Issue - meetings

UPDATE FROM THE ASSISTANT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

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

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

·         Back2Schoolival CIC

·         Hitchin Fun Club

·         PoetsIN

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

To bring to the 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 Hitchin.

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.

The Assistant Community Engagement Officer provided Members with an update of the funds remaining, following the grant decisions at this meeting, and regarding the work being carried out by the Community Engagement Team, including:

·         Two projects funded through grant funds from this Committee had been signed off as complete. These were Radavassa Kitchen and the Peace Garden Unity sculpture.

·         The next Ukrainian refugee day will be more focussed than previously, with invites offered to support organisations, such as Citizens Advice.

·         There was ongoing liaison work with local schools to see what could be offered for the Youth Democracy week.

The following Members asked questions:

·         Councillor Richard Thake

·         Councillor James Denselow

In response to questions the Assistant Community Engagement Officer advised:

·         He could provide Members with an update to the grant funds available prior to the applicants making their presentations at future meetings.

·         It was possible that Members may have to decide between applicants at a meeting, where funds were not available to support all requests.

Councillor Keith Hoskins requested that it be made easier for community groups to put events on, at both County and District level. Some events over the Jubilee weekend could not happen due to the level of paperwork required.

Councillor Ian Albert advised this could be explored and the process simplified where possible, whilst also recognising the need for Council Officers to attain relevant information.

The Chair moved to a vote and 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 Hitchin.

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.