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.

The Royston and District Committee was cancelled owing to the Covid-19 situation. Therefore, where required, decisions were made under delegated authority following consultation with Members of the Committee

Members were consulted on Recommendation 2.3, ‘that the Committee agrees that any unspent funds from the 2019/20 financial year be allocated to Community & Environmental Projects for the 2020/21 period.’ However,  the carry forward of budgets was not in the remit of the Committee or the Executive Member - Community Engagement. Therefore, the result of the consultation will be sent to the Service Director – Resources in order to inform his decision regarding carry forward of budgets at a later date.

RECORD OF DECISION MADE UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY

(as a result of the Royston and District Committee on 1 April 2020 being cancelled

due to Covid-19 situation)

SERVICE DIRECTORATE: Legal and Community

4.       REASON FOR DECISION

The Royston and District Committee on 1 April 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid-19 situation.

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.

5.       CONSULTATION WITH COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Consultation including the effect on stakeholders, partners and the public is contained within the report published with the Royston and District Committee agenda for meeting on 1 April 2020.

Given the current Covid-19 situation and government advice regarding gatherings, the meeting of the Royston and District Committee was not possible.  Therefore, the Committee Members were requested to provide an indication as to how they would have voted and any comments as to guide the decision maker.

By the prescribed deadline 5 votes were cast in favour of the recommendation.

The following Members of the Royston and District Committee voted:

·                Councillor Carol Stanier;

·                Councillor Ruth Brown;

·                Councillor Tony Hunter;

·                Councillor Jean Green; and

·                Councillor Gerald Morris.

The following Members offered Comments, as summarised below:

Councillor Carol Stanier thought that it was a large amount of money to be given and was unsure how many people would benefit from it.

6.       SUPPORTING REPORT

Other information relevant to the decision, such as legal, financial, risk, social value and equality implications, is contained within the report published as Item 8 within the Royston and District agenda for the meeting on 1 April 2020 via link below:

https://democracy.north-herts.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=152&MId=2254

NOTIFICATION DATE

3.4.2020

Signature of Executive Member Decision taker

Date ………2.4.2020…………………………..

Signature of Service Director: Legal and Community  ...  view the full decision text for item 1.