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 Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Southern Rural Area 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 – 14 Minutes 40 Seconds

The Community Engagement Team Leader presented the report entitled Grants and Community Update and advised the following:

·                Owing to the change of date for that meeting, as a result of the Parliamentary Election, it was felt that the delay in the provision of funding to the Codicote Pre-School for £750 would detrimentally affect the project. The grant was therefore decided under delegated decision by the Service Director – Legal and Community;

·                There was £10,982 left for allocation at the last meeting of the financial year in March;

·                The deadline for receiving grant applications was 31 January 2020 and;

·                Anyone wishing to apply for a grant could do so by emailing the Community Engagement Team Leader directly or contacting the Community Engagement Team.

The following Members asked questions:

·                Councillor David Barnard

The Community Engagement Team Leader provided the following responses to questions raised:

·                The ability for Parish Councils to apply for grant funding would be discussed later in that meeting under agenda item Community Grants Policy Review.

RESOLVED: That the actions taken by the Community Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for the Southern Rural Area 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.