Agenda item

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support submitted a report reviewing grant allocations for the period 1 October 2013 to 31 March 2014.  The Engagements and Partnerships Officer provided a summary of the key areas of grant funding. 

In response to a query from Councillor K Warnell regarding various pots of funding and who determined each area of funding, the Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services explained the process in terms of reviewing the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and challenging service budgets based on affordability.  He added that some grants increased incrementally each year or had unused funds ‘rolled over’ into the following year resulting in the pots being odd amounts and not rounded figures. 

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Service suggested that it might be helpful if the Officer sent Councillor Warnell the Grant Assessment Criteria.  She stated that all grants required endorsement by the local Councillor which helped keep the Member informed of what was going on locally and ensured that the organisation seeking the grant was not one which might bring the Council into disrepute.

In response to a query from Councillor J Mayes concerning a Parish Council Grant, the Officer confirmed that it was for a community engagement event in the Chipping and Buckland area.

Councillor J Jones expressed concern about the criteria which needed to be met by very small community groups in terms of bank accounts and having a constitution.  The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services acknowledged the Member’s concerns but as  grants were public money, there was a need to ensure that appropriate checks and balances were in place.  He stated that there were organisations which were very good at supporting people in the grant application process including this Council, Hertfordshire County Council and the Community Voluntary Service. 

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services said that the option was always available for Members to revisit the criteria if they thought it was necessary.  Councillor J Mayes stated that she would be “unhappy” to reduce the leniency in terms of the assessment criteria.

Councillor P Moore referred to the help Officers provided to an art group which she had helped set up in relation to setting up a bank account and establishing a constitution.

Councillor M Wood referred to the New Homes Bonus paid to Town Councils and asked whether this had made a difference to the funding available for community groups.  The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services said that he had not had any information from any of the Town Clerks since his advice  to them some months ago to outline how they planned to use their New Homes Bonus.  Councillor K Warnell commented that the New Homes Bonus had provided Bishop’s Stortford Town Council with funding for the development of two Neighbourhood Plans.

Councillor M Wood stated that it was important for Members to receive a mid-year report on grants as well as the Annual Review.  The Scrutiny Officer explained that if the report was just for information, then this could be provided via the Members’ Information Bulletin.  This was supported.  Officers explained that detailed information on grants was already available on the Council’s website.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the progress made in allocating grants in accordance with agreed policies be noted;

(B)       the Annual Review coincide with the grant giving cycle; and

(C)   a six monthly update report be provided and included in the Members’ Information Bulletin and that this be specifically drawn to the attention of Members of Community Scrutiny Committee.