Agenda Document Pack - East Kilbride Area Committee - 31/01/2023
South Lanarkshire Council · 31 January 2023
Back to East Kilbride Area Committee — 31 January 2023 and its agenda
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Council Offices, Almada Street Hamilton, ML3 0AA Monday, 23 January 2023 Dear Councillor East Kilbride Area Committee The Members listed below are requested to attend a meeting of the above Committee to be held as follows:- Date: Tuesday, 31 January 2023 Time: 14:00 Venue: Hybrid - Council Chamber, 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 Archie Buchanan (Chair), Geri Gray (Depute Chair), John Anderson, Mathew Buchanan, Gerry Convery, Margaret Cooper, Joe Fagan, Grant Ferguson, Gladys Ferguson-Miller, Elise Frame, Susan Kerr, Hugh Macdonald, Monique McAdams, Elaine McDougall, Kirsten Robb, Dr Ali Salamati, Graham Scott, David Watson 1
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BUSINESS 1 Declaration of Interests 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting Minutes of the meeting of the East Kilbride Area Committee held on 1 November 2022 submitted for approval as a correct record. (Copy attached) 3 - 6 Item(s) for Noting 3 Loaves and Fishes, East Kilbride Verbal presentation by L Davidson, Chairperson, Loaves and Fishes, East Kilbride 4 Community Asset Transfer Update Report dated 10 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources). (Copy attached) 7 - 10 5 Participatory Budgeting - Education Resources - Pupil Equity Funding Report dated January 2023 by the Executive Director (Education Resources). (Copy attached) 11 - 20 6 Participatory Budgeting - Housing and Technical Resources - Estate Improvement Budget/HIP Environmental Programme Report dated January 2023 by the Executive Director (Housing and Technical Resources). (Copy attached) 21 - 22 7 Update on Town Centres Report dated 17 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources). (Copy attached) 23 - 26 Item(s) for Decision 8 Community Grant Applications - Warm Welcome Initiative Report dated 17 January 2023 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources). (Copy attached) 27 - 32 Urgent Business 9 Urgent Business Any other items of business which the Chair decides are urgent. For further information, please contact:- Clerk Name: Helen Calley Clerk Telephone: 07385 370069 Clerk Email: helen.calley@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 2
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EAST KILBRIDE AREA COMMITTEE Minutes of meeting held via Microsoft Teams and in Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton on 1 November 2022 Chair: Councillor Archie Buchanan Councillors Present: Councillor John Anderson, Councillor Mathew Buchanan, Councillor Gerry Convery, Councillor Margaret Cooper, Councillor Joe Fagan, Councillor Elise Frame, Councillor Geri Gray (Depute), Councillor Susan Kerr, Councillor Hugh Macdonald, Councillor Elaine McDougall, Councillor Kirsten Robb, Councillor Ali Salamati, Councillor Graham Scott, Councillor David Watson Councillors’ Apologies: Councillor Grant Ferguson, Councillor Gladys Ferguson-Miller, Councillor Monique McAdams Attending: Education Resources L Mitchell, Lead Officer Finance and Corporate Resources S McLeod, Administration Officer; L Wyllie, Administration Assistant 1 Declaration of Interests No interests were declared. 2 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting of the East Kilbride Area Committee held on 23 August 2022 were submitted for approval as a correct record. The Committee decided: that the minutes be approved as a correct record. 3 Education Resources – Participatory Budgeting - Pupil Equity Funding A report dated October 2022 by the Executive Director (Education Resources) was submitted on Participatory Budgeting (PB) in relation to Pupil Equity Funding (PEF). An update was given on PB activity within Education Resources in 2021/2022 which highlighted that:- a video showing the work of PB within Education Resources in 2021/2022 had been shared locally and nationally lead officers had presented the Council’s PB journey at PB Scotland’s National Conference on 28 September 2022 Education Resources had submitted an award application to the International Observatory on Participatory Democracy for the Best Practice Award for Citizen Participation. The application highlighted the success of PB in schools during 2021/2022. The evaluation phase for the award was currently underway a PB section had been developed within a new Equity Hub, an online site to provide schools with support and resources to assist in tackling the poverty related attainment gap 2 3
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PB activity in 2022/2023 was also detailed in the report which highlighted that:- prior to the summer holiday period, Head Teachers had been asked to allocate a minimum of 5% of their 2022/2023 PEF allocation and identify a staff member to lead/facilitate this activity in their school refreshed PB training had been developed and delivered to Head Teachers and PB Leads Head Teachers had subsequently identified the percentage of their 2022/2023 PEF allocation they wished to allocate to PB in 2022/2023 Schools within the East Kilbride area had allocated £139,957.05 of their £2,037,860 PEF allocation for PB. A breakdown of the allocation for each learning community was provided in Appendix 1 to the report. Appendix 2 to the report summarised the percentage of PEF which schools had allocated for PB. A further school-by-school breakdown was outlined in Appendix 3 to the report. PB stakeholder groups, comprising pupils, parents and staff, were currently