Decision

The Cabinet has decided to launch a 50th Anniversary Community Grant Scheme with a budget of £50,000.

Analysis

outcome: The Cabinet approved the launch of the grant scheme and endorsed the grant guidelines, criteria, and application process.

summary: The decision at stake is the launch of a 50th Anniversary Community Grant Scheme with a budget of £50,000.

topline: The Cabinet has decided to launch a 50th Anniversary Community Grant Scheme with a budget of £50,000.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves allocating public funds to community initiatives without a firm commitment for future funding.

affected_stakeholders: ["Local smaller organisations", "Charities", "Residents of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council"]

contentiousness_score: 5

political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://democracy.tmbc.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1745

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: Consideration was given to a proposed 50th Anniversary Community Grant Scheme as detailed in the report of the Cabinet Member for Community Services and the Chief Executive.   The grant guidelines, criteria and application process were set out in Annexes 1 and 2.   Over recent years the Borough Council had delivered two Community Development Grant Schemes using income provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which had been oversubscribed.  This illustrated a local need for funding of smaller organisations and charities to enable them to deliver projects and support services that helped residents.   At the present time, there was no firm commitment for any future round of UKSP funding for 2025/26 or beyond.  However, the Borough Council had agreed a sum of £87,000 to be allocated to support a one-off 50-year anniversary grant scheme.  It was recommended that £50,000 be allocated to the Anniversary Grant Scheme with a further £37,000 ringfenced to support further community initiatives in 2025/26, potentially including phase 2 of the borough wide Community Enforcement Team pilot.   Cabinet had due regard to the financial and value for money considerations and the legal implications and welcomed the proposal for a one-off grant to coincide with the 50th anniversary year of the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.   RESOLVED:  That   (1)             a 50th Anniversary Community Grant Scheme be launched with a budget of £50,000 with effect from 2 January 2025;   (2)             the Grant guidelines, criteria and application process, as set out in Annexes 1 and 2 be endorsed; and   (3)             £37,000 be ringfenced to support further community initiatives in 2025/26, including potentially phase 2 of the borough wide Community Enforcement Team Pilot. 

Date of Decision: December 10, 2024