Agenda item

The Council’s Community Grants Scheme (CGS) made provision for up to £130,000 per annum to be made available to community groups or organisations that met the grant’s criteria of the Scheme.  The Panel had delegated authority to grant awards up to £1,000 and it was noted that no applications were received in Round 1 for these.

Round 1 of the Rother CGS for 2021/22 closed on 15 July 2021.  A total of eight applications were received.  Two applications did not meet the CGS criteria, and both applicants had been informed and / or provided with alternative funding suggestions.  The Panel met on 1 August 2021 and recommended awards for six applications from Beulah Baptist Church, Bexhill Cricket Club, Bexhill Senior Citizens Club, Burwash Weald and Common Memorial Fund, Sedlescombe Parish Council and The Pelham, as set out in the report; (each application was summarised in Appendix A to the report).  If agreed, this would result in a maximum of £115,000 being awarded in Round 1, leaving £10,000 for Round 2 and other small grants for the remainder of the financial year 2021/22.  It was noted that small grant applications were accepted all year round through the on-line application process.  Support and guidance could be obtained via Rother Voluntary Action (RVA) and applicants were recommended to contact RVA before submission of an application; £5,000 was available for 2021/22.

Cabinet was reminded that conditions were applied when awarding grants; specifically, that full funding was required to be obtained in advance of any Rother payments being made and that Rother District Council was acknowledged in any publicity and promotional material associated with any project.  After discussion, Cabinet approved all six grants.

Members were supportive of a £10,000 Council fund being allocated for supporting community events to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (2 June 2022 to 5 June 2022).  The Council would match-fund pound for pound to a maximum of £500 per grant.  It was agreed that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Community Grants Panel to approve grants up to the value of £500.  A scheme guide, on-line application process and questions were attached at Appendix B to the report.  Members were encouraged to promote The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and Small Grants schemes within their Wards. 

It was noted that the full allocation of funding (apart from £5,000 for small grants) had been allocated and there was no funding available for Round 2 of the 2021/22 CGS.

RESOLVED: That:

1)    the community grants listed below, asrecommended by the Grants Panel, be approved subject to specific conditions relating to each application, as follows:

Beulah Baptist Church – £12,500

Bexhill Cricket Club – £5,000

Bexhill Senior Citizens Club – £17,500

Burwash Weald & Common Memorial Fund – £22,500

Sedlescombe Parish Council – £30,000

The Pelham – £27,500

2)    a fund of £10,000 from the Community Grant Scheme be approved for supporting community events to celebrate the forthcoming Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (2 June 2022 – 5 June 2022);

3)    delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair of the Community Grants Panel to award or refuse the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Grants 2022 Scheme within the criteria set out within Appendix B to the report; and

4)    all Members to promote the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Grant scheme within their wards.

(Cllr Vine-Hall declared a Personal Interest in this matter as Chairman of Sedlescombe Parish Council and remained in the meeting during the consideration thereof).