Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE POLICY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

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

To bring to the Committee’s attention details of recent requests received for Area Committee Grant Funding, made by community groups and local organisations, which conform to the Authority’s Grants Policy approved by Cabinet on June 14th 2016.

RESOLVED: That the actions taken by the Community Engagement officer to promote greatercommunity 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 June 2016;

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

Audio Recording - 1 Hour 39 Minutes 29 Seconds

Assistant Community Engagement Officer presented the report entitled Grants and Community Update and the Committee was advised as follows:

·                Thus far, Hitchin Committee had provided £8,376 grant funding to organisations;

·                There was £1,082 remaining for the next Hitchin Committee scheduled for March 2020;

·                The Assistant Community Engagement Officer had discussed Charnwood House with the Interim Property Consultant and an update was provided; and

·                In relation to the Resolutions in Minute 42  - item (5) of the Hitchin Committee Minutes of 1 October 2019, there was currently no Wishlist put together. Members were requested to send suggestions for the wish list to the Assistant Community Engagement Officer’s inbox.

The following Members made comment:

Councillor Richard Thake; and

Councillor Paul Clark.

RESOLVED: That the actions taken by the Community Engagement officer to promote greatercommunity 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 June 2016;

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