Issue - meetings

To advise the Members on the current expenditure and balances of the Committee Grant budgets.

To bring to the Members’ attention to recent requests received for Committee grant funding, made by community groups and local organisations, including

·         Garden City Samba

·         Khalsa Youth Football Academy

·         Letchworth Garden City Bowls Club

·         Made in Clay CIC

To advise of the activities and schemes with which the Community Engagement officers have been involved in.

To bring to Members’ attention some important community-based activities that will take place during the next few months.

RESOLVED: That the Committee be recommended to endorse the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Letchworth.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)  To ensure the Members are kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

(2)  This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of budgets. 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 – 59 minutes 49 seconds

The Community Engagement Team Leader presented the report entitled ‘Grants and Community Update’ and noted the following:

·         It was interesting to hear that the Heritage Foundation have outstanding grant funds available. She would liaise with relevant parties at the Heritage Foundation to see what support the Council can offer.

·         Following the grant funds allocated at this meeting, there was £956 to carry over for 2022/23.

·         £2,000 had previously been allocated to the Wilbury and Icknield School Parents Association (WISPA) and it was still hoped that the project will progress once permission has been granted from District and County Councils. It was proposed that this money be incorporated back into the base budget.

Councillor Terry Hone commented that many people do not realise that the Heritage Foundation has a grant scheme, as it is a very unique organisation.

Councillor Daniel Allen proposed that the money is rolled over to next year for use by WISPA.

The Community Engagement Team Leader advised that was possible and would not require a vote. A representative of WISPA could be invited to a future Committee meeting to update on progress of the project.

The Community Engagement Team Leader reminded Members that the next Councillors Surgery would be on 19 March, outside Costa Coffee in town.

Councillor Terry Hone proposed and Councillor Morgan Derbyshire seconded and, following a vote, it was:  

RESOLVED: That the Committee be recommended to endorse the actions taken by the Community Engagement team to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Letchworth.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

(1)  To ensure the Members are kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Team.

(2)  This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of budgets. 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.