URL: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=462

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities presented the item, the purpose of which was to provide an update on the progress of the Westhive scheme to date and to set out the options for future delivery.   In her presentation Councillor Crouch made the following points:   The report presented options for the future delivery of the Westhive scheme, however consideration of these options was intended to be reported to the Executive in December. Westhive was launched in October 2023. There had been four rounds of funding with twenty-eight projects that had successfully reached their project funding targets. Twelve of the projects had benefitted children and young people which was in accordance with Council priorities. The total amount of funding secured to date using the platform was £948,172, of which the Council and Community Infrastructure Fund investment (CIF) combined had contributed £446,433. The platform had attracted a diverse range of groups and included those groups that may not ordinarily engage in Council schemes. Projects were reviewed and scored by Officers, before being considered by a panel that included the Leader of the Council, Chief Executive, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities and other Executive Members. Award decisions were delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council. The Council had a full-time Community Funding Officer the work of whom had been invaluable. Spacehive were the current host for the platform, the three-year contract with Spacehive was due to end 30 April 2026. The contract with Spacehive for hosting the platform was £30,000 annually.   The Officer responsible for the report was then invited to comment by Councillor Andy Graham. The Officer advised that round five of funding had recently been approved and included nine projects with a total of £120k granted in funding from the two funds. The Officer clarified that the report contained recommendations for budget setting for Westhive in addition to recommendations that concerned the start of work on future hosting. It was intended that a further report would be brought to the Executive in December to consider in full the options for future hosting for the scheme.   A Member highlighted that it was important to differentiate between Westhive and the UK Share Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund which also both issued funding through the platform but were not within the funding being considered at the meeting. It was stated that the use of the platform allowed the UK Share Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund to have increased transparency, and this was the reason for the use of the mechanism.   Councillor Crouch proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.   Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council seconded the proposal   This was voted on and approved unanimously.   RESOLVED That the Executive: Considered as part of the 2026/2027 budget setting process, the inclusion of a budget for ‘one off’ community grant funding, at £120k per year for a three year period from 2026-2029. Requested officers consider all feedback and platform hosting options, reporting back to Executive in December 2025. Delegated the responsibility of working through the procurement of a new multi-year contract to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance and the Executive Member for Stronger Healthy Communities.

Date of Decision: November 13, 2025