Agenda Document Pack - Clydesdale Area Committee - 22/03/2023
South Lanarkshire Council · 22 March 2023
Back to Clydesdale Area Committee — 22 March 2023 and its agenda
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Council Offices, Almada Street Hamilton, ML3 0AA Tuesday, 14 March 2023 Dear Councillor Clydesdale Area Committee The Members listed below are requested to attend a meeting of the above Committee to be held as follows:- Date: Wednesday, 22 March 2023 Time: 14:00 Venue: Hybrid - Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA The business to be considered at the meeting is listed overleaf. Yours sincerely Cleland Sneddon Chief Executive Members Catherine McClymont (Chair), Ross Gowland (Depute Chair), Alex Allison, Ralph Barker, Poppy Corbett, Lynsey Hamilton, Mark Horsham, Ross Lambie, Richard Lockhart, Eileen Logan, Julia Marrs, Ian McAllan, David Shearer 1
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BUSINESS 1 Declaration of Interests 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting of the Clydesdale Area Committee held on 25 January 2023 submitted for approval as a correct record. (Copy attached) 3 - 6 Item(s) for Noting 3 Community Asset Transfer Update Report dated 1 March 2023 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources). (Copy attached) 7 - 10 4 Participatory Budgeting - Housing and Technical Resources - Estate Improvement Budget/HIP Environmental Programme Report dated 7 March 2023 by the Executive Director (Housing and Technical Resources). (Copy attached) 11 - 12 Item(s) for Decision 5 Community Grant Applications/Warm Welcome Initiative Report dated 6 March 2023 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources). (Copy attached) 13 - 18 Urgent Business 6 Urgent Business Any other items of business which the Chair decides are urgent. For further information, please contact:- Clerk Name: Carol Lyon Clerk Telephone: 07385 370065 Clerk Email: carol.lyon@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 2
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CLYDESDALE AREA COMMITTEE Minutes of meeting held via Confero and in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton on 25 January 2023 Chair: Councillor Ross Gowland (Depute) Councillors Present: Councillor Ralph Barker, Councillor Poppy Corbett, Councillor Mark Horsham, Councillor Ross Lambie, Councillor Richard Lockhart, Councillor Eileen Logan, Councillor Julia Marrs, Councillor Ian McAllan, Councillor David Shearer Councillors’ Apologies: Councillor Alex Allison, Councillor Lynsey Hamilton, Councillor Catherine McClymont (Chair) Attending: Education Resources L James, Headteacher, Milton Primary School; L Mitchell, Quality Improvement Officer; J Wallace, Quality Improvement Manager Finance and Corporate Resources N Docherty, Administration Assistant; C Lyon, Administration Officer; G McCann, Head of Administration and Legal Services 1 Declaration of Interests The following interest was declared:- Councillor(s) Item(s) Nature of Interest(s) Horsham, Marrs, McAllan, Shearer Community Grant Application (CL/30/22) Clydesdale Community Gaelic Initiative, Lanark Known to applicant 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting of the Clydesdale Area Committee held on 12 October 2022 were submitted for approval as a correct record. The Committee decided: that the minutes be approved as a correct record. 3 Education Scotland Report – Milton Primary School, Lesmahagow A report dated 5 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Education Resources) was submitted on the outcome of the inspection of Milton Primary School, Lesmahagow made by Education Scotland. The inspection had taken place in September 2022 as part of a national sample of primary education and the inspection letter reporting on the findings had been published on 6 December 2022. A number of particular strengths of the school had been highlighted in the inspection letter. The areas for improvement, agreed with the school and education authority, had been incorporated into the school’s improvement plan and parents would be informed of progress. Education Scotland had intimated that they would make no further visits in connection with this inspection. 2 3
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L James, Headteacher and J Wallace, Quality Improvement Manager, having spoken on key aspects of the report and having responded to members’ questions, were congratulated on the positive inspection report. The Committee decided: that the report be noted. 4 Participatory Budgeting – Education Resources - Pupil Equity Funding A report dated 9 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Education Resources) was submitted on Participatory Budgeting (PB) in relation to Pupil Equity Funding (PEF). Schools within the Clydesdale area had allocated £100,406.85 of their £1,435,165 million PEF allocation for PB. A breakdown of the allocation for each learning community was provided in Appendix 1 of the report. Appendix 2 of the report summarised the percentage of PEF which schools had allocated for PB. Appendix 3 outlined the outcome of the vote in relation to category of spend for each school. Appendix 4 indicated the distribution in terms of categories of spend across the Clydesdale area, while Appendix 5 outlined the distribution of votes by stakeholders across the Clydesdale area. Schools were now progressing with their spend to ensure the minimum 5% was spent in full by the end of March 2023. Education Resources would provide Area Committees with:- a summary report of each school’s PB outcome case studies of school activity, which had particular impact/success a detailed financial report of how PEF money allocated for PB had been spent Education Resources would support schools and monitor and track the impact of this activity. Findings would inform any future PB activity within