Decision details

1. Approve the awards for 2017-18 Community Grants.
2. Note the Volunteer for Cambridge Programme 2017.
3. Note the work programme for outcomes monitoring and 2018-19 Community Grants.

Matter for Decision

This was the third year of the Community Grants fund for voluntary and community not-for-profit organisations. The Officer’s report provided a brief overview of the eligibility criteria, support provided and process undertaken. Applications received were detailed in Appendix 1, alongside recommendations for awards.

The report also provided updates on:

·       The budget available for Area Committee Community Grants 2017-18.

·       Community Grants 2018-19.

·       The programme of activities for Volunteer for Cambridge 2017.

·       The Living Wage.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

Approved the Community Grants to voluntary and community organisations for 2017-18, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report, subject to the budget approval in February 2017 and any further satisfactory information required of applicant organisations.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Community Funding and Development Manager.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.          The City Council funded more voluntary organisations than neighbouring councils.

     ii.          Asked for their thanks for Officer’s hard work to be put on record.

The Community Funding and Development Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

       i.          There were considerable financial pressures on the voluntary sector at present. In order to keep groups viable, Officers did not recommend imposing criteria that organisations must pay the living wage in order to receive grant funding.

     ii.          The report detailed the high number of organisations that did pay the living wage, and others indicated they aimed to do so in future.

The Committee resolved by 7 votes to 0 to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.