The report  of the Strategic Director, Environment and Sport (Document “R”) sets out the Community Building Grants allocation process.  Community Building Grants are for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations to support them in meeting their associated building related costs.

Recommended –

(1)     That the proposed allocation process for Community Building Grants be noted.

(2)     That the Keighley Area Co-ordinator be requested to organise meetings of the Area Committee’s Grants Advisory Group to consider Community Building Grant applications for funding from groups within the Keighley Area. 

(3)     That the Keighley Area Co-ordinator presents a further report to a meeting within the 2016-17 municipal year with recommendations from the Grants Advisory Group on how to allocate the Community Building Grants funds available. 

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Amria Khatun – 01274 437467)

The report of the Strategic Director, Environment and Sport (Document “R”) set out the Community Building Grants allocation process.  It was explained that the Community Building Grants were to support  Voluntary and Community Sector organisations to meet their associated building related costs.

Members were reminded that, as part of the budget decision on the 25^th February 2016, it had been agreed to reduce the discretionary support available to voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations.  Following a review, by the VCS Buildings Support Group, it was proposed to merge the support available into one Community Building Grant.  The decision making process for that grant would be devolved to Area Committees in recognition of their local knowledge and  to increase fairness, transparency and accountability.

Included in Document “R” was a breakdown of the current levels of support each area received and the allocated amounts for each Area Committee for 2017-18 for the Community Building Grant. The report also revealed that a ring-fenced allocation would be made to organisations supporting district wide activity and community of interest groups.  That support would be allocated by Bradford West Area Committee as several district wide organisations were based in the city centre. 

Members questioned how the allocations reported in Document “R” had been calculated and why the Keighley Area allocation had been reduced by 50%.  It was felt this was a disproportionate reduction compared to other areas.  In response it was explained that officers in Neighbourhood Support based the allocations on the current provision whilst taking account of indicators of deprivation.

Members were advised that all recipients of current support and community development funding had been consulted.  Analysis of feedback would inform the implementation of the proposal and would be shared with the Grant Advisory Group’s (GAGs). 

Participation in the consultation process was queried and Members were advised that 120 people from a number of groups had been involved.  Some organisations were fearful of the new allocation process whilst others welcomed the formal transparent procedure involved in the single allocation process. 

It was felt that the allocations proposed for 2017/18 were not detailed sufficiently in Document “R” and that a more expansive business plan was required.  As a result of discussions around that issue it was confirmed that the allocations proposed were for current recipients of Council support and that community asset transfers were not included.  It was stressed that Members were being requested to support the application procedure and the GAGs would deal with the process of allocating funds.

The timeliness of the report, following a budget decision made in February 2016, was queried.  It was feared that groups would not have sufficient time to prepare their applications and were in a fragile position as their current funding would shortly be coming to an end.

The number of small CVS organisations occupying individual premises and the duplication of services was discussed.  It was suggested that, in times of limited resources, those organisations should be sharing resources and working together.  It was acknowledged that those decisions were not the remit of the VCS Buildings Review Group; however, Members stressed their support for such measures.  In response it was confirmed that CVS groups were encouraged to share premises and work together.

The limited timescale for organisations to understand the new allocation process and develop applications was raised as a matter of concern.

Following a detailed debate Members felt they had insufficient evidence to approve the recommendation in Document “R”.

The necessity for the application process to commence and for groups to understand their funding allocations was acknowledged.  In order for the process to commence in a timely fashion it was suggested that the item be deferred for consideration at the meeting in December 2016 and that the Strategic Director, Environment and Sport be requested to provide the following information for discussion at that time:-

·        An explanation of the decision making process adopted by the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, to allocate the Community Building Grants and confirmation that the process complied with the Council’s constitution.

·        Clarification of the formula used for the allocation of the funds between the five area committees and with particular regard to -

a)     the decision that Bradford West Area Committee be responsible for allocating funds to organisations supporting district wide activities and community of interest groups and

b)    the basis of the decision that Bradford South Area Committee would receive two thirds of the current year budget in 2017/18 whilst the allocation in the Keighley Area had been reduced by two thirds.

·        Future plans for CVS organisations to share premises and amalgamate.

·        A detailed definition of community related costs and the support available to CVS organisations. 

Resolved –

That the item be deferred for consideration at the meeting on 15 December 2016.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

Action: Strategic Director, Environment and Sport