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 Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Baldock be endorsed.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)       To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Officer;

(2)       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 – 2 hours 11 minutes 59 seconds

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

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

He drew attention to the following:

·                Paragraph 7.3 detailed the budgets available;

·                The deadline for submitting grants application for consideration at the December meeting was 26 October 2020;

·                Paragraph 8.21 detailed that Covid-19 was still affecting events

·                Baldock Fayre took place with one ride, which was required to ensure the future of the charter;

·                Baldock Community Centre and the Methodist Centre were successful with their applications to the Community Facilities and District Wide Grants Panel;

·                He had been requested to investigate further tree planting. Due to lack of space, cabling etc, this was not possible.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

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

(2)       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.