Agenda item

The Committee heard from the Communities Manager who presented recommendations regarding the approval of future voluntary & community sector core funding awards. It was explained that the Council provided a range of core Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) grants to support the delivery of projects and services for the benefit of communities and residents. The delivery of these services contributed towards the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities and various other strategies, with the current VCS funding agreements due to end on 31 March 2026. A summary of organisations currently receiving core VCS funding was provided, with an ongoing base budget within the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) of £184,700 per annum in relation to the commitment for Voluntary & Community Sector funding grants, which matched the proposed grant awards for 2026/27.

Members heard that at the Prosperous Communities Committee meeting on 3 December 2024, a second recommendation had been approved to continue the VCS Funding Review work, with further engagement and site visits for Councillors during 2025. It was explained that review work was still required, and the report proposed conducting further engagement and review during 2026, taking into consideration key developments such as Local Government Reorganisation.

Members of the Committee expressed their recognition of the work undertaken by the voluntary and community sector, highlighting the financial difficulties faced across the board. The suggestion for a review to be undertaken was noted to have been referenced in the previous report to committee, with Members expressing disappointment that this had not progressed. It was requested that the review incorporated clear data regarding value for money for residents, as well as an understanding of services offered.

With regard to the figures proposed within the report and recommendation, a Member of the Committee detailed the work undertaken by Citizens Advice and, based on the breadth of support provided to residents, proposed an amendment to increase funding to Citizens Advice Lincoln and Lindsey to £70,000.

Further debate ensued, during which the services provided by named organisations were discussed, as well as identifying options for gathering relevant data, such as use of the State of the District report. During the course of debate, and with a view to ensuring the review of funding progressed in a timely manner, it was proposed that the timeframe contained within the second recommendation be amended for the Committee to receive the report by July 2026, as opposed to the printed December 2026. Following advice from Officers, and clarification from the Democratic Services Officer, the subsequent amendment was for the report to be received by the Committee by September 2026.

With both amendments having been proposed and seconded, the Chairman took the vote on each amendment.

The proposed to increase funding to Citizens Advice Lincoln and Lindsey to £70,000 was lost by majority vote.

The proposed amendment regarding the timescale for the review of funding to be presented to the Committee by September 2026 was carried.

Members of the Committee revisited the debate regarding gathering additional data, and it was proposed that an additional recommendation be put forward, that Officers provide a scope, fee proposal, and timeline, for an external review of Voluntary and Community Sector Funding for consideration by the Committee. The proposal was duly seconded and voted upon, and lost by majority vote.

With the Chairman drawing the debate to a close, the recommendations, as amended through the course of discussions, were put to the Committee. On being proposed, seconded, and voted upon, it was

            RESOLVED that

a)    the Voluntary & Community Sector funding for 2026/27 be approved as follows:

·         Call Connect - £30,000

·         Citizens Advice Lincoln & Lindsey - £60,200

·         Gainsborough Adventure Playground Association - £15,000

·         Lincoln Area Dial-a-Ride - £13,000

·         Live & Local - £3,500

·         The Conservation Volunteers - £30,000

·         Voluntary Centre Services - £25,000

·         West Lindsey Churches Festival - £8,000

b)    a review of Voluntary & Community Sector funding be undertaken as set out in Section 5 of this report and presented the relevant policy committee by September 2026.