The People & Places Portfolio Holder presented the report which sought approval of the recommendation to carry forward the projects and funding relating to 2020/21 grants that had been affected by Covid 19 and proposed changes to the Community Grant Scheme for 2022/23.

The Community Projects and Funding Officers explained that applications received had been appraised according to the Council’s Guidelines and those recommended for funding supported the aims of the scheme and represented value for money.  The events of recent months had prompted the recommended changes to the Community Grant Scheme for 2022/23, which would ensure that the Scheme continued to deliver its’ aim of benefiting the most vulnerable residents in Sevenoaks District.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That

a)      Grants, as set out in Appendix C to the report, be approved subject to the conditions set out below

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

ii)     that appropriate Safeguarding policies and arrangements are in place, where necessary;

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

iv)    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;

v)      that organisations funded either have or are working towards any quality accreditation.

b)      projects and funding relating to the 2020/21 grant scheme affected by Covid 19 be carried forward, namely the grants to West Kent Extra and Kenward Trust, for the reasons set out in paragraphs 7 & 14 of the report; and

c)   changes as set out below, to the 2022/23 grant scheme (with applications commencing September 2021), be approved

i)       Promote the smaller grants (up to £500) to support and encourage new, grass-root community initiatives.  Achieve this by streamlining the application process to make it more attractive and user friendly to applicants whilst still incorporating the eligibility, criteria and monitoring requirements of the Council. Communicate this approach earlier in the year to encourage applications.

ii)     Consult and work with other departments to gain an oversight of all grants and funding available to community and voluntary organisations.  Use this information to ensure cross-departmental checks and information shares are in place in relation to grants and funding being awarded and to greater understand and effectively manage arrangements and partnerships between the Council and the community and voluntary sector. Incorporate learning from this into the management of the Community Grants scheme and the application appraisal process to ensure that it continues to fund the most deserved, good value for money projects and to support the most vulnerable residents.