Issue - meetings

The item was introduced by Dominika Stockham (Localities and Communities Officer), who said the report outlined what had been covered by the Grant Fund. She said the first round of funding had been simplified to make money available more readily, and to make the eligibility requirements less onerous, to help a wider number of projects affected by the Covid pandemic. Over the last three years there had been a total of 1,494 applications for grants. Of these, 74 per cent had been successful in obtaining funding. For the 2023/24 financial year, the amount of funding available had been increased from £6,000 per Councillor to £8,000. This was a reflection of the Community Powered Warwickshire initiative. Dominika Stockham said the allocation of the grant funding had had a positive impact on residents’ health and wellbeing, and this was something that had been noticed by the elected members.

Councillor Boad said the deadline for the next round of funding was June, but groups wishing to seek funding would either have to apply very early or very late as there may be issues associated with Purdah in the run-up to local elections.

It was confirmed that a joint bid for funding could be made by more than one councillor, if money was needed for a project going across more than one ward.

Members said they were unanimous in their support for the grant funds, saying they had given enormous benefits to their residents.

Members noted the contents of the report.