Decision details

On 29 July 2022 Grants Advisory Committee met to consider amendments to the Service Support Grant 2023-26, proposed as follows:

1.     A recommendation of an adjustment to the funds available that reflects average inflation rates over the last five years. This results in an increase in funds available from £151,610 to £167,400.

2.     To revise the number of themes within the scheme from eight to six with indicative funding amounts as per the list below:

Mental Health and Wellbeing         £24,000       

Advice Services                  £100,000

Independent Living               £22,000

Support for the VCS             £11,400

Arts, Culture and Heritage       £10,000

                                      Total £167,400

3.     That the guidance notes and criteria have been updated to reflect these thematic changes, the key updates to note are:

a.     Mental Health and Wellbeing - applications from children and young people’s organisations are welcome, based on outcomes and learning from the Children & Young People’s grant funding pilot that is running from January-December 2022.

b.     Independent Living – applications are welcome from those whose objective it is to promote the independence, and reduce the isolation, of the District’s vulnerable residents. This theme includes community transport.

c.     Arts, Culture and Heritage is a new theme.

d.     A new requirement that all funded organisations endeavour to join Cambridgeshire Council for Voluntary Service – a support organisation for the VCS in Cambridgeshire.

To accept the recommendations of the Grants Advisory Committee (see above).

The report and proposed revisions were considered in detail by the Grants Advisory Committee and there is sufficient budget available.

The Committee was asked to consider the options below and then make recommendations to the lead member for finance accordingly.

Option 1. Note the contents of the paper and make a recommendation to the Lead Member for Finance to agree the proposed changes to the SSG scheme as presented; or

Option 2. Note the contents of the paper and make a recommendation/s to the Lead Member for Finance to agree the changes with revisions, giving details.

The Committee recommended Option 1.