The Portfolio Holder for Community Wellbeing introduced a report setting out information about the Community Grant Scheme and summarising applications received by the Council from voluntary organisations for funding during 2013/14.  The Council’s Community Grant Scheme supported voluntary organisations that, through their work, contributed to the priorities set out in the Sustainable Community Action Plan 2010-13.    Details of the appraisal process were outlined in the report.

Members noted that a full Equality Impact Assessment had been undertaken and was summarised in the report.

The Head of Community Development reported that the grant scheme had been publicised widely across the District within the voluntary sector, through town and parish councils, libraries and in the press in September 2012.  The closing date was 16^th November 2012.  The total budget available for distribution in 2013/14 was £153,331, including £98,540 for the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux in the District, leaving £54,790 to be distributed between applicants. Funding for the Citizens’ Advice Bureaux was subject to an existing three year Service Level Agreement (SLA), which ended in March 2015.

The Chairman noted that the reported demonstrated that the District Council supported a number of different organisations across the District.  Grants to some outside organisations were given in order to support services that the District Council may otherwise have to provide, for example the Citizens Advice Bureaux and West Kent Mediation.  The Chairman requested that in June 2013 a further report be bought to the Cabinet highlighting the work that voluntary organisations provide on behalf of the Council.

Resolved: That the Grants, set out in Appendix C of the report, be approved subject to the following conditions:

(i)        that performance indicators as set out in the application forms are adhered to and monitored;

(ii)      that appropriate recognition of this Council’s funding contribution is made in all their publicity; and

(iii)  where services are provided over a wider area than the District boundaries, organisations will be required to hold grant aid from this Council in a restricted fund for the benefit of Sevenoaks District residents.

(Councillor Mrs Davison was not present for consideration of this item)