Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE POLICY AND 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 greater community 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 36 Minutes

The Assistant Community Engagement Officer presented the Grants and Community Update report and advised the following:

·                On 6 February 2020, a Westmill Network meeting took place with other agencies in order to facilitate a joint approach to combatting Anti-Social Behaviour around Westmill;

·                Herts Sports Partnership were offering free football sessions every Thursday starting on 19 March 2020 at Westmill Community Centre from 7pm – 8pm;

·                ‘Waste not want less’ event would be taking place on Saturday 4 April 2020 from 10am – 4pm at Hitchin Town Hall;

·                There was a good response to the ‘Have your say’ events that took place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 March 2020. Members of the public were asked questions around their hope and aspirations for the town, the Hitchin Market, transport and green spaces; and

·                The Hitchin BID Manger would be putting forward a grant application for Hitchin Pride.

RESOLVED: That the actions taken by the Community Engagement officer to promote greater community 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.