Agenda Item No_____12________
The Big Society Fund
Summary:
The first round of applications for the Big Society Fund have been
received and the smaller grants (up to £10,000) have been awarded
by the big Society Board. The larger applications (those above
£10,000) are reported to Cabinet for determination.
Conclusions:
The first round of applications for the Big Society Fund has provided
an exciting range of projects that contribute significantly towards
achieving the purpose of the Fund, which is to help build strong
communities in North Norfolk and improve their social and economic
wellbeing.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that Cabinet determines the Big Society Fund grant
applications in accordance with the recommendations set out in the
schedule in Appendix L of this report, in accordance with the Big
Society Fund Prospectus and having regard to the decisions made by
the Big Society Board at its meeting on 21 May 2012
Cabinet member(s):
Ward(s) affected:
All
All
Rob Young 01263 516162, robert.young@northnorfolk.gov.uk
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
1
Introduction
The North Norfolk Big Society Fund opened to applications on 2 April 2012. In order for
support for projects to be provided at the earliest possible opportunity it was agreed for the
first round of grant determinations to be made at the earliest suitable time. The first meeting
of the Big Society Board (which determines applications for grants of up to £10,000) was
therefore held on 21 May and all applications received up until 4 May were reported to that.
Applications for funding over £10,000 are to be determined by Cabinet and to keep these
moving along in the same timeframe as the smaller grants, those received by 4th May are
being reported to this meeting.
The Norfolk Community Foundation (NCF) administers the grant scheme on behalf of NNDC
under a Service Level Agreement. Prior to the determination of the applications all contact
with the applicants is therefore via NCF, which also provides the reports and
recommendations to both the Board and Cabinet. The prospectus for the grant scheme sets
out the purpose of the Fund and sets out the eligibility criteria and the guidelines for
applicants; this should also be the reference point for the Board and Cabinet in determining
grant applications. The Prospectus is included as Appendix J for convenience.
Those grant applications approved by the Big Society Board on 21st May are shown in
Appendix K. Eighteen grant applications in total were approved for a wide variety of
different projects and activities totaling £81,776.00.
Five applications for over £10,000 have been received, these amount to a sum total of
£124,072.00; these are summarized in the schedule in Appendix L of this report. The
reports and recommendations on these applications are included in Appendix M. In
considering these applications it is important for Members to refer to the Fund Prospectus
but also for decisions to be consistent with those taken by the Board. Members are therefore
asked to look in particular at the applications for Skate Park proposals in Cromer and
Sheringham, which are similar to that proposed for Wells-next-the-Sea (approved by the
Board for funding amounting to £10,000). Members are also asked to consider whether
there might be other more appropriate means by which certain of these larger projects (for
example the Application by the wells Maltings Trust) are funded by this Council.
2
Risks
Cabinet is being asked to determine applications for significant amounts of funding. The
operational framework within which this will operate was adopted by Council (on 22
February) and the budget has been identified to cover the funding recommended.
Additionally the applications have been assessed by Norfolk Community Foundation (under
the terms on the SLA set up for this purpose) and a full report on each has been provided,
which identifies the risk associated with each as appropriate.
3
Sustainability
There are no sustainability issues raised by this report.
4
Financial Implications
The Big Society Fund was set up for the purpose of delivering grants to appropriate
organisations for initiatives that meet the specified criteria. The level of funding sought
through the applications being reported to Cabinet at this meeting (together with those
approved for funding by the Big Society Board) are well within the approved budget (which
currently comprises £250,000 revenue and £200,000 capital).
5
Equality and Diversity
There are no equality and diversity issues raised by this report.
6
Crime and Disorder
There are no anticipated impacts on Crime and Disorder arising from this report.
7
Recommendation
It is recommended that Cabinet determines the Big Society Fund grant applications in
accordance with the recommendations set out in the schedule in Appendix L of this report,
in accordance with the Big Society Fund Prospectus and having regard to the decisions
made by the Big Society Board at its meeting on 21 May 2012.
8
Conclusion
The first round of applications for the Big Society Fund has provided an exciting range of
projects that will contribute significantly towards achieving the purpose of the fund which is
to help build strong communities in North Norfolk and improve their social and economic
wellbeing.