Decision details

9.1

The Executive Director, Communities submitted a report seeking approval for recommended investment in the voluntary and community sector for 2016/17 from the Council’s Grant Aid budget. This budget was subject to approval of the Council budget for 2016/17 to be adopted at Council on 4 March 2016.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

having had due regard to the provisions of Sections 149 and 158 of the Equality Act 2010 and Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and to the issues raised by those provisions, approves the grant agreement extension recommendations  listed in Section 4 of the report, and detailed further in Appendix 1;

(b)

endorses the Voluntary Sector Grants Fund grant agreement extension process described in Appendix 2 of the report and to approve the actions, arrangements and recommendations at Sections 4 and 11;

(c)

delegates authority to the Executive Director of Communities:-

(i)

to administer the Lunch Clubs Small Grants Fund as described in Appendix 1 of the report;

(ii)

to agree the terms of and authorise the completion of all funding agreements, including amendments to the terms of any existing grant funding agreements, relating to grants made from the Lunch Clubs Small Grants Fund and the Voluntary Sector Grants Fund, together with any other associated agreements or arrangements that they may consider appropriate, provided that if the terms of a proposed funding agreement or amendments to the terms of an existing agreement involve the variation of any standard terms previously agreed by Internal Audit and / or Legal Services, the agreement shall not be completed without the consent of the Chief Internal Auditor and the Director of Legal and Governance; and

(iii)

to review, adjust or suspend grant awards where (A) a change of circumstance affects the ability of an organisation to deliver the purpose of the grant awarded, (B) the Executive Director of Communities considers the performance of the organisation to be below an acceptable standard or (C) an organisation has breached any of the award conditions contained in their funding agreement,; and

(d)

delegates authority to the Executive Director, Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Equality:-

(i)

to agree the amounts, purposes and recipients of any individual grants awarded in year from the Grant Funds including any additional sums received or returned or unpaid funds;

(ii)

to withdraw grant awards where (A) a change of circumstance affects the ability of an organisation to deliver the purpose of the grant awarded or (B) the Executive Director, Communities considers the performance of the organisation to be below an acceptable standard or (C) an organisation has breached any of the award conditions contained in their funding agreement,; and

(iii)

to allocate any other additional sums that may be received in year from other parts of the Council or other partners as part of the Council Grant Aid process to fund local voluntary sector activity.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The allocation of this funding to preventative services will fundamentally contribute to the Values, Priorities and Strategic Outcomes of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2015-18. In particular -

Priorities

•           Tackling inequalities

•           Better health and wellbeing

•           In-touch organisation

9.3.2

In addition, the allocation of this funding will contribute to the Fairness Commission’s recommendations around –

•           Health & Wellbeing for All

•           Fair Access to High Quality Jobs and Pay

•           Fair Access to Benefits and Credit

•           Housing and a Better Environment

•           A Safe City

•           What Citizens and Communities can do

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

In the past 5 years the voluntary sector has experienced a challenging scenario of public and other sources of funding being reduced.  This reduction includes both grants and contracts for services.

Due to the current funding climate and work being underway but not completed regarding the future of Sheffield City Council’s grant aid pot it is recommended that the existing Voluntary Sector Grants Fund agreements are continued in 2016/17 to provide some stability for the organisations funded and time to adapt to a new grants regime.  

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Communities

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Safer and Stronger Communities