leading the PB process in their schools. The outcome for each school was reported to Education Resources in early October 2022. Information on the outcome of the process would be shared at future Area Committee meetings. Education Resources would provide Area Committees with the following information:- a summary report of each school’s PB outcome and local authority and area analysis report of this case studies of school activity, which had particular impact/success a detailed Local Authority 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 Lead Officer (Equity) responded to members’ questions. The Committee decided: that the report be noted. [Minutes of 11 August 2021 (Paragraph 5)] Councillor Cooper entered the meeting during this item of business 4 Community Grant Applications A report dated 17 October 2022 by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) was submitted on applications for community grant to be met from the 2022/2023 budget. The Committee decided: that community grants be awarded as follows:- (a) Applicant: East Kilbride Art Collective (EK/26/22) Purpose of Grant: Start-up costs Amount Awarded: £300 (b) Applicant: East Kilbride Flower Club (EK/27/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing Amount Awarded: £300 4
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(c) Applicant: Climate Action Strathaven (EK/28/22) Purpose of Grant: Materials Amount Awarded: £600 (d) Applicant: 20th East Kilbride Guides (EK/29/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing Amount Awarded: £300 (e) Applicant: Duncanrig Rambling Club, East Kilbride (EK/31/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing, administration and publicity costs Amount Awarded: £360 5 Urgent Business There were no items of urgent business. 5
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Report Agenda Item Report to: East Kilbride Area Committee Date of Meeting: 31 January 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, 1 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 2-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. 4 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 Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (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 South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) and the Scottish Football Association (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. 13 of these organisations were from the East Kilbride area. 7.2. Of these enquiries the CAT officer is currently in dialogue with 30 organisations who are interested in using the legislation. 5 of these were from the East Kilbride area. 7.3. Two applications have been submitted and approved, and it is anticipated that a further 5 will be submitted before the end of the year. Two of these are from the East Kilbride 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 risk or sustainability issues 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) South Lanarkshire Council 10 January 2023 8
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Link to Council Objectives/Values Caring, connected, sustainable communities 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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Agenda Item Participatory Budgeting Update for East Kilbride Area Committee January 2023 Service Area Education Lead Officer Laura Mitchell 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? Progress update since last Area Committee Participatory Budget Allocation: As reported at the last East Kilbride Area Committee, schools within the East Kilbride area have collectively allocated £139,957.05 (approximately 7%) of their £2,037,860 PEF allocation for participatory budgeting (PB). Appendix 1 shows a breakdown of this for each of the learning communities. Appendix 2 summarises the percentage of PEF allocation that schools have allocated for participatory budgeting – 43% of schools have allocated the minimum 5% of their PEF budget, whilst 57% of schools have allocated more than this. Reported Outcome The Participatory Budgeting Stakeholder Group in each school has led the PB process in their school with the consultation now complete. Appendix 3 outlines the outcome of the vote for each school. Appendix 4 shows the distribution of spend across the East Kilbride Area. Appendix 5 outlines the distribution of votes by stakeholders across the East Kilbride area. Next Steps Schools are now progressing with their spend, to ensure the minimum 5% is spent in full by end of March 2023. The central Equity Team is available to help schools navigate any challenges they face to ensure a full spend before the end of the financial year. Stage 2 : Post Consultation • The outcome of the PB activity • What happens next? • Further reporting requirements (eg required Committee approval) Following the voting, Education Resources will provide Area Committees with the following:- - Summary Report of each school’s PB outcome (available late October/early November) and Local Authority and Area analysis report of this - Case studies of school activity, which has had particular impact/success (ongoing throughout the year) - Detailed Local Authority Financial Report of how PEF money allocated for PB has been spent (May/June 2023) Education Resources will support schools with implementation of this and monitor and track the impact of this activity. Findings will inform any future PB activity within Education Resources. Regular PB Updates and the highlighting of good practice will be communicated to schools via the Equity Hub and through our @SLCEquity Twitter handle. 5 11
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Appendix 1: 12
