Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2015 as a correct record.

The Leader signed, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2015.

The Leader agreed that the following grants be awarded:

Community Transport

            Independent Living

B          The unallocated funds of £4,000 per annum be redirected to the Fit to Learn theme.

            Fit to Learn

The Leader refused grant applications from Cambridge Dial-a-Ride (Community Transport) and

The Leader considered a report asking him to determine further applications for three year programmes submitted by the community and voluntary sector, seeking grants from the Service Support Grant fund for 2016-17 to 2018-19.

The Leader said that all grant applications would have to be considered in the context of uncertainty over budget availability during the next few years. Councillor Lynda Harford suggested that the structure of the Council’s grant award system allowed the Council some room for manoeuvre by not guaranteeing that payment would be forthcoming in Years 2 and 3.

Gavin Clayton, Executive Director with Arts and Minds, attended the meeting, and explained to what extent the Group was currently benefitting residents from South Cambridgeshire. While the Leader said that he was not convinced that financial support was justified in this case, he listened with interest to comments from those present. In particular, Councillor Lynda Harford said that South Cambridgeshire District Council had always been at the forefront of those organisations involved in mental health issues. She urged the Leader to support the Arts and Minds’ grant application.

In connection with DISH, the Development Officer explained to the Leader the way in which that organisation worked alongside Citizens Advice Bureaux. The principle difference though was that DISH conducted home visits, unlike CABs. As such, it could sometimes identify issues not recognised by friends and family. Councillor Bridget Smith said that DISH made a huge difference to those people for whom CABs were inaccessible. Councillor Bunty Waters said that the Council should publicise its recognition of, and support for, organisations such as DISH.

The Leader asked officers to review how grants should be considered in future. He expressed a preference for considering each grant application on its merits rather than as part of a specific category.

The Leader resolved

1.    that the following grants be awarded:

Community Transport

            Independent Living

            Fit to Learn

2.    That the grant applications from Cambridge Dial-a-Ride (Community Transport) be refused; and

3.    That the unallocated funds of £4,000 per annum be redirected to the Fit to Learn theme.

The Leader is invited to appoint a councillor onto the Greater Cambridge City Deal Assembly following the appointment of Councillor Francis Burkitt to Cabinet, as Executive Councillors cannot serve on the Assembly.

The Leader appointed Councillor Kevin Cuffleyto the Greater Cambridge City Deal Joint Assembly.

As a result of Councillor Francis Burkitt’s recent appointment to the Council’s Cabinet, the Leader was asked to make a replacement appointment to the Greater Cambridge City Deal Joint Assembly.

Councillor Kevin Cuffley agreed to put his name forward. There were no other nominations. Those present discussed briefly the structure of the City Deal.

The Leader appointed Councillor Kevin Cuffley to the Greater Cambridge City Deal Joint Assembly.

Members are asked to bring their diaries.

The next Leader’s Portfolio meeting would take place on Monday 25 April 2016, starting at 1.00pm.