Agenda item

To consider the method of grant funding for community radio stations.

1.    That the Equality Impact Assessment be noted.

2.    That the need to ensure that there are equitable funding opportunities available to the whole of the voluntary and community sector, through open and transparent processes, whilst acknowledging the need to support the community radio stations through a period of transitional change, be noted.

3.    That support be given to a stepped approach to change, with assurance that there is support for these organisations to move towards having a sound financial plan. 

4.    That approval be given for the £10,000 community radio station budget to be available to all community radio stations in the borough with acknowledgement that this may result in a lower funding award for some organisations than in previous years.

5.    That the funding be advertised directly with the community radio stations operating in Cheshire East from Monday 27 June for 10 working days; decisions on the allocation of monies will be made no later than 15 July 2016 and this process will apply to the financial year of 2016/17 only. 

6.    It be noted that the application process will require community radio stations to submit information on the following:

i)     The level of previous funding that they have received from the Council;

ii)    The level of previous and current funding from other sources over the last 3 fiscal years of the organisation

iii)   What the funding is requested for and how it will be used within their business plan, a copy of which must be supplied;

iv)   What the benefits are of the funding to the Council and its residents?

v)    To declare that the community radio station will not have any political bias to any particular party as a result of any funding award.

vi)   To agree that all applications are to be considered by the Portfolio Holder in consultation with Steph Cordon, Head of Communities, who will make the final decision on the funding allocation. 

vii) The £10,000 community radio station budget will be transferred to the community grants budget from 2017/18 onwards. 

As a Residents First Council the support and added value the community and voluntary sector brings to our local residents and communities is recognised.  Community radio stations play an important role within the communities they serve, they are community focussed and highlight and promote news and events in the local area, raising awareness of the range of services available not only within the council but its wider partner organisations and the community and voluntary sector as a whole. 

It was reported that the funding arrangements for community radio stations had been reviewed and were to be brought in line with the Council’s corporate commissioning principles; this would address inequalities and ensure transparency of funding so that all eligible community radio stations could apply for funding on the same basis.

The partnerships and communities team would work with all community radio stations in order to help them to become self-sustaining and look at a number of different options for financial management to help reduce the reliance on grant funding, particularly from the Council.  Community radio stations would also be eligible to apply to the Council’s community grants scheme, alongside all other voluntary, community and faith organisations within the borough. 

It was noted that the Community Grants Scheme operates under a policy which is reviewed by Cabinet each year to ensure that it is fit for purpose.  The process is open and transparent with all grant decisions being made at a Portfolio Holders meeting, which is open to the public.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Equality Impact Assessment be noted.

2.    That the need to ensure that there are equitable funding opportunities available to the whole of the voluntary and community sector, through open and transparent processes, whilst acknowledging the need to support the community radio stations through a period of transitional change, be noted.

3.    That support be given to a stepped approach to change, with assurance that there is support for these organisations to move towards having a sound financial plan. 

4.    That approval be given for the £10,000 community radio station budget to be available to all community radio stations in the borough with acknowledgement that this may result in a lower funding award for some organisations than in previous years.

5.    That the funding be advertised directly with the community radio stations operating in Cheshire East from Monday 27 June for 10 working days; decisions on the allocation of monies will be made no later than 15 July 2016 and this process will apply to the financial year of 2016/17 only. 

6.    It be noted that the application process will require community radio stations to submit information on the following:

i)     The level of previous funding that they have received from the Council;

ii)    The level of previous and current funding from other sources over the last 3 fiscal years of the organisation

iii)   What the funding is requested for and how it will be used within their business plan, a copy of which must be supplied;

iv)   What the benefits are of the funding to the Council and its residents?

v)    To declare that the community radio station will not have any political bias to any particular party as a result of any funding award.

vi)   To agree that all applications are to be considered by the Portfolio Holder in consultation with Steph Cordon, Head of Communities, who will make the final decision on the funding allocation. 

vii) The £10,000 community radio station budget will be transferred to the community grants budget from 2017/18 onwards.