Meeting documents
Executive (I)
Thursday, 5th December, 2013
| REPORT TO: | 10 |
| DECISION NUMBER: | PH/126/2013 |
| EARLIEST DATE FOR DECISION: | 5th December 2013 |
AWARD OF SMALL GRANTS TO VOLUNTARY SECTOR ORGANISATIONS | |
| Matter for Consideration: The allocation of funding through the small grants scheme to Voluntary Sector Organisations for 2013/2014. | |
| Information: The Executive Advisory Panel consisting of Councillors Jackson, Taylor, Cross, Campbell and Jones met on 12th November 2013 to consider applications received to the Small Grant Fund. A total of 27 applications had been received from voluntary, community and faith sector groups. The total fund available for small grants in 2013/2014 was £29,611. It had already been agreed that this funding be split into two allocations, with the first funding round being opened in June 2013 and funding awarded to six organisations. For this round of funding allocation there was a total amount of £19,952 available. The Panel considered all complete applications noting the amount of funding applied for, what the funding would provide, from where remaining funds would be obtained and the financial statements of applicants. Panel members also gave consideration to the application and its links to Council priorities. Each application was also considered regarding its value to the Blackpool resident considering the geographical impact of the funding on any certain wards, communities or the Borough as a whole. The Panel recommends that the following organisations be awarded funding for the reasons identified: Organisation Applied For Amount Reason Helping Hand £4,998.48 £501.64 The organisation had applied for funding towards salary costs (£1,997.84) and towards the running costs of the ‘Befriending Bus’ (£501.64). However, salary costs are not included in the eligibility criteria for small grants applications. The Panel considered that the application contributed to the Council’s priority to safeguard and protect the most vulnerable but that that funding should only be approved provided the project was still able to be undertaken with funding not being provided for the salary costs. East Lancashire Women’s Centre £1,200 £1,200 The Panel considered that the organisation contributed to achieving a number of Council priorities, including ‘improve health and wellbeing for the most disadvantaged’, ‘create safer communities and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour’ and ‘deliver quality services through a professional, well-rewarded and motivated workforce’. Blackpool Environmental Action Team Limited £1,150 £1,150 The Panel considered that approximately 100 residents would benefit from the application, through improvements being made to the area at the sheltered housing site. Streetlife £2,300 £2,300 The Panel considered that the funding would help to support the Council’s priorities and that it was anticipated that at least 40 people from Blackpool would benefit from the small grant. The notes of the meeting, which contain details of the applications that were considered but that were not allocated funding and the reasons why this was recommended by the Panel is attached at Appendix A. The total amount of funding recommended for approval by the Panel in this round of funding allocations is £5,151.64. Therefore, a further £14,800.36 remains available for allocation. The Panel considered that a number of the initial rejections of applications had been as a result of organisations being small and therefore, not necessarily maintaining detailed accounts to the level required for the grant eligibility criteria. The Panel recommended that those organisations that had applied for this round of small grant funding, but had been initially rejected for not submitting adequate financial information in their initial application, be allowed another opportunity to submit a completed application form. | |
| Does the information submitted include any exempt information? | NO |
| Legal Considerations: The allocation of funding is in line with small grant conditions being met. | |
| Personnel Considerations: Equalities issues have been analysed throughout the application process with specific questions on the application forms. An equality impact assessment has been undertaken. | |
| Financial Considerations: The total amount of funding recommended is within the allocated budget. | |
| Performance Management Considerations: The Voluntary Sector Funding Monitoring Scrutiny Panel has responsibility for monitoring voluntary sector funding. | |
| Risk Management Considerations: None. | |
| Relevant Officer: Sally Shaw, Head of Corporate Development, Engagement and Communications. | |
| Relevant Cabinet Member: Councillor S. Blackburn | |
| Consultation Undertaken: None. | |
| Background Papers: | |
| Is this a key decision? | NO |
| Is the decision required in less than 5 days? | NO |
| Recommendations: To approve the allocation of small grant funding to Voluntary Sector Organisations for 2013/2014 as recommended by the Executive Advisory Panel and outlined in paragraph 4.4 of this report. To allow those organisations that had applied for this round of small grant funding, but had been initially rejected for not submitting adequate financial information in their initial application, another opportunity to submit a completed application form. | |
| Reasons for Recommendations: To approve the allocation of Voluntary Sector Funding 2013 -2014. | |
| Is the recommendation contrary to a plan or strategy adopted or approved by the Council? | NO |
| Is the recommendation in accordance with the Council’s approved Budget? | YES |
| Other alternative options to be considered: Alternative funding options could be considered but would require a full impact assessment and take into consideration the fixed funding deadlines. | |
| Policy, Overview, and Scrutiny Committee Chairman (where appropriate) Date Informed: N/A Date Approved: N/A | |
| DECLARATION(S) OF INTEREST (if applicable) None | |
| Decision: The Leader of the Council agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely: 1. To approve the allocation of small grant funding to voluntary sector organisations for 2013/2014 as recommended by the Executive Advisory Panel and outlined in paragraph 4.4 of this report. 2. To allow those organisations that had applied for this round of small grant funding, but had been initially rejected for not submitting adequate financial information in their initial application, another opportunity to submit a completed application form. | |
| Date: | 5th December 2013 |
| Reason for Decision: To approve the allocation of Voluntary Sector Funding 2013 -14. | |
Date of Publication: | 5th December 2013 |
[ ]
