Content

 

 

42.1

The Committee considered a
report of the Community Services Manager on the funding allocated
to the North Local Area Committee and the proposals for its
allocation and expenditure for 2024/25 in line with the priorities
of the North Local Area Committee, namely:
 
·  
Improving local transport through practical Highways
improvements and promoting better public transport?;
 
·  
Improving community safety; and
 
·  
Improving community life.

 

 

42.2

The Community Services Manager
confirmed the following expenditure since the North Local Area
Committee of 27 February 2025, full details of which were contained
within the ‘North Local Area Committee Budget 2024/25 and
2025/26’:

 

 

 

Great North Fund

£14,700

Cost of Living Fund

£2,575

Delegated powers
expenditure

£4,600

Administration costs/operations
budget

£193

 

Total

£22,068

 

 

42.3

RESOLVED:
That the North Local Area Committee:
 

a)   
notes the expenditure of the 2024/25 budget against
the £100,000 to address local priorities in the North Local
Area Committee, as detailed in the report, that has taken place
since the North Local Area Committee meeting on 27 February
2025;

b)   
agrees the recommendations set out for use of the
2025/26 budget; and

c)    
authorises the Community Services Manager, in
consultation with the Local Area Committee Chair, to finalise the
eligibility criteria and make decisions, following engagement with
the relevant Ward Members, on the award of the grant funds proposed
of up to £5,000.

 

 

42.4

Reasons for Decision

 

 

 

The North Local Area Committee
is asked to note the use of funding under delegated authority in
accordance with the Local Area Committee decisions of 10 September
2024 to address the identified local priorities within the North
Local Area Committee Community Plan so that the Local Area
Committee can monitor its delegated budget and delivery of the
Community Plan.
 
The further expenditure and
proposed use of funding under delegated authority outlined in the
report addresses the identified local priorities within the North
Local Area Committee Community Plan. 

 

 

42.5

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

 

The North Local Area Committee
could choose not to allocate budgets at this stage, but this would
delay local projects and facilities for local
communities.
 
Decisions on grant awards could
be reserved to the North Local Area Committee, but this would
inevitably delay delivery of priority actions to address specific
issues identified in the Community Plan.
 
All decisions on expenditure to
support Community Plan priorities could be delegated to officers.
However, this would restrict and undermine the Local Area
Committee’s ability to monitor its delegated budget and
delivery of the Community Plan.