Agenda and minutes

Councillor Randle advised that although she had been appointed to the GL Communities Group she had not had any contact from the group.

Councillors Brown, Dee and Norman declared personal interests as members of the Grants and Community Services Forum.

To consider a Call-In of the Cabinet decision of 9 March 2016 made in respect of Voluntary and Community Sector funding 2014-16 and proposals for 2016-17.

The following documents have been marked TO FOLLOW:-

·       Call-in request

·       Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, approved by Cabinet on 9 March 2016.

·       Relevant minute of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 March 2016

·       Statement of the first-named Member on the call-in request

·       Statement of the decision-taker

·       Procedure Note for dealing with this matter

The Chair invited Councillor Haigh as first named Member on the Call In  request to explain the reasons for calling in the decision of Cabinet made on 9 March 2016 in respect of Voluntary and Community Sector Funding 2014-16 and proposals for 2016-17.

Reasons for Call In

Councillor Haigh referred to her statement in the addendum pack (Document 1).

She noted that she first saw the proposals when the papers were published for the Cabinet meeting on 9 March 2016.

The decision maker had not consulted the Grants and Community Services Forum which was the body set up by Council to advise the Cabinet Member.

She expressed her concerns that grants made through the Members’ Allocation should be in line with Council priorities and the ‘top slicing’ of the budget to fund Community Builders had not been properly explored or explained.

She was concerned on the impact of the cap on grants which would mean that larger groups would have to deal with a number of Members and noted in particular the impact on organisations such as St James City Farm; GAVCA and Gymnation/Friendship Café.

She believed there would be much detriment to groups across the City and noted that the proposals would result in funding being moved from areas of high deprivation to less deprived areas.

She stated that the report had not taken into account any impact on equalities issues which these grants were often used to address.

She believed that Member Allocations would increase the burden on Councillors. Members often like to wait before reaching a decision which could create uncertainty and some groups could cease to exist. She also believed that Member Allocations may not be consistent.

In summary, she stated that the Call In had been made because a People Impact assessment had not been completed and the Grants and Community Services Forum had not been consulted.

Councillor Pullen, who had also signed the Call In request, stated that under the current system, Officers assessed applications against Council priorities and ensured that funding was properly used and addressed equalities, fairness and transparency. He believed that these issues could not be guaranteed through the Members’ Allocation Scheme and the previous arrangements had ensured accountability, and protected the good name of the Council.

The Chair invited to Councillors to ask questions on matters of clarification.

Councillor Randle asked if the Councillor Haigh believed that the Matson Centre received too much funding. Councillor Haigh noted that the centre had received large grants for two years but the proposals would mean that the work of the Centre would need to be funded by other means or cease.

Councillor Gravells asked if Councillor Pullen was implying that Members were incapable of deciding how to allocate the funding. Councillor Pullen stated that under the present system officers were able to ensure fairness and transparency.

Councillor Haigh believed that it was difficult to tell how Members’ Allocations had been used or how they aligned with Council priorities from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.