Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

This was the annual report for the Community Grants fund for voluntary, community, and not for profit organisations. It provided an overview of the process, eligibility criteria and budget.

The report also provided an update on the work of the Grants Team carried out to date in 2023-24.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

Approved the Community Grants to voluntary and community organisations for 2024-25, as set out in Appendix 1 and 2 of the Officer’s report, subject to the budget approval in February 2024 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 Voluntary Sector Manager.

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

      i.          Agenda P42: Funding for United with Ukraine Community Grants Scheme had been doubled by Central Government, not the City Council.

     ii.          The approach introduced in 2022 would continue in future where a simpler application process was offered when lower level funding amounts were sought. As Area Committees had paused, a blended approach could be offered to communities of interest, geography and identity so they could navigate a simpler process but potentially with a slightly higher funding ceiling to align more with the Area Committee grants. More than one funding window in a year could be considered. Proposals would be set out in June 2024.

   iii.          Where groups are awarded funding that is £20,000 or more, they submit six monthly monitoring reports to demonstrate funding was being well spent. Applicants where the award has a value less than £20,000 submit annual reports. Officers were working on some guidelines to help applicants produce good quality monitoring information.

   iv.          Feedback was sought on the application process from small groups. The Community Funding and Voluntary Sector Manager was reviewing responses currently. For the 2024-25 round a question was included on the area committee grant form as well as the small group grant form. Feedback could also be sought through partners such as CCVS.

    v.          The small events budget was in place before 2020. Spending was paused in lockdown as no events were held, and then resumed. It originally focussed on volunteering events but now covers a wider range of activities.

   vi.          Would consider in future if it would be practicable to provide Ward Councillors with details on why grants were recommended for a nil award. A report would not be brought back to Environment and Community Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee unanimously resolved 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.