Issue - meetings

Report number CHFCS100 by the Assets and Resources Portfolio Holder.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

DECISION:

(1)       That initial consideration be given to allocate up to a total of £500,000 on a variety of specific one-off community projects with the balance to be held in reserves for future use.

(2)       That the Cabinet ask Resources PDG together with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Communities and Engagement PDGs to consider initiatives identified by Cabinet together with any further ideas for one-off projects which would benefit the community and which must also support the Council’s priority actions.

(3)       That consideration be given to the following suggested uses for the funding:

a.     The provision of play equipment

b.    Supporting local business

c.     Cabinet agree to recommend to Council the deferment of Sunday and evening charging in the Council’s car parks until the next charging review for the financial year 2012/13.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

(1)       Report number CHFCS100 by the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Resources.

(2)       Comments made by the Corporate Head for Finance and Customer Services noting that potentially the Council could receive an additional amount if compound interest is applied to the refund.

(3)       Comments from Cabinet Members noting the potential future reduction in grant income, but recognising that this was an unbudgeted windfall which should be used to benefit the community.

(4)       Comments from Cabinet Members noting that there had been little funding for play equipment and that improvements could be made in a number of areas.

(5)       Comments from Cabinet Members stressing that this was a one-off windfall and that any uses for the money would need to be projects without ongoing revenue costs due to existing budgetary pressure.

DATE DECISIONS ARE EFFECTIVE

Decisions CO3-CO5 as made on 10 May 2010 can be implemented on 19 May 2010 unless subject to call-in by the Scrutiny Committee Chairman or any five members of the Council from any political groups.