Issue - meetings

To approve the adoption of the amended policy for the allocation of Community Grants

To approve the Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants, as set out in the Appendix attached to the report.

The Cabinet Member considered a report which highlighted a number of changes made to the Community Grants Policy for the financial year 2014/15.

Additional funding had been made available for the Community Grants Scheme for 2014/15, which would provide an additional £50,000 for general grants and £30,000 specifically for First World War commemoration events.

The funding increases would only apply to 2014/15 applications received in the three remaining community grant rounds.

Due to the increase in funding, it was recommended that the events and activities categories were amalgamated into one activity category, with an increased maximum award of £1,000, and the facilities category have an increased maximum award of £5,000.

It was anticipated that a number of Town and Parish Councils would wish to apply for the First World War Commemorations events.  As Town and Parish Councils were currently not eligible to apply to the Community Grant Scheme, it was recommended that the Policy be changed to allow them to apply for the First World War Commemoration events only.

It was also recommended that grant applications without planning permission in place could be considered if the application was for a feasibility study or architect fees in order to establish the viability of the project.

RESOLVED:

That the amended Policy for the Allocation of Community Grants, as set out in the Appendix to the Report, be approved.