Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: March 13, 2025

Purpose: Cabinet to consider the recommendations of the report in relation to the funding agreements for the provision of advice services from Citizens Advice East Hampshire, Voluntary Sector advice, support from Community First and the provision of community transport services from Hampshire County Council.

Content: RESOLVED that   a.     the core services grants as set out in the table* at paragraph 8.1 be approved;   b.    authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Community to agree the contractual arrangements, detailed outcomes, application processes and monitoring arrangements, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Development and Engagement; and   c.     authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Community to agree the distribution of grants, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Development and Engagement, and release the grant payments (in instalments where appropriate) based on performance data provided in quarterly reporting.   *typographical error to be amended as follows:   Hampshire County Council – Wheels to Work programme £4,247.39 6 5 x monthly payments April 1st 2025 – 31st August 2025 Deed of Agreement with biannual monitoring reports   Reasons for the decision   To provide grants to several different organisations to provide services in the district through Service Level Agreements or other legal agreements. These services include the provision of advice and support from Citizens Advice, support for the voluntary and community sector organisations from Community First, Community Transport provision through Hampshire County Council and a Wheels to Work service through Hampshire County Council. The award of these grants provides vital services across the district. This is a matter for Cabinet consideration as the funded services effect more than one ward in the district.   Alternative Options considered   a.       Do nothing – There are no statutory requirements to provide funding to facilitate these services in the district. However, it is anticipated that this option would result in additional pressures on other services the council offers and that our most vulnerable residents would be disproportionally affected by not providing these services. b.       Council provide services directly - The Council could provide these services directly although it does not currently have sufficient staff resource to do this. This option is not considered to offer an efficient service to our residents. The grant funding arrangements enable the Council to offer a comprehensive programme of support and advice for residents and voluntary sector organisation through partner organisations. These organisations can attract external funding to supplement council funding, and use volunteers to enable a comprehensive service, providing the most efficient method of operating these functions. c.       Reduce the current level of grant funding - Any decrease to the grant funding may have implications on the level of future service provision. Citizens Advice and Community First do apply for and receive income for projects; however, these are usually short term with no certainty on future funding opportunities or income and cannot be relied on to fund core services. Officers continue to work closely with all partner organisations to secure the current level of service for current funding arrangements and ensure an efficient service and value for money. d.       Preferred option – As set out in this paper the provision of Core Services grants enables a range of support and advice services as well as the provision of community transport services in the most efficient manner.   The call-in deadline is 4.00 pm on Wednesday 19 March 2025.