Issue - meetings

Recommendation from the Board on the payment of annual grants to voluntary groups in 2019/20.

The recommendations of the Grants Board were agreed and Annual Community Grants would be paid as follows:

Recommendation from the meeting of the Grants Board on 5 November 2018 on community grant applications - annual grants (Minute 9 refers).

The budget for annual community grants for 2019/20 was £174,270 of which £95,000 was ring fenced for the Citizens Advice Bureau leaving £79,270 for discretionary awards by the Grants Board.

Applications were oversubscribed totalling £103,892.95 with one application rejected by the Board and four awarded in total. An amount of £6,918 remained unallocated which the Grants Board would consider at the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That Annual Community Grants be paid as follows as recommended by the Grants Board:-

(Note:- * Previously agreed per annum for three years).

Report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) detailing the applications for Community Grants.

The report of the Corporate Director (Housing and Communities) set out six applications from voluntary groups (outlined in Appendix A).

The total amount available for the Grants Board to allocate for the financial year 2019/20 was £174,270. However, it was agreed in 2017/18 as part of the budget setting that for a three year period, the Citizens Advices Bureau would have a ring fenced budget of £95,000.

Therefore the overall budget associated to Annual Grants for the financial year 2019/20 would be £79,270, subject to agreement from the Council’s Cabinet during the budget setting process.

The Grants Board considered the Annual Community Grant applications and allocated the funding in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Priorities which are “Our Community, Our Environment, Our Housing, Our Economy and Engage with our communities and provide value for money”.

The Board noted that Resolve had withdrawn their application as they were receiving funding from the Council via a separate process.

Welwyn Hatfield Community and Voluntary Service (CVS)

An application had been received for the amount of £9,500 towards the operation of the Community Car Scheme for elderly and/or unwell citizens as well as supporting individuals to find voluntary opportunities and support community sector organisations with advice.

Members commented that it was an invaluable scheme as the service between the QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City and Lister in Stevenage was no longer provided.

AGREED a grant of £9,500.

Hatfield and District Age Concern (Friendship House)

An application had been received for the amount of £15,000 towards the Centre’s operating, maintenance and overhead costs, especially staff salaries, food provisions and utility costs.

Members commented that it was a worthy scheme which helped the elderly in the community and particularly alleviated loneliness.

AGREED a grant of £15,000.

The Recover Team Ltd

An application had been received for the amount of £13,892 towards setting up recover “roadshows” at partner organisations and training sessions which would include a series of half-day workshops for a month with participants receiving one to one support.

Members of the Board expressed concern that the furniture sold on the trading side of the charity was often highly priced:  If the furniture was more affordable it would benefit sales as well as providing a service to a wider section of the community.

Members agreed with the principle aims of the project in helping those to recover from addiction and the “upcycling” of furniture reduced waste to landfill.

AGREED a grant of £13,892.

University of Hertfordshire

An application had been received for the amount of £15,000 towards the de Havilland Community Garden for landscaping, fencing, raised beds, seating as well as outdoor furniture.

Members commented that as an educational establishment other funding streams were available. On balance other applications had greater merits and provided more value to a greater number of residents. With limited funds available to support community projects, the Board felt unable to support the application. 

REFUSED the application.

Welwyn Hatfield Women's Refuge & Support Services

An application had been received for the amount  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9