cabinet in six months’ time (December 2021) to show impact and outcomes achieved through the grants scheme.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

MG/MH

REASON FOR DECISION

The Portfolio Holder for Housing presented a report regarding the delivery of a Councillor Grants Scheme, as part of the Empowering Healthy Communities (Community Champions) Programme, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Funding of £1000 would be available to each Ward Member and £1000 would be available to each Parish Council.  The scheme would be open to receive applications from eligible groups between 1 July 2021 and 31 January 2022.

The scheme provided a positive opportunity for Councillors to invest in and support their local communities and aligned with the Corporate Strategy with respect to Priority 1: People and Priority 2: Future Prosperity, Regeneration and Inclusive Growth.

The funding allocation could be spent to support local community groups upon application, provided spend was in line with the Community Champions Fund grant conditions.

The grant conditions formed the criteria within the proposed Councillor Grants Scheme policy.   A Councillor Grants Scheme and associated policy, guidance and application documents had been developed.  The policy and scheme guidance clearly set out the criteria and process for applicants and Members. Guidance and support would be provided by the Empowering Healthy Communities Programme Coordinator to Members to help validate applications and ensure that funded projects were within the parameters of the grant conditions. The policy, information guide and associated documents appeared within the Appendices with the report.

Should the scheme be approved, it would be launched on 1 July and would be open for applications until 31 January 2022.   A communications plan would be developed and the scheme would be launched to raise awareness.  In addition, Members and Parish Councils would be invited to attend a briefing ahead of the scheme launch.

The Portfolio Holder commended the hard work of officers in successfully securing the funding within short timescales and welcomed the onus placed on Members by the scheme. 

It was noted that, although informal groups were ineligible to apply for funding from the scheme, an eligible group could act as an accountable body for an informal group wishing to undertake projects with community benefit.  Crucially, grants would be paid just two weeks after approval.  Members would liaise with groups in order to ensure scheme deadlines were met. 

Members commended the scheme, which would empower communities, support hard-working volunteers and enhance Ward Members’ engagement within their communities. 

The Portfolio Holder agreed that Members should promote the scheme.  It would also be publicised through the usual media channels.  A Member asked that Parish Councils be reminded about the scheme and its criteria and timescales on a regular basis due to their infrequent meetings.

The Chief Executive described the scheme as an excellent opportunity for Members to become involved with the community groups in their ward and pointed out that many voluntary groups were active in raising funding themselves and that match funding would maximise the benefits of the scheme.  The Portfolio Holder added that it was not a requirement for groups to have match funding, though Members could request it.

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

Not to deliver a Councillor Grants Scheme: this option is not recommended. Funding has been received to enable delivery of the scheme, which presents a positive opportunity for Councillors to invest in and support local groups in their communities.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.