Issue - meetings

Report number DCS37 by the Director of Community Services.

                                                                                                            (attached)

DECISION:

(1)    To approve the request to Lincolnshire County Council for a grant allocation from the additional income raised from council tax on second homes;

(2)    To agree that the grant be allocated for use by the Local Strategic Partnership to assist the development of schemes and projects identified in the draft Community Plan 2006/07;

(3)    To note that the grant in respect of 2005/06 will be paid alongside the payment for 2006/07.

Considerations/Reasons for Decision:

(1)     Report number DCS37 by the Director of Community Services which refers to an opportunity to submit proposed schemes to Lincolnshire County Council for the use of additional income arising from the reduced discount of council tax on second homes.  Such proposed schemes to be of mutual benefit to both the district concerned and the county;

(2)     Given the emphasis being placed on both tiers of local government to develop and promote excellence in partnership working and the increased importance being placed on Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) to deliver the outcomes of Local Area Agreements, the Lincolnshire County Council is asked to make a grant towards the development of the South Kesteven Local Strategic Partnership.  The themes to be addressed by the LSP are also being addressed by the County Council.  If the grant is approved, allocating funds to the LSP will facilitate a more integrated and coherent approach to project development and implementation.

Other options considered and assessed

(1)  In considering other options thought has been given to other mutually important priorities shared by the County Council and South Kesteven District Council. Themes such as community safety, economic development and support to the voluntary sector have been considered.

(2)  It is the case that many funding opportunities open to partnerships organisations are not available to local authorities. If this funding is made available to the Local Strategic Partnership opportunities may exist to use the grant as matched funding to support a range of projects within the district. Since the Local Strategic Partnership and the District Council are strategically aligned there are opportunities for mutual gain.