the Resource. The Quality Improvement Officer responded to members’ questions. The Committee decided: that the report be noted. [Reference: Minutes of 12 October 2022 (Paragraph 4)] 5 Community Grant Applications/Warm Welcome Initiative A report dated 9 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on:- ♦ applications for community grant ♦ grants awarded to community and voluntary groups/organisations in the Clydesdale Area Committee area in response to the Warm Welcome Initiative At its meeting on 28 September 2022, the Council agreed that the Chief Executive would bring a package of cost of living supports for agreement, in consultation with Group Leaders, which was approved in terms of Standing Order No 37(c) and noted by the Executive Committee on 30 November 2022. This package included support for a Warm Welcome Initiative. Working in conjunction with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and community and voluntary groups/organisations, the Warm Welcome Initiative was a network of warm spaces in community settings and public buildings where members of the public were welcomed and could participate in activities and access advice and support. 4
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To support the Initiative, a small grants scheme had been created offering grants to a maximum of £1,000 to cover extra costs incurred by offering a Warm Welcome. A total of £40,000 had been identified for the Initiative and the monies had been apportioned equally between the 4 Area Committees. As funds were required immediately, it had been agreed that applications would be considered by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources), in consultation with the relevant Area Committee Chair or Depute, and submitted to the Area Committee for noting. As the total grants awarded had exceeded the budget of £10,000, the Depute Chair had agreed that the additional £1,600 would be met from the community grants budget for 2022/2023. There followed a general discussion around the criteria and amount of award for community grants. Councillor Barker gave a brief update on a meeting he had attended with regards to the start up of a new windfarm. He referred to the fact that it was easier for community groups to get grants from windfarms than from the Council. The Committee decided: (1) that community grants be awarded as follows:- (a) Applicant: Clydesdale Community Gaelic Initiative, Lanark (CL/30/22) Purpose of Grant: Administration and publicity costs Amount Awarded: £800 Councillors Horsham, Marrs, McAllan and Shearer, having declared an interest in the above application, withdrew from the meeting during its consideration (b) Applicant: Coalburn Regeneration Group (CL/31/22) Purpose of Grant: Start-up costs Amount Awarded: £300 (c) Applicant: Crawfordjohn Toddlers (CL/33/22) Purpose of Grant: Start-up costs Amount Awarded: £300 (d) Applicant: Coalburn Homing Club (CL/34/22) Purpose of Grant: Materials, administration and publicity costs Amount Awarded: £300 (e) Applicant: Carnwath Primary School and Nursery Parent Council (CL/35/22) Purpose of Grant: Equipment Amount Awarded: £240 (f) Applicant: Rigside Community Nursery Committee (CL/36/22) Purpose of Grant: Equipment Amount Awarded: £800 (2) that the award of 12 grants, totalling £11,600, to the following community and voluntary groups/organisations in the Clydesdale Area in response to the Warm Welcome Initiative be noted:- (a) Applicant: Abington Community Development Group Amount Awarded: £1,000 5
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(b) Applicant: Greyfriars Parish Church, Lanark Amount Awarded: £1,000 (c) Applicant: Healthy Valleys, Clydesdale Amount Awarded: £1,000 (d) Applicant: Forth and District Development Trust, Forth Amount Awarded: £1,000 (e) Applicant: Youth, Family and Community Learning, Lanark Amount Awarded: £1,000 (f) Applicant: Forth and Wilsontown Bowling Club, Forth Amount Awarded: £1,000 (g) Applicant: ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) Scotland, Lesmahagow Amount Awarded: £1,000 (h) Applicant: Esteem Clydesdale, Lanark Amount Awarded: £1,000 (i) Applicant: Universal Connections, Douglas Amount Awarded: £600 (j) Applicant: Kirkmuirhill Parish Church Amount Awarded: £1,000 (k) Applicant: Carstairs Junction Welcome All Hub Amount Awarded: £1,000 (l) Applicant: Forth Community Resource Steering Group Amount Awarded: £1,000 [Reference: Minutes of South Lanarkshire Council of 28 September 2022 (Paragraph 7) and Minutes of the Executive Committee of 30 November 2022 (Paragraph 11)] 6 Urgent Business There were no items of urgent business. 6
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Report Agenda Item Report to: Clydesdale Area Committee Date of Meeting: 22 March 2023 Report by: Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) Subject: Community Asset Transfer Update 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- provide Members with an update on the current work related to Community Asset Transfer 2. Recommendation(s) The Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- (1) that progress regarding the development of Community Asset Transfer, be noted. 3. Background 3.1. The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 created several legal obligations aimed at improving the involvement of community members in the design, implementation and delivery of services and activities that impacted them and their fellow residents, one of which was the introduction of Community Asset Transfer (CAT). 3.2. CAT enables suitably constituted local community organisations to formally apply to lease, purchase or implement managed arrangements for any land or property owned by relevant public bodies where they can evidence that their proposed community benefit is better than the current usage. 3.3. As this legislation increasingly impacted upon the work of the authority a dedicated Community Asset Transfer officer was employed from March 2022 on a two-year contract. The officer’s role was to improve the authority’s internal processes, redesign community information (website, documentation and marketing) to improve uptake, support organisations considering the process and to act as a conduit for the flow of information within the council and externally. 4. Redesign of internal processes 4.1. The existing website was basic and contained limited information. This has been upgraded to be more user friendly and provide both members of the public and interested parties with more information on the process. This will go live in early 2023. 4.2. An animation has been designed and created and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smqE8MHVh1o. 3 7
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5. Promotion of CAT processes internally 5.1. The CAT process can be complicated for colleagues and elected members who may be approached with regards to it. With this in mind, an internal short training package was produced and is hosted on the Council’s Learn-On-Line training platform which provides basic information on the process. 6. External Promotion 6.1. The CAT officer has attended a wide number of third sector network events to promote the opportunities that exist using the legislation. Strong links have been developed with key local and national agencies such as VASLAN and Community Ownership Support Services, ensuring that where possible a joined-up approach exists to support interested organisations into and through the progress. 6.2. The CAT officer hosted a recent information event in conjunction with SLLC and the SFA to provide information to over 50 individuals representing community football clubs on the CAT process and what it means to them. 7. Progress to date 7.1. South Lanarkshire wide there has been contact from over 75 organisations during the last financial year. 29 of these organisations were from the Clydesdale area. 7.2. Of these enquiries the CAT officer is currently in dialogue with 30 organisations who are interested in using the legislation. 20 of these are from the Clydesdale area. 7.3. Two applications have been submitted and approved (one from Clydesdale), and it is anticipated that a further 8 will be submitted before the end of the year, 2 of these will be from the Clydesdale area. 8. Employee Implications 8.1. There are no employee implications associated with this report. 9. Financial Implications 9.1. There are no financial implications associated with this report. 10. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 10.1 There are no implications for climate change, sustainability or the environment in terms of the information contained in this report. 11. Other Implications 11.1. There are no issues in terms of risk associated with the content of this report. 12. Equality Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 12.1. This report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to existing policy, function or strategy and therefore no impact assessment is required. Paul Manning Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) 1 March 2023 Link(s) to Council Values/Priorities/Outcomes ♦ Caring, connected, sustainable communities 8
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Previous References ♦ None List of Background Papers ♦ None Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact:- Iain Mulholland, Community Asset Transfer Officer Email: Iain.Mulholland@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 9
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Update for Clydesdale Area Committee Participatory Budgeting – Update for Area Committee Service Area Estate Improvement Budget/HIP Environmental Programme Lead Officer Claire Frew Stage 1: Pre-Consultation • What are we asking the public for their view on (what service is it / description etc)? • How much funding are we asking about? • Who are we asking, • How are we doing this? • When are we doing this? • When will we report back? Estate Improvement Budget The Estate Improvement Budget totals £40,000 and is split across the 4 housing divisions of South Lanarkshire. Each Local Housing Management Team can direct the funding towards projects or improvements highlighted as a priority by customers of Housing and Property Services. Although not a significant value, the budget is ideally suited for conversion to a participatory budgeting approach as often it funds a number of smaller projects that have been highlighted as a priority by customers. Examples of recent exercises include customer engagement on options for the type and design of new fencing and lighting. To date, three projects are being undertaken within the Clydesdale area in relation to:- • Improving the Glespin Community Garden. • Tree planting on vacant land • Improving outdoor spaces at Sheltered Housing sites. HIP Environmental Programme Engagement with tenants on the overall Housing Revenue Account budget for the 2022/2023 period, and the proposed level and focus of the Housing Investment Programme within this took place as part of the annual resource budgetary consultation process. The Environmental aspect of the Housing Investment Programme (the ‘Environmental Programme’) is a significant budget area that covers a wide range of projects that seek to improve the quality and energy efficiency of the council’s domestic housing stock. Examples of projects within this budget area can include replacement doors and windows within properties, or redevelopment of communal areas in multi-storey buildings or sheltered housing facilities. Not all projects included within this budget area are suitable for inclusion of a participatory budgeting approach, however for those that are officers will ensure the required element of choice and voting opportunities are offered to customers and appropriately recorded. To date, two projects are being delivered within the Clydesdale area in relation to:- • Improving fencing at Patterson Drive, Law • Improving the condition of vacant land managed through the Housing Revenue Account across rural Clydesdale 4 11
