Agenda item

L Roberts presented a presentation and explained how the budget will be staying the same.

Cllr Mahmood asked if the budget was spent last year.

L Roberts said yes we always make sure it’s spent and all individual cases are reviewed.

Cllr Mahmood referred to allocations, and asked how it’s done?

L Roberts said we get new ones and established ones they vary.

Cllr Mahmood said it is very important to get new ones on board.

Cllr Pringle asked how we publicise it, is it just on the website.

L Roberts said mainly on the website but councillors make it clear in their areas about the grant. We do support people if they speak to us about it and we also advertise it in the digital digest.

Cllr Harden said bids up to £500 and £10,000 have been approved those that put in higher bids of up to £10,000 have to be approved by himself. The £500 bids are not well presented but those that know about it take advantage so it does get used but it could be promoted more.

Cllr Pringle asked what the criteria was for a registered bid/charity.

Cllr Harden said the application is on the website it can be as simple as a recommendation from a Cllr.

Cllr Adeleke said what is the upper limit.

Cllr Harden said £500-£5,000 approved by an officer panel and £10,000 has to be approved by himself.

Cllr Adeleke asked what happens to the sub loss.

L Roberts if they’re not successful we make other recommendations of funding available.

Cllr Adeleke expressed how fantastic this was and needs to be publicised more and what great initiative used by DBC.

Cllr Harden said if you remember a few years back we did have a big cheque which we presented people. We do encourage the groups to publicise it themselves.

Cllr Adeleke suggested if we could tie something into the contract to make them publicise it.

Cllr Harden said that some organisations don’t have the time to do press releases, we do our bit and advertise it but a lot of these small organisations don’t have the time or resources. Sometimes the papers don’t always publish the stories, we do the best we can.

F Williamson gave a brief update on her presentation. There is one change, which is the Team Leader for the Private rented sector, which had been discussed at the January meeting.

Cllr Mahmood referred to page 38, there was a variation in graphs, the income and grants and the contribution figures are high. (Those in red)

N Beresford said that these refer to the flexible home grant funds and the homelessness reduction act and income from temporary accommodation. She confirmed that they are both positives.