Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: September 24, 2024

Purpose:

Content: 9.1 The Committee considered a report of Huda Ahmed, Community Services Manager, on the proposed allocation of funds to address local priorities for the East Local Area Committee for 2024-25.   9.2 Funding delegated by the Council in 2024/25 amounts to £100,000 per LAC to address issues in the East LAC Community plan. Following consultation with East LAC members it is proposed that this budget should be allocated so that £25,000 is spent per ward to address the priorities in the East LAC Community Plan.   9.3 The East LAC priorities are Children and Young People, Communities and Neighbourhoods, Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour, Health and Wellbeing, Environment, and Highways and Transport.   9.4 To enable financial decisions to be made, given the delays caused by the two pre-election periods (local election and general election) it is recommended that the level of expenditure that can be approved by the Community Services Manager in consultation with the LAC Chair under the delegated authority described above in 1.1.2 is raised to sums of up to £10,000.   9.5 RESOLVED: That the East Local Area Committee:   agrees the approach set out for use of the 2024/25 budget to address local priorities in the East LAC Community Plan as detailed in the report; and authorise the Community Services Manager to make decisions on expenditure from any budgets allocated to the Local Area Committee provide that:   ·       The decision is taken in consultation with the Local Area Committee Chair ·       Spending is in line with any specific purposes of the allocated budget ·       The decision may not approve expenditure of more than £10,000 ·       A report detailing the delegated spending decisions taken by the Community Services Manager is presented to the next Local Area Committee meeting.   9.6 Reasons for Decision   9.6.1 The East LAC is asked to approve the approach to the 2024/25 budget outlined in the report to address the identified local priorities within the East LAC Community Plan.   9.7 Alternatives Considered and Rejected    9.7.1 The LAC could choose not to allocate budgets at this stage, but this would delay local projects and facilities for local communities. All decisions on expenditure to support Community Plan priorities could be delegated to officers. However, this would restrict and undermine the LACs ability to monitor its delegated budget and delivery of the Community Plan.