Decision details

13.1

The Executive Director, Communities submitted a report focusing on the allocation of the Voluntary Sector Grant Aid Budget for 2014/15. This is a transitional year and the report proposes that a full review of the current Voluntary Sector Grant Aid criteria and processes takes place between January and June 2014, which will form part of a wider assessment of how the Council invests in the VCF Sector in future years.

13.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves that a full review of the current Voluntary Sector Grant Aid criteria and processes takes place between January and June 2014, which will form part of a wider assessment of how the Council invests in the VCF Sector from 2015/16 onwards;

(b)

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 award recommendations listed in Section 4 of the report, and detailed further in Appendix 1;

(c)

endorses the award process described in Appendix 2 to the report and approves the actions, arrangements and recommendations at Sections 4 and 11, and the following specific delegations:-

(a) delegates authority to the Director of Housing:-

(i) to administer the Lunch Clubs Small Grants Fund as described in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii) to agree the terms of and authorize the completion of all funding agreements relating to grants made from the Lunch Clubs Small Grants Fund and the Voluntary Sector Grants Fund, together with any associated agreements or arrangements that they may consider appropriate, provided that if the terms of a proposed funding agreement involves 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;

(iii) that where (a) a change of circumstance affects the ability of an organization to deliver the purpose of a grant awarded, (b) the Director 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, to review, adjust or suspend grant awards;

(b) The Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Inclusion, is authorised:-

(i) to allocate up to £15,000 to further support infrastructure services in the second 6 month period (1^st October 2014 – 31^st March 2015).

(ii) 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.

(iii) that where (a) a change of circumstance affects the ability of an organisation to deliver the purpose of the grant awarded or (b) the Director 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, to withdraw grant awards.

13.3

Reasons for Decision

13.3.1

The allocation of this funding will fundamentally contribute to the Council’s Strategic outcomes around ‘Tackling Poverty and Increasing Social Justice’. In addition it will contribute to the following objectives:-

·         A Strong and Competitive Economy

·         Better Health and Wellbeing

·         Successful Children & Young People

·         Safe and Secure Communities

·         A Great Place to Live

·         An Environmentally Responsible City

13.3.2

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

·         Health and 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

14.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

14.4.1

There were no alternative options presented in the report for consideration.

14.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

14.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

14.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Richard Webb, Executive Director, Communities

14.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Safer and Stronger Communities