Decision details

A) Agree the process for funding City Council services and external bodies to deliver outcomes that contribute to the City Council’s Anti-Poverty Strategy.

B) Agree to carry out a review of the process for allocating all City Council grants to external bodies.

Matter for Decision

A dedicated Sharing Prosperity Fund (SPF) was created in 2014 to support pilot projects which contribute to the objectives of the Anti-Poverty Strategy (APS). The current SPF process has provided a mechanism to enable the Council to allocate significant resources to anti-poverty initiatives over the past four years.

The Officer’s report proposed changes to the process for allocating funding to anti-poverty projects. The changes aimed to ensure that: projects continue to deliver value for money; the process is transparent and accountable; and there is clarity for officers and voluntary and community sector organisations regarding opportunities to bid for funding.

The Council currently awarded almost £2 million annually in grants to voluntary and community sector organisations through 9 different grant funds, including the SPF. It was proposed that over the next 12 months officers will conduct a wider review of grants processes. This would explore the potential for a single corporate grants ‘gateway’ for all grant funds and the potential for multi-year funding agreements for some VCS organisations to help support the future sustainability of the sector.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

       i.          Approved the proposed changes to the process for allocating funding to anti-poverty projects set out at 4.1 to 4.3 in this report.

     ii.          Asked officers to conduct a wider review of Council grants processes, with a particular focus on the proposals set out at 5.3 in the Officer’s report, and report back to this Scrutiny Committee with recommendations in due course.

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 Strategy and Partnerships Manager.

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

       i.          The Council currently awarded grants to voluntary and community sector organisations from a number of different grant funds. These were administered by different officers. The funds were listed on P175 of the Officer’s report.

     ii.          Undertook to send details of funds (and their work) to councillors post meeting. This would include work to date and risk assessment information.

The Executive Councillor signposted financial implications set out in the Revenue and Capital Outturn, Carry Forwards and Significant Variances report going to July Council, plus the Mid-Term Financial strategy going to October Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

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

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.