Issue - meetings

To consider changes to the Council’s Grants Policy and the funding split and themes for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) grants process for 2012/13.

(Report attached)

The Committee received a report which sought approval for changes to the Grants Policy 2011 and agreement of the funding split and themes for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) grants process for 2012/13.

Members were informed that paragraph 9.13 of the Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Policy, attached to the report at Appendix 1 had been amended as follows:

“Only 2 applications may be submitted by any one organisation under each theme of the grants programme.”

Officers reported that the change was to ensure that a wide range of voluntary organisations could apply for grants through the programme.

Officers explained the rationale for the figure of £15,000 being included for a 3 Year Training & Support Project.

Officers were complimented on the ‘Shout About’ magazine which gave information on how the VCS could access funding from other sources.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the updated Voluntary Sector Grants Policy attached to the report at Appendix 1 be approved;

2)         the following themes and percentages of funding be allocated for the 2012/13 voluntary and community sector grants process:  (see Appendix 3 of the report for details on themes)

and

3)         £1,000 (0.5%) be allocated from the Grants budget for the use by the Grants Team to deliver:

a)         networking and promotional events;

b)        advertising and communication support;

c)         newsletters.

(Prior to consideration of this item, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000, Councillors Malcolm Hall and Jinny Pearce declared personal and prejudicial interests in view of their involvement with VCS groups who might make applications for grant funding and left the meeting and took no part in voting.)