Issue - meetings

COUNCILLOR COMMUNITY GRANT FUND

 

 

Meeting: 01/06/2026 - Cabinet (Item 9.)

9. COUNCILLOR COMMUNITY GRANT FUND pdf icon PDF 248 KB

Executive Summary

This report presents the Terms of Reference for the Councillor Community Grant Fund, which allocates £4,000 per councillor each year to support small?scale community projects within their ward. It sets out eligibility criteria, funding limits, and a clear application and approval process.

 

The report also establishes governance and financial controls, including officer checks and a Councillor Review Panel operating under Cabinet delegation, to ensure transparency, propriety, and compliance with council policies and audit requirements.

 

Options considered

 

No alternative options are presented in this report. Other potential structures for administering and reviewing the Fund were considered but were discounted, as they did not offer the same level of efficiency, effectiveness, and governance as the proposed arrangements.

 

Consultation(s)

No external public consultation has been undertaken, as the report relates to the establishment of internal governance and operating arrangements for a councillor?led discretionary grant scheme.

 

Internal consultation has taken place with Finance, Legal Services, and Democratic Services to ensure the proposed Terms of Reference are compliant with the Council’s financial regulations, governance framework, and audit requirements.

 

Recommendations

 
  1. To approve the Councillor Community Grant Fund Terms of Reference and its appendices as set out at Appendix A.

 

  1. To delegate authority for the operation and administration of the Fund in accordance with the approved Terms of Reference.

 

Reasons for recommendations

 

To enable the Councillor Community Grant Fund to operate with clear eligibility criteria, governance arrangements, and financial controls, providing assurance over the appropriate use of public funds while supporting local community projects within each ward.

Background papers

 

Budget & Council Tax 2026-27

 

 

Wards affected

All

Cabinet member(s)

Lucy Shires

Portfolio Holder for Finance, Estates & Property Services

 

Contact Officer

Daniel King

Assistant Director Finance & Assets

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Decision

RESOLVED:

 

  1. To approve the Councillor Community Grant Fund Terms of Reference and its appendices as set out at Appendix A.

 

  1. To delegate authority for the operation and administration of the Fund in accordance with the approved Terms of Reference.

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To enable the Councillor Community Grant Fund to operate with clear eligibility criteria, governance arrangements, and financial controls, providing assurance over the appropriate use of public funds while supporting local community projects within each ward.