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Appendix 2: 13
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Appendix 3: 14
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Appendix 4: 18
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Appendix 5: 19
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Agenda Item 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, 5 projects have been undertaken within the East Kilbride area in relation to: • improving bin areas in Quebec Drive and Bell Green West • installing benches in communal gardens at multi-storey blocks • improving the drying area at Kinross Park • replacing the communal path and stairs at Brisbane Terrace Strathcona House and Bosfield Place Sheltered Housing Complexes 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. 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. During 2022/2023, 2 participatory budgeting projects have been undertaken within the East Kilbride area from within this budget. As part of an internal upgrade programme, residents at the Strathcona House and Bosfield Place Sheltered Housing Complexes were offered the opportunity to determine a range of finishes such as flooring, tiles and wall coverings with an initial meeting held to explain the process. Officers prepared ‘mood boards’ with the relevant styles on them and completed door visits or sent letters to all households within the complex asking them to select their preferred option. 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 £11,373 from the Estate Improvement Budget was spent in the East Kilbride division during 2022/2023 on a range of tenant priorities. 6 21
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• Following feedback from tenants that bins were rolling down the hill into neighbouring streets and damaging cars, wooden palisade fencing was installed around the drying and bin areas at Quebec Drive • Following a participatory budgeting exercise, improvements were made to communal gardens at Dunlop Tower, Lister Tower and Fraser Rover Tower by installing benches • In response to a series of complaints from tenants, the old bin store at Bell Green West was removed • The communal path and stairs at Brisbane Terrace were replaced • The grass at the Kinross Park drying area was excavated to be replaced with chips/slabs Strathcona House and Bosfield Place Sheltered Housing Complexes A total of 67 households at Strathcona House and Bosfield Place took part in the exercise on the internal upgrades, with 65% of people voters selecting the preferred option. The total costs for the projects were £421,646. Officers from Housing and Technical Resources will continue to take forward opportunities within the East Kilbride area 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 at a later date. 22
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Report Agenda Item Report to: East Kilbride Area Committee Date of Meeting: 31 January 2023 Report by: Executive Director (Community & Enterprise Resources) Subject: Update on Town Centres 1. Purpose of Report 1.1. The purpose of the report is to:- [purpose] update members on the activity currently being undertaken in town centres across the East Kilbride area. [1purpose] 2. Recommendation(s) 2.1. The Committee is asked to approve the following recommendation(s):- [recs] (1) that members note the current activity across the town centres [1recs] 3. Background 3.1. The nature of town centres across the UK is in a transitional stage. The range of issues involved in the challenges town centres are facing are broad and complex. Factors such as the economic downturn, internet shopping, the growth of out of town shopping malls, changes in retailers’ business models and consumer expectations have resulted in a decline in footfall. 3.2. Some of the issues are local and specific to individual towns, however, many are issues seen across the country influenced by wider economic patterns, consumer behaviour and corporate decisions. Supporting town centres remains a Council priority and officers continue to work in partnership with groups and organisations in each town to achieve our common goals. 3.3. The role town centres have in our communities is significant and therefore their role cannot be overstated. Town centres support and contribute to people across our communities whether this is to access essential services, visiting for shopping or enjoying leisure time. 3.4. Around 70% of businesses and jobs in the economy are located in town centres and they are the principal location for leisure and hospitality. They retain a vital social importance as a meeting, events and performance space. 3.5. Across the 10 towns defined in the South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (LDP) there is active and ongoing engagement with the most appropriate groups in the town. These range from town to town and include Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Development Trusts, Community Councils and private property owners. 7 23
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3.6. Town Centre strategies and action plans have been prepared and approved for Hamilton, Cambuslang, Larkhall and Blantyre with work now underway in Rutherglen. Similar plans are being progressed by the communities in Lanark and Carluke along with the master planning work by the owners of East Kilbride. 3.7. These strategies and action plans are closely aligned with the Government approach to town centres captured in the New Future for Scotland’s Town Centres report and action plan. 3.8. Officers in Economic Development are working with all key stakeholders across our towns and have commissioned 2 key pieces of work to set the direction of the Council’s work around town centres going forward. These will inform and align with existing and emerging funding opportunities around town centres. Town Centre Visioning – this will set out how the Council delivers on the strategic aims and objectives at a local level. As noted above, while all towns have similar challenges, the solutions are not always the same. This work will set out how the Council, communities and partners should deliver meaningful and sustainable change within our town centres through a series of projects and action plans. Transition to Net Zero – town centres are major contributors to pollution and although a number of early wins have been achieved, the ways to deliver long term meaningful and sustainable reductions are complex and not always palatable to business or customers. This work will set out a practical approach to working towards net zero across our towns. 4. Town Centre Activity 4.1. East Kilbride The centre has gone through a challenging period over the last 18 – 24 months. Along with the challenges faced around COVID-19 and the changes in shopping patterns, the centre has been called in by the bank, who funded the previous purchase and has subsequently been put into administration. 4.2. With each change of ownership a new team of asset managers has taken responsibility for the centre and given the scale and complexity of the asset, it has taken some time for them to familiarise themselves with the asset, issues and appropriate strategy. 4.3. Throughout these challenging times, officers have kept regular contact with both the Asset Management Team and the Local Management Team. At all times, these discussions have been positive and the commitment by the asset managers to the future of the town centre is without doubt. 4.4. The centre was put into administration on 16 November 2022. Meetings have taken place between the administrator, the asset managers and senior officers of the Council to update on the process and how they intend to proceed. The administrator has been keen to emphasis that the centre will continue to trade and they are committed to working with all parties to secure a positive future for East Kilbride. 24
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4.5. The Team is at the early stages of its familiarisation process but has retained many of the consultants who have been working on the master planning for the last 18 months. This has kept a level of consistency and officers believe this is a sensible approach which will lead to a future strategy being in place in the shortest timescale possible. 4.6. At the time of drafting this report, officers have not met with the Team since the Christmas break, however, there is a commitment to meet on an approximately 4- weekly basis to drive forward the master planning work. While officers do not yet have a completion date for this work, we understand it is likely to take in the order of 6 months to complete. The Team has been clear that there will be adequate time built into the process to allow appropriate consultation on proposals with both elected members and the wider community. 4.7. While the administration process is not the route anyone would have chosen for the centre, it is hoped that it will bring a period of renewed focus on the future of the centre and allow a clear and deliverable future for the town centre to be put in place. 4.8. Strathaven The Strathaven Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) has completed its 5 years of funding from Historic Environment Scotland. The last elements of the final projects are being completed and the final financial claims being signed off. This project has been challenging for all involved but the commitment of the community group working closely with officers has led to many positive outcomes. 4.9. The town was also successful in securing funding from the town centre capital fund for the development of the Thomson Suite in the Town Mill and provision of a tourist information point in the town centre. It was also part of the first phase of towns involved in the development of the Inside Out app along with Stonehouse. The app gives communities a free online platform to promote their town centres and community activity. 4.10. As can be seen from above, there is significant and ongoing activity across the town centres in the East Kilbride area and officers in Enterprise and Sustainable Development would be keen to explore further opportunities with groups across our communities. 5. Employee Implications 5.1. There are no employee implications from the information set out in this report 6. Financial Implications 6.1. There are no financial implications from the information set out in this report. All projects and spend referred to will be subject to separate approvals as appropriate 7. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Implications 7.1. Climate change and working to net zero is at the heart of all the work on town centres as we seek to deliver sustainable town centres which support liveable neighbourhoods. 8. Other Implications 8.1. All town centres face a challenging set of circumstances. It is essential the Council plays a full and active role in the future of or town centres. Not doing so will result in continued decline and greater demands on limited resources. 25
