Decision details

Mr Hyland explained there are two possible options for funding priorities both based on ‘Economy’, for the coming year.  The first option (in the event of continued funding for ‘Enabling Grants’) would support projects bringing inward investment, start-up projects and SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) to implement growth requiring relocation/expansion to larger premises or occupation of long-term vacant premises.  The second option (in the event that ‘Enabling Grants’ funding is discontinued) would support start-up businesses, existing businesses to grow, and ‘Improving Living Places and Spaces’ with regards to enhancing publicly owned space/built assets and ‘Targeted Projects’ where the primary benefit is to primary benefit is to residents in greatest need.  The Panel considered going to Cabinet with two options and if Cabinet could agree to delegate the decision to the Panel?  Mrs Lintil also explained that she had received an email from Sarah Peyman (Divisional Manager for Culture) suggesting the title of ‘Improving Living Places and Spaces’ was misleading and a discussion took place regarding the removal of the word ‘Living’. 

A further wording change was considered with regards to what the Council will not fund.  ‘Activities where Central Government, The health Authority or County Council are the most appropriate funding agency’, was discussed by the Panel and whether ‘most appropriate’ should be removed and replaced with ‘Statutory’.

The Panel agreed to the two wording changes cited above, removal of the word ‘Living’ and removing ‘most appropriate’ and replacing with ‘statutory’.

RECOMMENDED TO THE CABINET

That the priorities and principles for funding 2019/20 be approved subject to the priority area ‘Improving Living Places and Spaces’ being replaced with ‘Improving Places and Spaces’.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PANEL:

That the eligibility documentation for grants be approved for circulation from April 2019 subject to the following amendment:

‘Activities where Central Government, the Health Authority or County Council are the most appropriate funding agency (including projects within the District Council’s Infrastructure Business Plan that are identified to be funded through other sources)’ is replaced with ‘Activities where Central Government, the Health Authority or County Council are the statutory funding agency (including projects within the District Council’s Infrastructure Business Plan that are identified to be funded through other sources)’.