Issue details

Grants Advisory Committee (GAC) met on the Friday 28 May 2021 to recommend to the Lead Cabinet Member for Finance the criteria and evaluation methodology for applicants of the one-off Dual Use Leisure Facility Grant Funding.  A sum of £50,000 had been allocated by the Council for Health and Wellbeing from within the Central Government funding for Local Authorities with the purpose of mitigating the impacts of Covid-19.

Following discussion between Officers and Lead Members it had been proposed that the most effective use of this funding would be to help improve the leisure facility offer with the aim of encouraging the return of existing facility members and attract new membership, thereby promoting exercise and health and wellbeing post-Covid. These leisure centres have largely remained closed for the past year.

It is anticipated that a small investment into the décor and the introduction of updated equipment and / or facility hire will help to encourage the return of members, provide an attractive offer for new members and help breathe new life into these facilities.

It was recommended that the grants be assessed by officers and signed off by the Lead Member for Finance. There are only 11 dual use centres eligible for this scheme and therefore there is a limited group of potential applicants by comparison with other schemes run by the Council, such as the Community Chest. The grant scheme provides very tight criteria and assessment methodology for a technical assessment within tight time frames working within the school year.