Content

9.1

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.

 

 

9.2

The following areas of expenditure were
proposed, totalling £80,000:
 
a)   
£50,000 Great North budget, for voluntary sector groups to
apply for up to £5000 for projects to meet local needs;
 
b)   
£25,000 NextGen North Fund (using £15,000 of North
Local Area Committee funds and £10,000 from Youth Services)
for voluntary sector groups to apply for up to £5,000 for
projects working with local children and young people;
 
c)    
£10,000 fund to support local food poverty initiatives;
and
 
d)   
A £5,000 operations budget.

 

 

9.3

RESOLVED: That
the North Local Area Committee:
 
a)   
Agrees the recommendations set out for use of the 2024-25
budget;
 
b)   
Notes the expenditure against the £100,000 budget to address
local priorities in the North Local Area Committee as detailed in
the report; 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.

 

 

9.4

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

 

The North Local Area Committee is asked to
note the use of funding under delegated authority and agree the
further expenditure outlined in the report to address the
identified local priorities within the North Local Area Committee
Community Plan.

 

 

9.5

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.