Issue details

To consider applications received for Community Chest funding.  These applications were due to be considered at the Finance and Staffing Portfolio holder meeting on the 19 January 2018.  The meeting was cancelled and therefore the applications were considered outside of the meeting by the Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder.

The Community Chest is grant funding available to voluntary and community sector groups, charities, parish councils and public sector bodies wishing to further improve quality of life in South Cambridgeshire. Applicants may apply for up to £1,000 for:

·          Improvements to community facilities (i.e. village halls / pavilions / play areas)

·          Repairs to historic buildings / monuments / memorials

·          Tree and hedge planting

·          Equipment / capital purchase

·          Materials

·          Start-up costs (may include training of staff / volunteers, hall hire and other revenue costs).

The guidance notes and eligibility criteria for 2017/18 can be found at https://www.scambs.gov.uk/communitychest

1.            The amount of funding made available in the Community Chest in 2017/18 was £55,000. At the Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder meeting on the 22 August and additional £30,000 was allocated to the fund, following the withdrawal of funding from an expired capital grant. At the Finance & Staffing Portfolio Holder meeting on the 19 December an additional £4,000 was allocated to the fund, following the return of funding from Cambourne Church/Children’s Centre. This brings the total for 2017/18 to £89,000. The funding is allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

There were 3 applications for funding to be considered. The applications were received between 1 December 2017 and 31 December 2017.

In addition there was one application received from outside the area.  This was not  included for consideration.

The total funding requested equals £2,860.00 The amount of funding remaining for allocation is £5,586.12.

There was an application relating to Comberton for £1,000 and previous awards for Comberton have been made for £2,452.72.  The guidance indicates that up to a maximum of £3,000 per parish can be funded in any financial year to ensure good geographical coverage across the district.

The Portfolio Holder makes all decisions regarding grant funding unless there is a conflict of interest.  On 17 July 2014 the Leader agreed to make decisions on future Community Chest applications at Portfolio Holder meetings.  The responsibility for grants was transferred to the Finance and Staffing Portfolio Holder in May 2016.