Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: June 30, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The report of the Chief Executive set out the Community Development Grant Scheme in detail and sought approval to launch the scheme in July 2025.  The grant would support local voluntary, community and charitable groups to deliver targeted services that met residents’ needs and enhance the quality of life in the community.     This would be the third round of the UKSPF Community Development Grant Scheme in addition to a recent TMBC 50th Anniversary Community Grant Scheme which had just been completed.   All three previous schemes had been well received by the local voluntary, community and charity sector and many projects across the borough had been delivered, providing vital support to residents.  As the schemes had been over-subscribed, and to help manage the process, guidance and scoring criteria was set out at Annex 1 to the report, to ensure applicants were aware of funding priorities and to maintain a fair and consistent approach to grant allocation.   In terms of the implementation, the scheme would be launched on 14 July 2025 and closed on 15 September 2025. The final approval of grant allocations would be at Cabinet on 14 October 2025, with funds distributed from the end of October 2025.    Careful consideration was given to the guidance and scoring criteria at Annex 1.  In order to support local veterans and the Borough’s armed forces community, Cllr Keers proposed, seconded by Cllr Boughton that additional points be included in the scoring criteria for any group proposing projects in support of the armed forces.   RESOLVED:  That   (1)        the priorities of the scheme, as set out in the report, be endorsed;   (2)        the Guidance and Scoring Criteria as set out in Annex 1, be endorsed subject to the inclusion of additional points for any group proposing projects in support of the armed forces; and   (3)        the launch of the scheme on 14 July 2025, be agreed;

Reasons for the decision: As set out in the report submitted to Cabinet on 30 June 2025.