Agenda item

The Executive RESOLVED that

(i)   a revised Revenue Grant Scheme, as set out in paragraph 4.1.3 of the agenda report, be agreed;

(ii)  authority be delegated to the Executive Head of Transformation and Executive Head of Business in consultation with the Support & Safeguarding Portfolio Holder to agree the terms of the new policy; and

(iii)a review of the level of budget for Revenue Grants be included in the next budget round.

The Executive was reminded that, at its meeting on 22 January 2019, it had agreed to undertake a review of the Revenue Grants Scheme in the 2019/20 municipal year.

Over the previous 16 years grants had been awarded to the same organisations, with the exception of the funding to The Butts discontinuing in 2014 and Camberley Job Club receiving funding since 2016. It was noted that the Scheme was not open to new applications.

Members recognised the value the funding of these organisations brought to the borough. Organisations funded by the Scheme could generally be broken down into two types, namely:

a)    Organisations that independently provided services that met local priorities, needs and gaps; and

b)    Organisations that undertook work on the Council’s behalf where there were greater benefits achieved through economy of scale in comparison to the Council working alone.

Nine organisations were currently invited to apply for a grant on an annual basis.  It was noted that some organisations in the second bracket had expressed frustration about applying for grants on an annual basis, as they considered the work they performed to be part of long standing partnership agreements. 

Members considered a report setting out options considered during the review. The proposed option was to ring fence funding for certain organisations that performed functions on the Council’s behalf, including Citizens Advice Surrey Heath, Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and Basingstoke Canal Authority, for up to a three year period. The remaining funding would be opened to organisations that could deliver services which met changing local priorities.

The External Partnerships Select Committee had considered the options at its meeting in June 2019 and had supported the option proposed.

It was noted that the budget for Revenue Grants had not been reviewed in a number of years and would have consequently reduced in real terms. It was agreed that the level of budget would be included in the next budget round.

RESOLVED that

(i)        a revised Revenue Grant Scheme, as set out in paragraph 4.1.3 of the agenda report, be agreed;

(ii)      authority be delegated to the Executive Head of Transformation and Executive Head of Business in consultation with the Support & Safeguarding Portfolio Holder to agree the terms of the new policy; and

(iii)     a review of the level of budget for Revenue Grants be included in the next budget round.