The report makes recommendations on the allocation of funding and vehicles in line with associated policies, and seeks approval of expressions of interest for large grants. In all cases a detailed assessment of each application has been undertaken in line with the criteria for each scheme.
The Transport & Accessibility Grant Scheme and Vehicle Allocation Scheme will support community-led activities which improve access to essential services, such as healthcare, shopping, leisure and other destinations that are important to local residents. The applications which are recommended for award/shortlist best meet the criteria in improving access to services, particularly for disadvantaged groups, with a high level of community involvement and proposals to sustain the project into future.
In October 2013 Cabinet agreed the allocation of £250,000 for the Transport and Accessibility Grant Scheme from the approved 2013/14 base budget. The grant scheme operates two tiers of funding based on the value – small grants up to £9,999 and larger grants of over £10,000. The value of the expressions of interest for large grants recommended for short listing will be dependent on the submission of detailed Business Cases/Plans due to be submitted by 17 February 2014.
At the same time Cabinet also agreed to allocate 9 Council-owned vehicles which are surplus to requirements to community and voluntary organisations. The vehicles vary in age ranging from 9 to 4 years old and the policy makes clear that the vehicles are gifted in the condition as of the date of transfer. These donations will facilitate the development of community-led transport initiatives which are tailored to local needs. The Council received 11 applications and following the assessment it is proposed that all 9 vehicles are allocated.
Ten applications were made to the LSTF Business Travel Planning Grant Scheme and of these it is recommended that nine are awarded.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: (All Wards);