Agenda item

Emma Sheridan, Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance, introduced the report which presented the review of Community Grant awards made under the Community and Economic Development (CED) Grants programme from 2015-20 as well as setting out proposals regarding the delivery of a new £300,000 Covid19 Recovery Grant fund for businesses and community organisations.

The Vice-Chairman applauded the mention of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in the report and the work with the Business Associations. He felt impressed that £300,000 was available in the COVID-19 Recovery Grant Fund however sought reassurances from officers that it would be well spent. He expressed that he would like the money spent on businesses that are sustainable or bringing forward sustainable projects as he believed that there are tough times ahead and the Council would need to be hard-headed about the grants that it provides.

The Chairman expressed his desire to support as many organisations as possible as the Council cannot afford to prop-up organisations that would not be viable or sustainable in the long-term. He believed that COVID-19 will be around for a long time and that national government, local government, the voluntary sector, businesses, business associations, community organisations, the NHS and many other organisations will have to pull together, in partnership, to recover as much as possible.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance noted that any SLA would be reviewed by the Cabinet Grants Panel who can refer it to Cabinet for their review and agreement. She also noted that the report requested the agreement that the existing SLAs be extended for a year so that the review is carried out alongside the other SLAs before being referred to Cabinet. In response to the Vice-Chairman’s request for reassurance, she confirmed that there is a robust criteria and application process overseen by both Community Services and the Economic Development Team; the assessment will ensure that core costs are not funded and instead provide for their response to COVID-19 or provide a new innovation or service in a post COVID-19 world.

The Chairman noted that SLAs are discussed in Section 6 of the report.

The Vice-Chairman sought clarification on how the figures for the respective grants were arrived at. He expressed his delight that the Council will be launching a ‘Shop Local’ campaign however with Brexit and the economic challenges of the pandemic expected he wished for further marketing on shopping British. He noted Paragraph 5.1.1 on P.14 which referred to town-based events however he presumed the reference to imply community-based events so as not to preclude the parishes and larger villages.

The Chairman noted the that the previous contracts with Age UK were arranged by West Sussex County Council. He also noted the benefits from buying British and buying local.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance confirmed that the Council does co-commission work with West Sussex County Council. She added that Age UK East Grinstead only deals with the north whereas the others work for the entire district so requires more funding and that inflation is the cause for the pennies that are added on. She noted that the reference should indeed refer to community-based events.

The Member welcomed the fund and believed it was brilliant that the Council was able to put the money aside for the business community. He shared the desire to ensure that the money was provided to the right businesses. He noted the criteria to be able to apply for a grant however he enquired whether it would include expanding the type of services that they offer which wouldn’t have otherwise been available before COVID-19. He also noted that the Microbusiness Grants Scheme will be coming back and sought clarification on the balance of where businesses should apply for one or for the other.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance outlined that whilst the offer of the grants is similar it is actually different and applying for one grant shouldn’t preclude the other, as they have different objectives. Businesses and organisations will be asked what other grant funding they have accessed so the Council can take a fair view and prioritise any other businesses that haven’t been able to access as much funding. She noted that the primary aim of the COVID-19 Recovery Grant Fund is reskilling to ensure the retention or creation of local jobs whereas the Microbusiness Grants Scheme would be to get the businesses back to what they were doing or revising themselves in a ‘post-covid world’.

The Member believed it would be sensible if there was flexibility built into the system so enquired whether an increase of funding could occur should the need arise.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance stated that £38,908 is left in the budget however the £300,000 is being used to top the fund up. She added that it is for Members of the Panel to discuss the ongoing annual budgeting process; especially important given the difficult financial environment the Council is facing.

The Chairman noted that there is a mechanism for moving money around which has been used more frequently recently. He found Figure 1, 2 and 3 in the report very interesting, as well as the funding that was contributed to children and young people to help older people celebrate Silver Sunday.

The Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance felt pleased that there was an even distribution of funds in the analysis. She highlighted a gap in the number of BME organisations which the Council has identified and would like to provide greater support for them to apply for grants.

The Chairman explained that as a frequent user of the NHS he comes into contact with a lot of good BME and LGBT groups employed by them so expressed his full support for the proposal and looked forward to working with MSVA to progress the work.

The Vice-Chairman endorsed the comments from the Chairman and highlighted the need to ensure existing organisations are reaching out to the BME communities and supporting them which can be more effective than just the Council doing so.

Members were supportive of recommendations; 2.1 and 2.2.

[Cllr Belsey was removed from the meeting and placed into the ‘Waiting Room’ at 4:38pm]

Members were supportive of recommendation 2.3.

[Cllr Belsey returned to the meeting at 4:39pm]

RESOLVED

The Cabinet Grants Panel:

1. Approved the criteria for the new 2020-21 COVID19 Recovery Grant Fund.

2. Approved the approach for the continued delivery of the Community and Economic Development Grants including the proposed amends to funding criteria.

3. Endorsed the approach to future Service Level agreements (SLAs) as outlined and: