Members gave consideration to a report which set out the findings arising from the 2018 Community and Voluntary Sector Funding Review.

As part of the Council’s on-going commitment to support and work with the community and voluntary sector, it provided a range of core funding grants. This type of funding was awarded to organisations that delivered key services that benefited residents, local communities and helped support the Corporate Plan priorities, which had been set by the Council.

A CVS Funding Review was undertaken every 3 years in order to ensure the Council continued to support organisations delivering key outcomes for communities in West Lindsey.

The Review process undertaken was outlined in detail and this work had culminated in the production of the Funding Review Report for 2018 attached as Appendix A to the report.  Within the report were details of the current agreements, the review process undertaken, the review timeline, the panel’s decisions and the financial profile for 2019-2022.

In conclusion, Members noted the intention for a more in-depth review to be conducted over the next three year period, which would include a wider analysis of priorities, needs and demands and gaps in service provision.  The last time such an exercise had been undertaken was in 2012.  The review would be conducted with Member involvement and wider engagement with the community and voluntary sector, partner agencies and local communities.

Debate ensued and Members initially expressed concerns of the withdrawing of funding for Community Lincs, particularly in light of the invaluable work they undertook in respect of Neighbourhood Planning.  Indication was sought as to whether this service would continue and what work had been undertaken to-date to secure alternative arrangements.

In response Officers advised there was already a broad agreement and commitment in place for this element of work to continue.  The value added by Community Lincs in this respect had been widely recognised and current Neighbourhood Planning budgets could possibly allow for this work to continue to be funded, albeit outside of the Community and Voluntary Sector Grant monies.  Officers would need to work on a finalised arrangement and agreement but gave their assurance that if for whatever reason this was not realised, then a report would be brought back to this Committee. 

The reassurance was welcomed and a Member therefore moved the recommendations.

Members shared the sentiment expressed with regard to the support offered by Community Lincs in relation to Neighbourhood Planning. The commitment to continue to offer such provision beyond March 2019 was also welcomed and as such the recommendations were seconded.  

The funding offered to Dial-a-Ride was considered to offer real value for money considering the level of provision afforded to the district, and number of service users.  The Council representative outlined the funding level to service provision ratio afforded to each partner organisation, and in comparison he considered West Lindsey received a lot of service for not a lot of investment, a point considered worthy of note.

Members were therefore supportive of the small increase being proposed. 

A Member sought indication as to why the potential reported underspend had not been utilised in order to give small increases to some of the other organisations. In responding Officers advised that increases had only been considered where a particular organisation had requested such. In respect of Dial-a-Ride requests for an increase had previously been made, but not granted, due to there being no additional monies.  Simply using underspends as, in effect, top up grants was not considered appropriate, particularly in the event of the in-depth review being approved, which could see the funding model change in future years.

From a financial point of view the underspend would be re-allocated to general fund reserves, available to fund any service across the whole Council, where a future need was identified.  On that basis, if a community based service need was identified in the future then this may be considered for funding if appropriate, but it would have to be considered on its merits and based on the Council’s financial position at that time, as opposed to it being a case of simply re-allocating some of the underspend.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)         the CVS Funding Review report and the funding decision recommended by the Member Community Grants Panel, as detailed within the review report and summarised at Section 4.1 of the report, be approved and agreed; and

(b)         a more detailed review of Community and Voluntary Sector Funding be undertaken during the next three years.

Note:         Councillors John McNeill and Owen Bierley declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in the above item of business as they were Members of the Community Grants Panel.

                   The Executive Director of Operations declared a personal interest to the meeting in that he was a Board Member and Trustee of Community Lincs on a voluntary basis.