Agenda item

Charles Barlow (Delivery Lead-Localities) informed the committee that in February 2021 the council approved proposals for social/community endowment fund to act as a catalyst to build stronger communities. Several key questions around what outcomes are desired, what the voluntary community and social enterprise sectors need by way of additional investment and support ensuring that any proposals genuinely engage with grass roots and anything proposed engenders sustainability. To help inform proposals an analysis of the Council's existing funding streams to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector was carried out and it revealed a gap around certain types of financial, digital, cultural and health inclusion. Inequalities within communities were highlighted during the pandemic; therefore, a focus on promoting inclusion aligns with central government’s contain outbreak management fund. The fund proposed will address several priorities of the Covid-19 recovery plan, support current and future Council Plan outcomes, and be clearly aligned to the council's community powered Warwickshire work stream. Different funding streams were investigated before as grants and loans but the Local Communities and Enterprise pillar of the WRIF was the best solution. For years the voluntary community sector flagged a need for additional capital investment for community buildings which needed investment. Applications from areas with higher Covid-19 infection rates and levels of deprivation will be prioritised for funding but no area would be excluded from applying. The report will go to Cabinet in October 2021 and propose £1 million split 60/40 revenue and capital. Money that will be awarded to each successful application will be between £25,000-£50,000 and £50,000-£100,000; most will be awarded the lower amount. The fund will focus on financial, digital, health, social, and cultural inclusion to be launched at the beginning of November 2021 and in compliance with the contain outbreak management fund. All awards will be made by March 2022 and there will be a recommendation to commission the operation to a third-party supplier.

In response to Councillor Feeney, Charles Barlow noted that the resolution was broad to cover the five types of inclusion and review the inequality in areas that will be given funding. The scoring system would affect how much money is provided. Following a supplementary from Councillor Feeney, Charles Barlow, stated that partners will be used to promote the fund and help people put in applications for the fund. Specialist agencies will be used to help too with grass route groups.

Councillor Heather Timms clarified that this was a strand of work of the Social Value Policy which was approved in September’s Cabinet meeting. All strand of work together would make more sense to help communities affected by Covid-19. 

In response to Councillor Feeney, Charles Barlow clarified that one organisation will be commissioned to run the fund. 

Following a question from the Chair, Chares Barlow confirmed that government funding for the scheme had already been received and this funding would be given to areas most affected by Covid-19. Following a supplementary from the Chair, Charles Barlow stated that unsuccessful applications may be eligible for other council funding streams and the organisation running the fund will work to find the harder to reach areas.

In response to Councillor Humphreys, Charles Barlow stated that the money needed to be spent by March 2022 and there will be a competitive process window. They were hoping to have £1 million worth of applications so all money provided could be distributed. 

The Committee requested that a report be brought back to the committee on the success of the fund.

Resolved:

That the Committee notes and comments on the proposals for the Warwickshire Social Impact Fund to help inform final proposals being submitted to Cabinet on 14 October 2021 and request the successes of the fund be reported back to the Committee.