Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 17, 2025

Purpose: To seek approval to establish a two-year community focussed grant scheme running to April 2027 ensuring £1.1 million funding goes to support local communities.

Content: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson sought approval for the establishment and delivery of a new two-year councillor-led grant scheme entitled the ‘Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund’, through the investment of £1,100,000.   Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and RESOLVED to:   1.     Approve the establishment and delivery of a new two-year councillor led grant scheme commencing October 2025 that will be funded through the allocation of £1,100,000 from the council’s general fund reserves to support grass-root projects to improve health and wellbeing, including tackling health inequalities. The rules of the scheme will stipulate that a maximum of £20,000 may be allocated to projects in each of Gloucestershire’s fifty-five electoral divisions in line with the grant scheme criteria described in Recommendation 2 below.   2.         Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Fire to: a. Finalise the award criteria for the above scheme on the basis described in the “Background” section of this report; and b. Approve each grant to be awarded under the scheme in accordance with the agreed award criteria.