Agenda item

Members heard from the Head of Localities and Community Services who presented a report seeking approval to establish a Community Grants Programme for 2026/27 and 2027/28. Members were advised that the programme would build upon the Council's existing grant activity and provide four funding streams comprising the Councillor Initiative Fund, Community Action Fund, Community Facilities Fund, and Community Environment Fund. It was noted that a formal review of the programme would be undertaken once £2,000,000 had been awarded, or during Quarter One of 2027/28, whichever occurred sooner.

During the debate, a Member of the Committee welcomed the report, however, based on changed circumstances since the publication of the report, she proposed amendments which related to details contained within the report, those being:

·         Section 2.4 (Community Facilities Fund) be amended to increase the maximum grant available for strategically important projects considered by exception from £100,000 to £150,000;

·         Section 3.6 be amended to increase the maximum grant available for strategically important projects considered by exception from £100,000 to £150,000; and

·         Section 6.1 be amended to remove reference to the Community Action Fund from the geographic scope provision.

Officers confirmed that whilst the proposed amendments would not alter the recommendations before the Committee, it would be necessary for the amendments to be detailed within any final decision made as they related to the detail referenced within recommendation one of the report.

A Member sought assurance that the proposed allocation of funding would not impact upon the Council's ambitions for the Gainsborough Leisure Centre project and raised questions regarding the allocation of responsibilities between committees. In response, the Deputy Leader of the Council reaffirmed the Administration's commitment to delivering improvements at the Leisure Centre and advised that a review point had been built into the programme to allow further consideration of funding priorities. The Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities explained that committee responsibilities were aligned to the themes of the Corporate Plan.

Further discussion took place regarding the distribution of grant funding across the district. Concerns were raised regarding ensuring equitable access to funding and avoiding disproportionate allocation to areas or organisations. The Chairman emphasised the importance of ensuring that new and existing community groups across the district were made aware of the funding opportunities and had equal opportunity to apply.

A Member clarified that the proposed amendment to the Community Action Fund was intended to ensure that revenue funding remained available to community organisations within Gainsborough, whilst recognising other investment programmes already operating within the town.

With no further comments or indications to speak, the Chairman confirmed the recommendations as printed had been proposed and seconded. He requested the amendments which were relevant to recommendation be repeated, and, having confirmed with the Committee there was no dissent, he called the vote, and it was

RESOLVED that

a)    the delivery of a Community Grants Programme be approved as detailed within the report, subject to the following amendments:

·         Section 2.4 (Community Facilities Fund) be amended to increase the maximum grant available for strategically important projects considered by exception from £100,000 to £150,000;

·         Section 3.6 be amended to increase the maximum grant available for strategically important projects considered by exception from £100,000 to £150,000; and

·         Section 6.1 be amended to remove reference to the Community Action Fund from the geographic scope provision.

b)    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 recommended to the Thriving Council Committee for approval; and

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

d)    the continuation of the Councillor Initiative Fund in 2027/28 be approved, with £36,000 from the Community Grant Scheme Reserve to be approved under delegated authority by the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer); and

e)    the delivery of the Community Environment Fund be approved, with £50,000 from the Environment and Climate Change Reserve to be approved under delegated authority by the Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer); and

f)     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 recommended to the Thriving Council Committee for approval.

Note:              Councillor T. Young requested that his abstention from the vote be recorded in the minutes.