Decision details

The Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report for Committee to consider amendments to the voluntary organisation grant scheme criteria, and to consider a new grant application for Clitheroe Torchlight under the 2024/25 funding.

The report set out the current process for the grant scheme which was administered by this Committee and an explanation of some of the problems encountered recently with applications for this grant scheme and also the Recreation and Culture Grants Scheme, administered by Community Committee.

It was proposed that the closing date of the scheme along with the Recreation and Culture Grants Scheme, return to being at different dates to draw distinction between the two schemes and remove any confusion. It was also proposed that the wording of the grant criteria be amended to remove any ambiguity for applicants, the key points being:

·         The Voluntary Organisation Grant scheme would not support organisations whose main objectives were the provision of service of a recreation and culture nature.

·         Making it clear in the Recreation and Culture Grant scheme that the Council would not support recreation and culture applications of a revenue nature.

It was also proposed to change the online application process to allow for pre-screening questions that would attempt to prevent applications from organisations that could apply under the Council’s other grant schemes. The suggested scheme amendments were attached with the report for Member’s information.

Members were asked to consider an application requesting £2,500 which had been received outside of the normal round of applications, in respect of Clitheroe Torchlight, which was being coordinated by the Clitheroe Chamber of Trade. The Voluntary Organisation Grant allocations had previously been made for the 2024/25 financial year when the application process closed  which had resulted in an unallocated budget of £47,470.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.    Approve amendments to the grant scheme as proposed in the tracked changes as attached to the report.

2.    Approve the additional application under the 2024/25 budget as received in respect of Clitheroe Torchlight for the value of £2,500.

Councillor S O’Rourke returned to the meeting.