Issue - meetings

The Head of Localities and Community Services presented a report referred from the Thriving People Committee seeking approval of the budget allocations required to deliver the Community Grants Programme between 2026/27 and 2027/28.

Members were advised that the proposed programme would bring together a range of grant funding opportunities to support community projects across the district. Approval was sought for the allocation of funding from the Reprioritisation (Investment for Growth) Reserve and the Community Grant Scheme Reserve to support both grant awards and programme delivery. It was noted that a formal review of the programme would be undertaken once £2 million had been awarded, or during Quarter One of 2027/28, whichever occurred sooner.

During the debate, Members welcomed the proposed programme and highlighted the positive impact that grant funding could have in supporting community organisations, local initiatives and projects across the district. Reference was made to the importance of ensuring funding was distributed and awarded within the remaining timeframe available before local government reorganisation.

Members emphasised the importance of ensuring equitable access to funding across all parts of the district, and sought assurance that smaller organisations with limited experience of grant applications would be supported through the process. In response, officers advised that support and guidance would be available to applicants throughout both the application and project delivery stages.

Further discussion took place regarding the promotion of the programme and engagement with community organisations, parish councils and town councils. Officers outlined the communications and support arrangements that would be implemented to maximise awareness and encourage applications from across the district.

Members also reflected on the positive outcomes delivered through previous grant programmes and the value of supporting projects that benefitted local communities.

With no further comments, having been proposed, seconded, and voted upon it was

RESOLVED that

a)    the allocation of up to £4,000,000 from the Reprioritisation (Investment for Growth) Reserve to deliver the Community Grants Programme across 2026/27 and 2027/28 be approved; and

b)    authority to approve expenditure from the £4,000,000 allocation be delegated to the Thriving People Committee, with a formal review to be undertaken when £2,000,000 had been awarded or during Quarter One of 2027/28, whichever occurred sooner; and

c)    the allocation of up to £86,400 from the Community Grant Scheme Reserve for staff costs associated with delivering the Community Grants Programme across 2026/27 and 2027/28 be approved.