Issue - meetings

To recommend to Cabinet the allocation of UKSPF-funded Communities Grants for delivery of fifteen individually nominated projects from April 2024 to March 2025, to a total value of £279,815.  The report further recommends an addendum to the UKSPF Year 3 funding programme agreed by Cabinet in February 2024 to raise the total size of the fund to £279,815 and insert a further action to ensure Beeston Film Festival is supported through a separate part of the plan.       

Cabinet was informed that the Council’s UKSPF Cabinet Panel approved an allocation of £240,000 to Communities Grants for 2024/5 in November 2023. The grant programme was launched on 23 November 2023, closing to applications on 22 January 2024. A total of 45 applications were received and all were assessed, though four were not eligible.

RESOLVED that:

1.          The Cabinet increase the size of the Community Grants Fund from    £240,000 to £279,815;         

2.          UKSPF-funded Communities Grants for 2024/5 are awarded to the organisations listed as ‘A’ in section 3.

3.          In the case that any of these organisations is unable to take forward their proposed project, funds to be reallocated to a project(s) from the UKSPF Communities Grants reserve list.

4.          That an addendum be made to the Year 3 Programme to incorporate £9,000 for Beeston Film Festival in 2024/2025.

Reason

The proposed projects are consistent with the requirements of the UKSPF programme, and it will be necessary for the Council to comply with the funding agreements in respect of the programme.  Where necessary the funding to be provided to the projects referred to in the report will need comply with the requirements of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Additionally, the power to award grants to organisations comes from Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011 which is the general power of competence and the Council must comply with its public law duties.