Agenda item

Report of the Chief Grants Officer.

Members received a report of the Chief Grants Officer which provided an update and next steps in respect of the Central Grants Programme (CGP).  The report provided an outcome of the four CGP rounds delivered in 2017/18 and recent amendments to Education and Employment (approved by the Education Board). 

Members asked to be kept advised on the outcome of the new crowd funding platform run by Spacehive.  In respect of those applications to the City Corporation’s Relief of Poverty Charity, which did not meet the criteria, grants officers had been working with community and children’s services and comptroller and city solicitors’ officers to develop a suitable policy, consistent with the City Corporation’s duties as Trustees.    Members noted that the new Education Grants Policy permitted individual grants through schools and the grants officers had been working with education officers on marketing. 

Members noted that feedback was provided to unsuccessful applicants and they were advised of their potential eligibility for other programmes.  Members asked if they could be given a summary of information in respect of unsuccessful applicants, as they were concerned about any that might effectively ‘fall through the gaps’ and keen to maintain good relationships with applicants and potential applicants. The Senior Grants Officer advised that the team offered advice ahead of applications being submitted and ran workshops to ensure that potential applicants understand the criteria. 

RESOLVED, that:

1.         The Central Grants Programme progress update be noted.

2.         Policy and Resources approval to implement the Central Grants Programme and the Central Grants Unit on a permanent basis, from 1 April 2018, be noted.