Decision details

The Council funded a number of voluntary organisations which either worked in partnership with the Council or performed functions on the Council’s behalf.  The allocation of these grants in 2016/17 had been £140,000 for community organisations and £24,900 for leisure organisations, totalling £162,900.

The Executive considered a table providing a breakdown of these organisations’ funding requests, together with supporting information.  The table compared the funding requested against the grant awarded for 2016/17, the percentage of requested funding against annual running costs and, where appropriate, the in-kind financial support given to the organisations.

Members were also provided with information relating to the achievement of targets contained in each of the Service Level Agreements (SLA). 

It was reported that, during the course of the previous year, the External Partnerships Select Committee had invited a number of the revenue grant funded organisations to its meetings to explore their fundraising strategies and future financial sustainability. 

Whilst most organisations were working hard to safeguard their future financial sustainability, a number of positive recommendations had been made and had been implemented, including Tringhams Lunch Club teaming up with Surrey Heath Age Concern to cross reference clients and enhance transport opportunities.

With regard to Tringhams Lunch Club, the organisation had already been consulted on the proposed grant reduction.

It was noted that, within the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership annual report for 2016, there had been few references to core works undertaken in Surrey Heath for public benefit, which the grant awarded by SHBC was meant to support. The Partnership would also now benefit from SANGS (Suitable Alternative Green Space) funding. It had been proposed that its grant be reduced from £10,000 to £5,000.

Resolved that, subject to the delivery of the service level agreements, revenue grants be allocated for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 as follows:

(Note:  In accordance with the Council’s Members Code of Conduct, Councillor Charlotte Morley declared a non-pecuniary interest as the Secretary and the Council’s representative on the Surrey Heath Sports Council.)