Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 14, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The report of the Chief Executive provided details of the third round of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Community Development Grant Scheme and sought approval of grant allocations as set out in Annex 2.   As per previous years, the application process had been designed to minimise risk, with assessments based on set criteria (detailed in Annex 1).  Payments would be made following this process and upon receipt of signed or audited accounts and a copy of the organisation’s constitution.   During the 9-week application period, 56 eligible bids were received.  As anticipated the scheme was oversubscribed with the total amount applied for by eligible applications exceeding the total funding pot.  This meant that the full amount requested by all applicants could not be offered and the agreed scoring criteria had been used to determine the level of award for each applicant.   Attention was drawn to an additional application for funding from the organisation Arts without Boundaries.  Members were advised that unfortunately this application had been missed, although it was an eligible bid and supported the Borough Council’s priorities for the Scheme.  The application had been scored against the  set criteria (Annex 1) and meant that the organisation was eligible for an award of £420.  Funding of this would be met via the underspend of the 50th Anniversary Grant Scheme.   On the grounds that this application met the scoring criteria, Cllr Coffin proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet supported this additional application for funding.   Due regard was given  to the financial and value for money considerations and on the grounds that the proposed grant allocations focused on projects that best met the criteria for the Community Development Grant Scheme and aligned with Council priorities, Cllr Coffin proposed, Cllr Keers seconded and Cabinet   RESOLVED:  That   (1)            the grant allocations (set out in Annex 2) be endorsed; and   (2)            an additional grant allocation of £420 be awarded to Arts without Boundaries and funded from the 50th Anniversary Grant underspend.