Agenda item

The Area Council Manager introduced the item, referring to an exercise recently having been undertaken to map community action and services in the area against area priorities.

The exercise showed the significant amount of action in the area.  The paper circulated proposed the adoption of a ‘Dearne Development Fund’.  Two slightly different process were suggested, one for grants of £1-5,000 and another for £5-15,000, with a total allocation of £80,000.  The fund would build on the positive work already being undertaken and support existing groups and agencies to further contribute to delivering against the Area Council priorities.

It was suggested that the Area Council holds two rounds of the fund, with applications sought prior to November and January deadlines, in order to allocate funds before the end of the financial year.

It was proposed that a panel be established to assess grants, and make recommendations as to which should be approved, with final approval being delegated to the Service Director Stronger, Safer and Healthier Communities.

Members supported the establishment of the fund, acknowledging the ability to extend the good work already being undertaken in the area.  The composition of the panel was discussion, and it was agreed that this comprise of an Elected Member from each Ward, alongside a resident from each Ward and a member of the Area Team.

The meeting discussed the draft application guidance notes and application forms circulated.  It was noted that the guidance suggested that beneficiaries should primarily be from the Dearne North and South Wards.  It was noted that there may be small numbers from just outside the area benefitting, but that to monitor projects to ensure only residents in the two Wards in the area benefitted would be unduly bureaucratic.

RESOLVED:-

i) that the research and scoping exercise carried out by the Area Team be noted;

ii) that £80,000 be allocated to establish the ‘Dearne Development Fund’ with organisations able to apply for grants from £1-15,000 in the 2015/16 financial year;

iii) that the Dearne Development Fund guidance notes and application forms be approved;

iv) that a Dearne Development Fund panel be established to consider applications and make recommendations for approval with a membership comprising of one Elected Member and one resident from Dearne North, one elected Member and one resident from Dearne South, and a member of the Area Team;

v) that the Service Director, Stronger, Safer and Healthier Communtiies be authorised to approve grants of between £1,000 and £15,000, up to a combined total for £80,000 following consultation with the Dearne Development Fund panel.