Issue - meetings

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet.

Members considered the report as outlined within the agenda pack.

Members queried if the amount available, was the same as previous years or had decreased? Officers confirmed that the amount available was the same as the previous year. The authority are committed to increasing funding by the proposed increase in revenue grant for the following year. There was a 0% increase forecast in RSG, therefore there was the same amount of funding available. Last year the funding was under allocated, however officer confirmed that the full amount has been reinstated this year.

Member referred to the application forms, and the perceived change in criteria which suggests an exclusion to apply for ‘core funding.’ Members advised that discussion in the voluntary sector liaison committee indicated that the grant was looking to fund core activities that were unable to be funded from other areas.

There are currently six organisations that are currently committed to core funding, to the sum of £350,000 for next year as part of the three year agreement. Officers confirmed that there is a proposal in the grant arrangements to cap at £25,000 to enable the funding to be distributed to more organisations. The criteria have been tidied up to ensure that projects are supported which support identified priority areas.

Members asked that the comments of the committee be noted in regards to ensuring that the funding is also available for core costs as well as project costs and that this is conveyed to Cabinet before any decision it taken.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet.