Agenda item

It was noted that on 25 November 2022 the Grants Advisory Committee met to examine the ‘Grants to the Voluntary Sector – Service Support Grants: 6-month progress report’.

Six-monthly reports had been requested from organisations in receipt of sums greater than £10,000 per annum unless specifically requested by the Council.

Reports were received from Care Network Cambridgeshire and Citizens Advice for the first two quarters of the previously agreed extension year (2022-23) for funding agreements for 2019-2022. It was noted that both organisations were on track to deliver the agreed outputs on time and to budget, achieving the objectives of individual grant agreements. A further report from CCVS, had not been received but was noted that it would be provided informally to members.

Another report had been received from Disability Cambridgeshire who received £5,000 from South Cambridgeshire District Council for the 2022-23 financial year, noting, within the report, a request had been made to transfer the remaining unspent funds (£2,500), to Disability Huntingdonshire (DISH) who also received funding from South Cambridgeshire District Council. DISH would be able to use the funding to extend their support, advice and advocacy service to clients in South Cambridgeshire in the remaining months of the 2022-23 period.

It was noted that the Grants Advisory Committee had requested the £2,500 of unspent funds from Disability Cambridgeshire grant was returned to South Cambridgeshire District Council. The funding would then be paid to DISH Huntingdonshire if further assurance could be provided that they had the capacity to take on the extra work and that the funding would support South Cambridgeshire residents.

It was emphasised that all organisations (except Disability Cambridgeshire) that were in receipt of funding were on track to deliver the agreed outputs on time and to budget, achieving the objectives of individual grant agreements.

It was noted that funding was paid annually in April for all recipients expect Citizens Advice and Care Network due to the large amounts granted, fundings were split in to two instalments paid in April and October.

It was noted, Care Network were awarded £18,500 under the Combined Community Transport and Independent Living theme, noting that funding was provided for the delivery, development and promotion of Community Transport Services for South Cambridgeshire and residents.

The Specific Measures were noted:

· To deliver a community car schemes sustainability project via community-based participatory research activity.

· To develop an area-based initiative and collaborative approach to community transport via Care Network Transport membership scheme.

 · To raise awareness of Care Network and other local services and connections to all community car schemes in South Cambridgeshire to enable them to identify and signpost lonely service users to Care Network .

· To use social network theory to increase awareness of community car schemes.

· To redesign the annual community car schemes survey.

· To provide 1-1 support for community car schemes as required.

· To provide six networking and training events per year for community car schemes.

The specific measures for Care Network Independent Living/Support for Parishes and Communities were noted:

·To offer support to established community groups as well as new, responsive, informal community groups, and in so doing, provide information and support to 100 South Cambridgeshire residents/year on how to increase their community involvement. (186 contacts made).

·To trial ways of connecting self-isolating and / or vulnerable residents and carers with community groups and activities via a range of different communication methods. (Face to face and access to Zoom).

·To set up 6 intergenerational befriending and good neighbour projects, (2 formally structured and 4 informally structured) per year.

·To offer general support and information regarding formal and informal volunteering to help combat social isolation and loneliness to all parish councils within South Cambridgeshire. (All parishes contacted).

·To develop a profile of informal group activity across South Cambridgeshire.

· To support communities with a consistent presence for community development activity across the district.

It was noted that, Care Network’s Project Catalyst supported people who may have been shielding or those who were anxious about going back out in the community and that it would help to boost confidence and independence. It would provide free, short-term support for people not already receiving similar support elsewhere and not living with more complex and enduring mental ill health. Project Catalyst volunteers could accompany individuals to go out for a walk, take their first trip to the local shops, get back to a group or social activity or to take their first steps in attending a group. It would also include the Check-in-and-Chat Service.

It was noted that Citizens Advice were awarded £85,000 under the Advice Services theme funding to provide free, confidential and impartial advice to South Cambridgeshire residents. Outcomes were requested and provided.

It was highlighted that the Bus pass system required applicants to have an email address which made it impossible for those who do not have access to the internet. It was expressed the application process should be addressed to make it viable for people to apply.

There was a request for an outreach system provided by Citizens Advice to make it easier for people to access the service.