Issue - meetings

To receive a report of the Grants Working Group and make recommendations to Cabinet on the Grant funding programme for 2021-2022

The Group had before it a *report from the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration presenting the Strategic Grants Programme Evaluation and Review.

The Economic Development Team Leader outlined the contents of the report and explained that the Working Group had met 3 times to discuss the budget. The pandemic had severely impacted the Council’s partners who had shown great resilience and had all played an important part in assisting and supporting vulnerable residents.

The officer explained that the Working Group had recognised the important work that the partners did and the financial difficulties the Council was facing.

Consideration was given to:

·         The Working Group did not wish to cut the grants to the existing partners

·         The £9650 saving from the Age UK Mid Devon grant should be offered as a saving to protect the grants for the other partners

·         The additional external funding that was now available to the Council’s partners

·         Regular meetings with the partners were held which highlighted and signposted partners to additional sources of income that they may be entitled to

It was therefore RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

1)    A one year grant award be made for 2021-2022, with a review in the autumn of 2021;

2)    Grants to be made on a 1 year settlement basis, to be reviewed annually each autumn;

3)    The £9,650 previously offered to Age UK Mid Devon be identified as a saving;

4)    The grant payments for 2021–2022 to the Council’s other strategic partners should remain at the same levels as 2020-2021.

5)    The levels recommended were:

6)    If the Cabinet were minded to reduce the grant payment awards in 2021-2022 the Community PDG recommended that the organisations which directly supported vulnerable residents should have their grant payments protected, namely:

·         Churches Housing Action Team (CHAT)

·         Citizens Advice

·         Involve – Voluntary Action in Mid Devon

·         Mid Devon Mobility

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Reason for the Decision – So that the allocation of grants could continue to support external agencies delivering services to enhance the Council’s Homes, Community and Economy priorities

Notes:

    i.)        Cllr D J Knowles declared a personal interest as a member of the Mid Devon Museum and Involve

    ii.)            *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes