Item 15 - Various Grant Applications to Dumbarton Common Good
West Dunbartonshire Council · 2 November 2022
Back to Corporate Services Committee — 2 November 2022 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer - Resources Corporate Services Committee : 2 November 2022 __________________________________________________________________________________ Subject: Various Grant Applications to Dumbarton Common Good 1. