Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Police & Policy Co-ordination

Forward Plan Ref: 2012/015

Contact: Alexandra Bailey, Senior Performance & Improvement Manager Tel: (01865) 816384

Report by Assistant Chief Executive & Chief Finance Officer (CA8).

The Big Society Fund was launched in February 2011.  Applications are being considered in four waves during 2011/2012.  The first three waves were considered by Cabinet in July, October 2011 and February 2012.  Applications to the fourth wave closed on 29 February 2012.

This paper

1. details the bids we have received including service and councillors' comments

2. asks Cabinet to consider bids to the Big Society Fund and recommends which bids to fund.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)       Approve those bids which meet the assessment criteria

(b)       Agree a standard award of £5,000 for each of the three community cinema bids

The Cabinet considered a report outlining bids to the Big Society Fund from the third wave of applications.

Councillor Patrick, speaking as a local member spoke in support of the Wantage Independent Advice Centre bid and was pleased to see it recommended for approval.

Councillor David Turner, speaking as a local member, spoke in support of the Play Area Surface Upgrade bid by Cuddesdon and Denton Parish Council. In particular he sought  guidance about what was expected in terms of the business case. He queried whether small villages who have previously done their best to provide some facilities or service will lose out to villages that have done nothing and so can introduce a new facility or service provision. He commented that there had been no discussions with the Parish Council.

The Deputy Leader highlighted the tremendous success of the Big Society Fund and stressed that there were clear criteria to access the fund and to get engaged. He felt that some of the questions could have been asked of officers.

Alexandra Bailey clarified that requests for equipment did not meet the criteria as it was about services and activity. She referred to the annexes setting out the detailed recommendations and updated members in respect of South Stoke Community Shop Ltd. Where additional information had now been received and officers were recommending the bid for approval.

Councillor Jim Couchman spoke in support of Asthall Leigh Memorial Hall and then left the meeting taking no further part in the discussion or voting on the matter.

Councillor Lindsay-Gale spoke in support of the Coffee Plus and Lunch Plus – Stadhampton. She outlined the bid and commented that the bid submitted was only part of the picture of a larger project to provide a wide range of activities to the local community. Councillor Lindsay-Gale then left the meeting taking no further part in the discussion or voting on the matter.

Alexandra Bailey indicated that in respect of the Coffee Plus and Lunch Plus – Stadhampton she had spoken to the bidders this morning and she agreed that the bid did not accurately reflect the wider picture. There were several elements to the bid which could receive funding such as the community cinema, youth provision and parent and toddler group. The Deputy Leader proposed that in light of the additional information it be agreed that the bid be determined by the Cabinet Member for Police & Policy Coordination.

RESOLVED:             to:

(a)                                          approve those bids which meet the assessment criteria as set out in Annex 1; and

(b)                     agree a standard award of £5,000 for each of the three community cinema bids;

(c)                     to approve the bid from South Stoke Community Shop Ltd;

(d)                     to delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Police & Policy Coordination to determine the bid for Coffee Plus and Lunch Plus – Stadhampton.