Issue - meetings

To consider the interim head of corporate services’ report. 

Cabinet considered the interim head of corporate services’ report, which sought approval to revise the capital grants policy, adopting a thematic
approach to awarding grants to improve outcomes for communities. 

The report set out four options:

A.    Move to a thematic focus for the existing capital grant scheme that better supports communities’ needs 

B.    Keep existing capital grant scheme policy, including minor alternations 

C.   Establish a new capital grant scheme, prioritising carbon reduction projects 

D.   Reduce budget or withdraw funding for a capital grants scheme 

Cabinet considered that the capital grants scheme was important and should be retained.  Cabinet preferred option A, which refocused the current scheme by delivering the promises made in the Corporate Plan 2020 to 2024, supporting all the outward facing themes to protect and restore our natural world, tackle the climate emergency, improve economic and community well-being, and provide homes and infrastructure that met local needs.  It would also offer greater support to projects aimed at improving community well-being and resilience to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as providing new activities or facilities.  

RESOLVED: to

(a)       approve changes to the revised capital grants policy, adopting a thematic approach to improve outcomes for communities, as attached at appendix one to the interim head of corporate services’ report to Cabinet on 10 June 2021; and

(b)       authorise the interim head of corporate services, in consultation with the Cabinet member for community wellbeing, to make amendments to the current scoring criteria.