Decision details

To seek approval for the acceptance of a grant from the Ministry of Defence for the sum of £180,695 to support the work of the Armed Forces Covenant in the South Yorkshire region. Where Sheffield City Council is the Accountable Body for the grant and is responsible for awarding grants under partnership agreements to Sheffield Hallam and York St Johns Universities.

That approval is given to:

(i) accept the Ministry of Defence Grant Offer of £180,695 and for Sheffield City Council to be named as the Accountable Body;

(ii) delegate authority to the Acting Executive Director, Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the Director of Legal and Governance to enter into such Grant Funding Agreement with the Ministry of Defence; and

(iii) delegate authority to the Acting Executive Director, Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the Director of Legal and Governance to:

a) agree terms and conditions and thereafter to enter into Partnership Agreements with Sheffield Hallam and York St John Universities.

b) to award grants under such Partnership Agreements in line with this report.

The Covenant Fund provides us with an opportunity to bring in national funding for a project that will benefit the whole of South Yorkshire.  Sheffield City Council has taken the lead on the bid and would therefore naturally be the accountable body.  The research and training provided through the partnership will benefit employees and the local armed forces community.  The fund will be support the partnership between the South Yorkshire authorities and the Universities.

That the fund not be accepted – this was considered however the region would then miss the opportunity to better understand the needs of the local armed forces community through research.  Employees would also miss out on the opportunity to better understand the needs of the local armed forces community.