Decision details

Arising from a *report of the Head of Communities and Governance, the Community Well-Being Policy Development Group had recommended that:

a)    The grant for the Grand Western Canal be removed from the grants budget and be paid from the New Homes Bonus;

b)    The revised grants for 2016/17 be approved;

c)    The authority put in place procedures to ensure that monitoring of activity and finances of those in receipt of grants takes place in the future; and

d)    The Community Well Being Policy Development Group Grants Working Group be involved in any initial discussions regarding the setting of proposed cuts to future grants.

The Cabinet Member for Community Well-Being outlined the process that had taken place with regard to the recommendation for the allocation of grants and the recommendation that the 2016 contribution towards the Grand Western Canal of £45,000 be funded from the New Homes Bonus and that a meeting take place between this authority and Devon County Council with regard to the level of future funding.

Consideration was given to the funding for the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the lack of feedback received by the Council Departments with regard to issues raised by residents with the CAB.  Information was provided as to the breakdown of the grants paid by North Devon, West Devon, Torridge and Devon County Council to the CAB. The introduction of Service Level Agreements with grant recipients was also suggested

RESOLVED that subject to a further reduction of £5K to the Citizens Advice Bureau grant, the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott)

Notes: 

i)          Cllr C R Slade declared a personal interest as a Member of the Grand Western Canal Joint Advisory Committee;

ii)         *Report previously circulated copy attached to minutes.