Agenda item

To review the Council’s policy on discretionary grant awards.

The Committee reviewed the current Council policy on discretionary grant awards.

It was suggested that section 5.1 of the policy that set a £500 limit should be removed to allow greater flexibility when considering applications. In addition members considered whether grant applications should be determined bi-annually.

A member suggested that sections 4.3 and 4.4 could be amended. With regard to 4.3 it was considered that building and equipment costs were an issue for organisations and the flexibility to award in such circumstances should be available. In respect of 4.4 it was agreed that this should just read hospitality so that applicants such as foodbanks were not precluded.

Recommended:

1.       That, the Discretionary Grant Award Policy be amended by the deletion of sections 4.3 and 5.1 and 4.4 being amended to hospitality only;

2.       That, consideration of grants be undertaken twice a year at the March and September meetings of the committee; and

3.       The, revised process be reviewed after six months operation.