Purpose

To approve and adopt the Grant Management Policy.

Decision

The purpose of this item was to introduce anew Grant Management Policy for approval and adoption.

Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report, which proposed a new Grants Management Policy to establish an overarching framework for the administration and management of grant funding.

The Policy was intended to provide employees with clear guidance on the Council’s governance arrangements and approach to the administration and delivery of grant funding for residents and businesses, including locally agreed community grants, central government funding and emergency funding. It aimed to maximise outcomes, minimise risk and ensure funding delivered the greatest possible benefit to local communities.

Cabinet noted that the Policy established clear roles and responsibilities, eligibility criteria, funding agreements, assessment and award processes, conflict of interest arrangements and segregation of duties, alongside appropriate due diligence and verification checks. It also set out processes for securing external funding, developing and launching grant schemes and distributing grant funding.

Cabinet further noted that the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit’s Grants Toolkit would support implementation of the Policy by setting out minimum verification and due diligence requirements to mitigate fraud and error and ensure funding was distributed appropriately and spent lawfully.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Patrick Coleman,  seconded by Councillor Tristan Wilkinson and put to the vote.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

1. Approve and adopt the Grant Management Policy attached to this report.
2. Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer to approve future minor amendments to the Policy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Assistant Director Counter Fraud and Legal Services. 

Voting record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.