Issue - meetings

The Chief Finance Officer (S151) introduced this report to the Panel. He explained that the Community Contribution Fund was launched in March 2021 to enable residents to donate funds to support local causes. He said that the fund had now reached a sufficient level (£25,128.00) where grants could be awarded.

He said that over 300 people have now donated to the fund and that 73% of the donations received were valued between £5 - £50.

He stated that during October, applications were opened to any charitable, voluntary or community organisations that supported residents within Bath and North East Somerset. He said that organisations were able to apply for funding between £500 and £2,000 and that the deadline for applications was the 30th November 2021.

He informed the Panel that 29 applications have been received with a total funding request of £51,715. He explained that the projects vary from: supporting people’s mental health; providing emergency medical supplies; investing in refurbishments of community facilities; mentoring; support for families; training; group therapy and youth provision.

He stated that the applications are now currently being assessed against the criteria and further information is being obtained. He said that the funding decisions will be made by an assessment panel and that this has been arranged for the end of January and that the panel is made up of Elected Members.

He said that questions regarding the future of the scheme had been received

and would need to be considered as part of the review. He added that the main issue raised related to individuals being able to claim gift aid / tax relief and said that this would only be available if the fund was managed by a charitable organisation.

Councillor Alastair Singleton commented that the work undertaken during the pilot had been interesting and felt it would have garnered more support if gift aid had been an available option. He suggested whether the Quartet Community Foundation could become involved in the work of the Fund.

He asked if the Fund continued could it be tweaked at all and how could it be further publicised.

The Chief Finance Officer (S151) replied that to include gift aid the Fund would need to have a charitable status and that the costs associated with that move would need to be considered. He asked for comments to be fed back to Sara Dixon, Locality Manager.

The Chair suggested the Fund could be promoted through the Local Forums.

The Chief Finance Officer (S151) asked that any further comments be given by the end of January to enable any possible associated budget discussions.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the update on the Community Contribution Fund.