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9. Equality Impact Assessment and Consultation Arrangements 9.1. Our town centres have to be available for all across our communities. We continue to work and consult with a broad range of groups across our communities and as noted above the work involved in improving our town centres will be subject to wide consultation. David Booth Executive Director (Community and Enterprise Resources) 17 January 2023 Link(s) to Council Values/Priorities/Outcomes Ambitious, self-aware and improving Fair, open and sustainable We will work towards a sustainable future in sustainable places We will work to recover, progress and improve Good quality, suitable and sustainable places to live Thriving business, fair jobs and vibrant town centres 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 Ross, Project Manager, Enterprise and Sustainable Development E-mail: Iain.ross@southlanarkshire.gov.uk 26
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Report Agenda Item Report to: East Kilbride Area Committee Date of Meeting: 31 January 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 5 community groups in the East Kilbride Area Committee area from the 2022/2023 community grant budget advise of grants awarded to community and voluntary groups/organisations in the East Kilbride Area Committee area in response to the Warm Welcome Initiative 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: East Kilbride and District Indoor Bowling, Club, East Kilbride (EK/32/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £600 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £350 Recommendation: £300 (£300 bowling club) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (b) Applicant: XRR Mountaineering Club, East Kilbride (CL/33/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £500 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £500 Recommendation: £300 (£300 other sporting group) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee 8 27
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(c) Applicant: Claremont Rambling Club, East Kilbride (EK/34/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing, administration and publicity costs Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £1,000 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £1,000 Recommendation: £480 (£300 other sporting group plus 60% of £300 administration and publicity costs) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (d) Applicant: Sandford WRI, Strathaven (EK/35/22) Purpose of Grant: Outing and entrance fees Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £1,000 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £350 Recommendation: £350 (£350 outing and entrance fees) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (e) Applicant: Friends of Stonehouse Park, Stonehouse (EK/36/22) Purpose of Grant: Equipment, administration and publicity costs Identified Community Benefits: Caring, connected, sustainable communities Estimated Cost: £500 Total Eligible Grant Applied for: £500 Recommendation: £300 (60% of £500) Amount Awarded: To be determined by the Committee (2) that the award of 11 grants, totalling £10,500, to the following community and voluntary groups/organisations in the East Kilbride Area in response to the Warm Welcome Initiative be noted:- (a) Applicant: East Kilbride West Kirk Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (b) Applicant: St Andrew’s Methodist Church, East Kilbride Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (c) Applicant: Trust Jack Foundation, Stonehouse Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (d) Applicant: The Village Centre, East Kilbride Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 28
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(e) Applicant: Calderwood Baptist Church, East Kilbride Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (f) Applicant: Avendale Old Parish Church, Strathaven Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (g) Applicant: Healthy and Active in East Kilbride Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (h) Applicant: Strathaven Ruby Club Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (i) Applicant: Stonehouse Business Association Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (j) Applicant: East Kilbride Moncrieff Parish Church Amount Applied for: £1,000 Amount Awarded: £1,000 (k) Applicant: Coffee, Chat and Company, East Kilbride Amount Applied for: £500 Amount Awarded: £500 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. 29
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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 1 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. A total of 11 grants were awarded to community and voluntary groups/organisations in the East Kilbride Area, totalling £10,500. As the total exceeded the budget of £10,000, with the agreement of the Depute Chair, the additional £500 would be met from the existing community grants budget for 2022/2023. 4. Employee Implications 4.1. None. 5. Financial Implications 5.1. The current position of the community for the East Kilbride Area Committee area in 2022/2023 is as follows:- Total allocation for Community Grants £25,750.00 Grants previously allocated £11,776.40 *Warm Welcome Initiative grants (exceeding £10,000 allocated) £500.00 Community grants allocated in this report £1,730.00 Remaining balance £11,743.60 * as referred to in paragraph 3.8 above 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. 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. 30
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Paul Manning Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Resources) 17 January 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 East Kilbride Area Committee – 1 November 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 31
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