Issue - decisions

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet recommend Council approve:

a) Community Grant awards, totalling £130,000 in revenue grants and £96,040 in capital grants, as set out in Appendix 1, and in more detail in Appendix 2, be approved for inclusion in the Medium-Term Financial Plan and proposed budget for 2024/25.

b) The proposed recommendations as set out in section 4.2

c) The Community Transport grants totalling £51,100, as set out in section 5.5 along with the recommendation to respond to the HCC consultation, as detailed in 5.7.

KEY DECISION:

No

PORTFOLIO:

Community, Safety and Wellbeing.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Community, Safety and Wellbeing introduced the report on Community Grants 2024/25. The report detailed the annual Community Grants process and the proposed grant allocations, as set out in the report.

The Service Manager, Revenue, Benefits and Customer Services explained that this was an annual process and that the Task and Finish Group had considered and assessed 43 applicants. £617,000 had been applied for in total in revenue grant applications. The Housing and Communities Panel had supported the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group. Support would continue for the three Community Transport Schemes as well, with a response to HCC being sent shortly offering the Council’s support for the continuation of the schemes beyond 31 March 2025.

Although a prudent approach was encouraged for all Council expenditure, the Leader was pleased that the Council was able to award grants local organisations and community groups that support our residents. Both Executive and Non-Executive members offered their thanks for all of the hard work and time that Officers and Task and Finish Group members had put into the process. Members expressed that it was pleasing to see smaller, community projects being supported for another year.