Purpose

This decision is made under the Councillor Community Grant Fund framework, which comprises two funding streams: Divisional Grants (£210,000) and the Strategic Fund (£290,000). The fund enables county councillors to support local community organisations, voluntary groups and grassroots initiatives that deliver against council plan priorities and benefit residents across Lincolnshire. This report provides the record of Strategic Fund applications considered under the scheme and records the Senior Responsible Officer's decisions on the applications listed in Appendix A. All eligibility and due diligence checks have been completed in line with the scheme guidance. This includes checks on applicant eligibility, supporting evidence, fund criteria, councillor sponsorship, declarations of interest, grant conditions, payment requirements and monitoring arrangements. The Senior Responsible Officer is satisfied that the grants recommended for approval in Appendix A meet the requirements of the scheme. Applications not approved, if any, are also recorded in Appendix A with the reasons for those decisions.

No payment will be made until all grant award documentation, including the Grant Funding Agreement, has been completed and the required payment checks have been carried out. All awards will be published on the council’s website and monitored against the agreed proposal.

Decision

To approve the Strategic Fund grant decisions listed in Appendix A under the Councillor Community Grant Fund for the applications made before 31 July 2026. Approved applications may proceed to grant award and payment, subject to completion of all required documentation and payment checks, including a signed Grant Funding Agreement. Rejected, deferred and withdrawn applications are recorded in Appendix A with the relevant reason or status.

Alternative options considered

1. Do nothing / do not approve the grants This was rejected because grant decisions need to be formally recorded before grant award arrangements and payment can proceed. 2. Approve grants on an individual ad hoc basis only This was rejected because a monthly Statement of Decision provides a clearer audit trail, supports consistency and enables a consolidated schedule of approved and rejected grants. 3. Delay all grant decisions until year-end This was rejected to ensure Strategic Fund projects are assessed through decision rounds as defined in the Councillor Community Grant Fund Guidance and criteria document.