Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for projects recommended to receive a Community Grants Fund (NCIL) award over £100,000.00 in value, which in accordance with the constitution, require Cabinet approval.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve and confirm the final award of Community Grant (NCIL) funding to the following schemes:

(1)    Step Up Hub - £114,000

(2)    Forest United (1973) Youth Football Club Ltd - £146,976 subject to additional funding being secured for the total amount of the project cost (£1.2m).

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 22 July 24

Councillor Farah (Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Partnerships) introduced a report seeking approval for projects recommended to receive a Community Grants Fund (NCIL) award over £100,000 in value.

In presenting the report, members noted the use of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to fund the Community Grants (Neighbourhood CIL) programme.  In highlighting the significant community benefits provided as a result, particular attention was drawn to the opportunity available to support local communities and the voluntary sector in seeking to create better economic opportunities and stronger, more connected communities with it noted that the community grants had been awarded on the basis of priorities agreed for local facilities in consultation with the local community and the evaluation of each application having been subject to a five-stage assessment process, as detailed within Appendix A of the report.  This had resulted in a total of 35 projects being recommended for funding with two applications, Step Up Hub and Forest United Youth Football Club involving funding above £100k for which, members were advised, final approval would be required by Cabinet.

In outlining the projects for which funding approval was being sought, Cabinet were advised that both supported outcomes within the Borough Plan, specifically relating to Strategic Priority 3 – Thriving Communities.

In support of the community grants (NCIL) programme, Cabinet were keen to recognise the positive impact being created through the use of CIL as part of the wider programme of regeneration activity and its associated benefits for local communities across the borough, with thanks expressed for the work being undertaken to deliver the ongoing programme of growth and regeneration across the borough, including the generation and collection of CIL, given the wider associated benefits identified for both current and future residents.

In recognising the positive contribution of both projects within the local community for which funding approval was being sought Cabinet RESOLVED toapprove and confirm the final award of Community Grant (NCIL) funding to the following schemes:

(1)    Step Up Hub - £114,000.

(2)    Forest United (1973) Youth Football Club Ltd - £146,976, subject to additional funding being secured for the total amount of the project cost of £1.2m.