Decision details

Resolved

that Cabinet:

1.

Approved an increase to the Councillor Grant fund budget (GS1002 34537) from £9000 to £30,000 from 1 April 2024 by:

• Retaining the current £9000 Councillor Grant GS1002 34537

• Permanent virement of £15,000 Environmental Grant GX180134537 to GS1002 34537 Councillor grants from 1 April 2024

• Permanent virement of £3000 Festive grant fund GY1603 34537to GS1002 34537 Councillor Grants from 1 April 2024

• Permanent virement of £3000 from the Community Grants budget GS1002 31551 which will reduce this budget to £15,590 to GS1002 34537 Councillor Grants, recognising that retained funding will be available as per recommendation 2.

2.

Approved the retention of any underspend of Councillor environmental grant, Councillor Grant, Community Grant funding and Councillor Special Project Fund 2023/24 (where total in each budget line is above £5000) to be ringfenced in a retained budget for additional community grant/match funding for any emerging theme projects, e.g., Cost-of living crisis. This fund to be retained for up to 5 years (April 2029).

3.

Approved the retention of any underspend on the Councillor and Community grant funds from 2024/25 (where it exceeds £5000) be retained for up to 5 years as per recommendation 2

4.

Decommissioned the Councillor Special Project Grant Scheme with effect from 31 March 2024, but retain the budget (PM1685 - £5,318) as detailed in recommendation 2. This budget code will be retained and any future underspend as per recommendation 2 and 3 will be vired to this retained budget for up to 5 years.

5.

Approved delegation to the Portfolio Holder Environmental Health and Community Partnerships/AD Partnerships/AD Environment, Culture and Wellbeing to manage the retained funds.

6.

Approved the updated criteria for Councillor grant funding attached as Appendix 1.

7.

Considered and approved management of Councillor grants and Community grants through Staffordshire Foundation with continued reporting to the Grants and Nominations Committee from 1st April 2024 to 31 March 2025 whilst the current Grants and Funding Officer is on secondment,enabling further review of Tamworth Borough Council grant funding and support for the voluntary sector

8.

Delegated approval to the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health and Community Partnerships and AD Partnerships to consider options for community grant funding going forward for future Cabinet consideration.

(Moved by Councillor M Summers and seconded by Councillor A Cooper)