Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

a)    notes the delivery of the Community Grant Scheme in 2024-25 to date; and

b)    continue to budget for the Community Grant Scheme for 2025-26 to 2028-29.

The Business Manager – Regeneration & Housing Strategy presented a report which gave an update on the Community Grant scheme delivery for 2024-25 to date, and budget setting proposals for 2025-26 to 2028-29. During 2023/24 a review of the grant scheme criteria led to a range of changes ineligibility, grant value and prioritisation which were approved by the Cabinet in October 2023.  

The first round of the community grant scheme for 2024-25 received 29 applications of which 16 were successful. Five of these grants were allocated funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund. The successful applications were listed in the report. It was proposed that the £100,000 budget for the scheme continue for 2025-26 onwards.

Councillor J Kellas raised the eligibility criteria in relation to small parish councils being excluded from this funding opportunity. The Portfolio Holder agreed to discuss this further.

AGREED     (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)           notes the delivery of the Community Grant Scheme in 2024-25 to date; and

b)          continue to budget for the Community Grant Scheme for 2025-26 to 2028-29.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure that funding can be allocated to community groups, supporting communities to be sustainable and thrive.

Options Considered:

To withdraw the community grant scheme – this alternative has been discounted due to the demonstrable positive impact the scheme has on the local community – empowering local groups and developing community capacity and resilience.

To amend the community grant scheme criteria and prioritisation – this alternative has been discounted as the scheme criteria and prioritisation have only been in place for one year (approved Oct 2023) and continue to reflect the Council’s community plan objectives.