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Stage 2: Post Consultation • The outcome of the PB activity • What happens next? • Further reporting requirements (eg required Committee approval) Estate Improvement Budget A total of £10,000 from the Estate Improvement Budget was spent in the Clydesdale division during 2022/2023 on a range of tenant priorities. • In response to the findings from a survey of 50 local people by the Glespin and Douglas Community Council, new street furniture has been selected by residents for the Glespin Community Garden. • In line with tenant priorities, tree planting is being undertaken as part of work to improve plots of vacant land that are managed by the Housing Revenue Account. • Following a survey completed by 41 sheltered housing tenants, outdoor furniture has been purchased to encourage the use of outdoor spaces by tenants and visitors. HIP Environmental Programme A total of £150,000 from the Housing Improvement Budget was spent in line with tenant priorities in Clydesdale. • In response to local concerns about significant anti-social behaviour and discussions with the local tenants group, it was agreed to install divisional fencing at Patterson Drive. Tenants will have/have had the opportunity to select their preferred style of fence to be installed. The installation is expected to be completed in 2023/2024. • In line with tenant priorities about improving the condition of gap sites expressed through a residents survey undertaken by the Glespin and Douglas Community Council, an area of vacant land in Glespin is being used for a new community garden. Officers from Housing and Technical Resources will continue to take forward opportunities within Cambuslang and Rutherglen to ensure tenants and other customers have the opportunity to determine the outcome of budgets within the Environmental Programme and Community Safety Partnership Commissioning Budget, with further updates provided to Committee. 12
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Report Agenda Item Report to: Clydesdale Area Committee Date of Meeting: 22 March 2023 Report by: Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) Subject: Community Grant Applications/Warm Welcome Initiative 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- [purpose] request approval for the allocation of community grants to 8 community groups in the Clydesdale Area Committee area from the 2022/2023 community grant budget advise of grants awarded to community and voluntary groups/organisations in the Clydesdale Area Committee area in response to the Warm Welcome Initiative request authorisation for the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Chair, to approve further community grant applications meeting the relevant criteria in the period to 31 March 2023 from the 2022/2023 budget 2. Recommendation(s) 2.1. The Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- [recs] (1) that community grants be awarded as follows:- (a) Applicant: Lanark Community Development Trust, Lanark (CL/37/22) Purpose of Grant: Equipment Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £2,000 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £800 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (b) Applicant: Lesmahagow Community Fairies, Lesmahagow (CL/38/22) Purpose of Grant: Equipment Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £2,000 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £800 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee 5 13
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(c) Applicant: Lesmahagow Farmers’ Society, Lesmahagow (CL/39/22) Purpose of Grant: Administration and publicity costs Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £1,095 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £800 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (d) Applicant: Waterside WRI, Lesmahagow (CL/40/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing and entrance fees Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £543 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £543 Recommendation: £350 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (e) Applicant: Carluke and District Young Farmers’ Club, Carluke (CL/41/22) Purpose of Grant: Materials, administration and publicity costs Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £5,000 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £800 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (f) Applicant: Lanark Amateur Musical Society, Lanark (CL/42/22) Purpose of Grant: Administration and publicity costs Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £1,000 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £800 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (g) Applicant: Lanark Community First Responders, Lanark (CL/43/22) Purpose of Grant: Start-up costs - Equipment Identified Community Benefits: People live the healthiest lives possible Estimated Cost: £2,099 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £300 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee 14
