Agenda item - South West Local Area Committee Budget 2024/25

Report of the South West Local Area Committee Manager

12.1

The Committee considered a report of the Community Services Manager on the funding allocated to the South West Local Area Committee and the proposals for its allocation and expenditure for 2024/25 in line with the priorities of the South West Local Area Committee.

12.2

The proposed expenditure and budget allocation for 2024/25 was as follows:-

Priority & Element	Anticipated Expenditure
Community Speed Watch	Up to £1,000
Schools Good Parking / Bad Parking Project	£400
Funding for management of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS) in the Area	Up to £1,200
Allocation of funding to support Environmental Groups activities in the area through grants.	£10,000
SW LAC Eco Fair	£2,000
Greenhouses for schools	£3,600
Bug Houses	Up to £1,000
Thermal Imaging Camera	£2,000
Support Litter Pickers with equipment	£1,000
Support Isolation and Loneliness and Cost of Living Activities	£20,000
Community Cinema Event	£2,000
Support Unpaid Carers	£2,000
Local Business Network Event and funding to support local businesses	£5,000
Events and Festivals	£4,000
Engagement and Public meeting costs	£2,000
SW LAC Ward Funds, to allocate to local projects	£40,000
Total	£97,200

12.3

RESOLVED: That the South West Local Area Committee approves the proposed allocated expenditure against the £100,000 budget to address local priorities in the South West LAC Community Plan in 2024/25.

12.4

Reasons for Decision

The South West Local Area Committee is asked to approve the broad allocation of funding under the priority headings identified to assist its ability to monitor its budget, and to authorise the Community Services Manager to approve expenditure above the current delegated authority in certain circumstances so that delivery of the Community Plan is not delayed.

12.5

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

All decisions on expenditure could be reserved to the Local Area Committee but this would inevitably delay delivery of priority actions to address specific issues identified in the Community Plan.

All decisions on expenditure to support Community Plan priorities could be delegated to officers. However, this would restrict and undermine the Local Area Committee’s ability to monitor its delegated budget and delivery of the Community Plan.