September 2010 Meeting
Posted on Tue 12 October 2010
The Panel had some very difficult decisions to make at their recent meeting. Expressions of Interest and then full bids were received totalling over £140K with only c£70K available to allocate. Whilst this may be a usual scenario for other grant pots, this is the first time since the Fair Share Trust began the Panel have been in this position. Four applications were received:-
1. Harbour Place - a Centre for the homeless - to cover running costs;
2. West Marsh Community Centre - Manager's salary
3. CPO Media - funding to produce a Fair Share Trust Newsletter
4. EMI - funding to employ a Community Development Worker for East Marsh.
After lengthy deliberations, project 3 and 4 were awarded one year's funding. The rationale behind these decisions was that applications must first fit the local priorities and secondly have a plan relating to sustainability. The local CVS will be invited to submit an application to cover the cost of employing a Community Development Worker for West Marsh, to ensure full area coverage. A sum will be ringfenced for this purpose. Harbour Place had other opportunities to secure funding and had a healthy reserve (as per their 5 year development plan) and West Marsh Community Centre had a limited remit. Those with an interest took no part in the discussions relating to the project or final funding recommendations. Whilst not ideal, this was the very best outcome that could have been achieved. These awards have been ratified by LCF Board of Trustees.
Other matters discussed were the forthcoming spending review and impact on the local voluntary sector, development of a local LEP and a response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act relating to details of grants awarded uner the Councillor scheme. The Local Agent is to send details of the Priorities to the LSP for approval and also to the Neighbourhood Management Board (via a Panel member). We also received an update on the youth magazine and East Meets West Magazine. CPO Media also circulated the Youth Magazine called "And" produced wholly by young people living in the Fair Share Area. This project has now secured continued funding from Media Box and is being used as a case study for best practice. A copy is attached
There will be a further interim meeting to discuss the proposed application from VANEL (since received and approved).
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