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(h) Applicant: Lanark Tennis Club, Lanark, (CL/44/22) Purpose of Grant: Equipment Identified Community Benefits: People live the healthiest lives possible Estimated Cost: £735 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £735 Recommendation: £300 Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (2) that the award of 2 grants, totalling £1,650, to the following community and voluntary groups/organisations in the Clydesdale Area in response to the Warm Welcome Initiative be noted:- (a) Applicant: Crawford and Elvanfoot Community Council Amount Applied for: £650 Amount Awarded: £650 (b) Applicant: Leadhills Primary School Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (3) that the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Chair, be authorised to approve any further community grant applications meeting the relevant criteria in the period to 31 March 2023 from the 2022/2023 budget. 3. Background 3.1. The Council operates a community grants scheme to support local constituted community groups and voluntary organisations. All applications require to be supported by a constitution, audited accounts or annual income and expenditure accounts, a bank statement, and confirmation that the group/organisation will adhere to the conditions of the grant award. Applications are invited continually throughout the year. 3.2. The main aims of the community grants scheme are to:- fund activities and projects which bring community benefit involve people in the community by bringing them together to enjoy educational, recreational, leisure and other community activities or to improve the local environment 3.3. Support can be provided for a range of activities including administration and publicity costs, purchase of equipment and materials, annual outings and entrance fees, start-up costs and special events. 3.4. At the meeting of the full Council on 28 September 2022, it was agreed that the Chief Executive would bring forward a package of cost of living supports for agreement, in consultation with the Group Leaders, and endorsed by the Executive Committee at its meeting on 30 November 2022. This package included support for a Warm Welcome Initiative. 15
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3.5. Working in conjunction with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and community and voluntary groups and organisations, the Warm Welcome Initiative is a network of warm spaces in community settings and public buildings where members of the public are welcomed and can participate in activities and access advice and support. To support the Initiative, a small grants scheme was created offering grants to a maximum of £1,000 to cover extra costs incurred by offering a Warm Welcome. A total of £40,000 was identified for the Initiative and the monies were apportioned equally between the 4 Area Committees. 3.6. As funds were required immediately to assist in the response effort, it was agreed that applications would be considered by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources), in consultation with the relevant Area Committee Chair (or Depute) and submitted to the Area Committee for noting. 3.7. In terms of the community grants scheme, community groups would normally only be permitted to submit one application in each financial year, however, community groups that applied for funding to assist in the Warm Welcome Initiative are entitled to apply for a grant for another purpose under the scheme in the same financial year. 3.8. 2 grants were awarded to community and voluntary groups/organisations in the Clydesdale Area, totalling £1,650. With the agreement of the Leader of the Council the £1,650 would be taken from unspent Warm Welcome monies. 4. Employee Implications 4.1. None. 5. Financial Implications 5.1. The current position of the community grants for the Clydesdale Area Committee area in 2022/2023 is as follows:- Total allocation for Community Grants £25,750 Grants previously allocated £14,097 Warm Welcome Initiative grants (exceeding £10,000 allocated as agreed at Committee on 25 January 2023) £ 1,650 Community grants allocated in this report £ 4,950 Remaining balance £ 5,053 5.2 In view of the fact that this is the last meeting of the Committee in the current financial year, and to allow any further applications submitted prior to the end of the current financial year to be considered, it is proposed that the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources), in consultation with the Chair, be authorised to approve any further community grant applications meeting the relevant criteria in the period to 31 March 2023. Information on those grants awarded would be reported to a future meeting. 6. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 6.1. There are no implications for climate change, sustainability or the environment in terms of the information contained in this report. 7. Other Implications 7.1. The risk to the Council is that grant funding is not utilised for the purpose of which it was intended. This risk is mitigated by internal controls including audit procedures and conditions of grant agreement. 16
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8. Equality Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 8.1. This report does not introduce a new policy, function or strategy or recommend a change to an existing policy, function or strategy and therefore no impact assessment is required. 8.2. All the necessary consultation with the community groups has taken place. Paul Manning Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) 6 March 2023 Link(s) to Council Values/Priorities/Outcomes ♦ Accountable, effective, efficient and transparent ♦ We will work towards a sustainable future in sustainable places ♦ Caring, connected, sustainable communities Previous References Clydesdale Area Committee – 25 January 2022 Executive Committee – 30 November 2022 South Lanarkshire Council – 28 September 2022 List of Background Papers Individual application forms Contact for Further Information If you would like to inspect the background papers or want further information, please contact:- Jennifer Hilston, Clerical Assistant Ext: 4822 (Tel: 01698 454822) E-mail: jennifer.hilston@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 17
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