Meeting documents

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 February, 2019, copy attached as an appendix.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of 12 February, 2019, be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of 12 February, 2019, be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Mordue

Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

To consider the attached report.

Contact Officer:  Jan Roffe (01296) 585186

(a)          Decision(s)

That approval be given to an increase in the maximum New Homes Bonus micro grant from £1,000 to £2,000.

(b)          Reason(s) for Decision(s)

To continue to provide financial assistance to smaller Parishes who had been unable to benefit from the larger project grants and to voluntary/community sector organisations.

(c)          Alternative Options Considered

To retain the current grant level, but members felt that an increase could be justified.

(d)          Relevant Scrutiny Committee

Finance and Services.

(e)          Conflicts of Interest / Dispensation(s)

            None.

Members recalled that in June, 2017, approval had been given to the introduction of a micro grant scheme to run alongside the already established New Homes Bonus (NHB) project grants scheme.  The micro grant scheme helped to mitigate the loss of the Aylesbury Vale Community Chest funding and also increase access to the NHB initiative to all Parishes, not just those larger Parishes taking growth.  Micro grants also enabled voluntary and community organisations to apply for funding where the relevant Parish supported the proposal.  Up to £1,000 per project was currently available for a variety of projects, including village hall refurbishment and the purchase of new equipment.

The applications were assessed by the Council’s Grants Officer and the level of funding was determined by a scoring system.  The Grants Officer’s recommendations were sent to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and a nominated representative from the Aylesbury Vale Association of Local Councils for confirmation.  The budget for the micro grants scheme was met from the existing 20% NHB allocation set aside for Town and Parish Councils, which equated to £80,000 pa in 2017/18 and 2018/19.

Cabinet received a schedule detailing the 60 grants made so far via the scheme.  Monitoring feedback had demonstrated that the funding was appreciated by the smaller Parishes and voluntary/community associations.  The number of applications received was comparable to those received under the Community Chest scheme.  The micro grants scheme was however under-subscribed and would be topped back up to £80,000 with effect from 1 April, 2019.  It was suggested and agreed by Cabinet that the maximum grant should be increased from £1,000 to up to £2000 and accordingly it was,

RESOLVED –

That approval be given to an increase in the maximum New Homes Bonus micro grant from £1,000 to up to £,2000.