Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Cabinet revoked the decision to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Community First East Hampshire for 2026/27 and approved the reallocation of the budget provision to support an alternative delivery model for ABCD.
summary: The decision at stake is the reallocation of funding for Community Services to support the Council's Asset Based Community Development programme.
topline: The Cabinet has decided to reallocate funding for Community Services to support the Council's Asset Based Community Development programme.
reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves reallocating funding from an existing service provider to a new delivery model, potentially impacting stakeholders who were benefiting from the previous arrangement.
affected_stakeholders: ["Community First East Hampshire", "Council's Asset Based Community Development programme participants", "Community members and voluntary organizations"]
contentiousness_score: 6
political_party_relevance: There are no explicit mentions of political parties in the decision.
URL: https://easthants.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=449
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Outcome:
Is Key Decision?: Yes
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose: To consider the recommendations of the report, in relation to Community Services Funding.
Content: To consider the recommendations of the report, in relation to Community Services Funding. It was RESOLVED that the Cabinet: a) Revoked the decision made on 12 March 2026 to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Community First East Hampshire for 2026/27 b) Approved the reallocation of the £60,000 budget provision to support an alternative delivery model to progress the Councils work on ABCD. c) Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Development and Engagement and the Section 151 Officer, to determine and implement the most appropriate use of the funding to support community capacity building and community resilience. Reasons for the Decision To seek the Cabinet approval to revise the funding arrangements approved for Community First East Hampshire and reallocate the funding to support the Council's Asset Based Community Development programme. Alternative Options Considered Option A - Continue funding Community First This option would maintain continuity of the existing arrangement and retain access to specialist VCSE support services. However, officers do not consider that continuation of the current funding arrangement provides the strongest alignment with the Council's strategic priorities or the best use of the available funding. Option B - Withdraw funding with no replacement This option would reduce expenditure but would remove support currently available to communities and voluntary organisations. Officers do not consider this option consistent with the Council's commitment to supporting thriving communities. Option C - Reallocate funding to community capacity building activity (Preferred Option) This option would enable the Council to invest directly in activity that supports its ABCD programme and wider transformation agenda. Funding could be used flexibly to support community asset mapping, community leadership, community builder approaches and other community capacity building activity. Where specialist support is required, the Council could commission external organisations, including Community First, to provide specific pieces of work. Officers considered this option provided the greatest alignment with the Council's strategic priorities and would offer the best opportunity to test new approaches to supporting communities ahead of Local Government Reorganisation.
Date of Decision: July 9, 2026