Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Local Communities

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/149

Contact: Sarah Jelley, Senior Policy & Performance Officer Tel: 07554 103437

Report by Assistant Chief Executive (CA8).

In February 2016, the Council agreed to set aside £1m for creating a 'one off' fund to provide pump priming to support the provision of open access children's services. 

In September 2017 Cabinet agreed the proposed use of the underspend of £232,674 for further rounds of grant funding and a cross party group of councillors bringing proposals back to Cabinet for decision.

The working group have considered the applications under the fifth round of bids against the criteria outlined in the guidance notes with recommendations to Cabinet.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)      approve for funding the following bids:

a.         Happy Hub Cholsey

b.         Sutton Courtney Stay and Play Group

c.         Thomas Gifford Trust

(b)    ask that further work is conducted to develop more robust business plans and reapply for funding under the next round of applications:

d.         Banbury & District Community Bus Project

(c)     decline for funding the following bid:

e.         Oxford Baby Café Group

Recommendations agreed.

In February 2016, the Council agreed to set aside £1m for creating a 'one off' fund to provide pump priming to support the provision of open access children's services. 

In September 2017 Cabinet agreed the proposed use of the underspend of £232,674 for further rounds of grant funding with a cross party group of councillors bringing proposals back to Cabinet for decision.

Following consideration by the working group of the applications under the fifth round of bids against the criteria outlined in the guidance notes Cabinet had before them a report setting out their recommendations.

Councillor Jamila Begum Azad, Shadow Cabinet Member for Children & Family Services referred to the history behind the transition fund and highlighted the importance of early intervention for children’s outcomes. Councillor Begum Azed commented on the difficulties faced by groups in setting up stay and play facilities, with some struggling for match funding. She asked that the approach be flexible and that assessment was carried out against previous provision. 

Councillor Hudspeth, Leader of the Council, moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)       approve for funding the following bids:

(i)        Happy Hub Cholsey

(ii)       Sutton Courtney Stay and Play Group

(iii)      Thomas Gifford Trust

(b)       ask that further work is conducted to develop more robust business plans and reapply for funding under the next round of applications:

(iv)      Banbury & District Community Bus Project

(c)       decline for funding the following bid:

(v)       Oxford Baby Café Group