Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE POLICY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

To update the Committee on the activities and actions of the Communities Officer, to advise on the current expenditure and balances of the delegated budgets and to consider applications for grant funding.

RESOLVED: That the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Hitchin be endorsed.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

(2)       This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

(3)       The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.

Audio recording – 1 hour 41 seconds.

The Assistant Community Engagement Officer presented the report entitled Grants and Community Update together with the following appendix:

·                Appendix 1 – 2020/21 financial year budget sheet.

The section of this report relating to Appendix 1 was presented earlier in the meeting before the grant applications.

She drew attention to Section 8 of the report which detailed the work of the Community Engagement Team.

She updated the Committee on the status of the Coronavirus Community Support Fund and advised that:

·                The fund had been successful and the team were pleased to support a wide range of organisations in the District.

·                The fund had a budget of approximately £150,000

·                Approximately £73,700 had been utilised so far, with a further £4000 in pending grant applications.

·                Organisations specific to Hitchin which had received funding included Tilehouse Counselling, Phase, Built on Faith Church (food provision) and the Hitchin Food Provision Team.

RESOLVED: That the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Hitchin be endorsed.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

(2)       This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

(3)       The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.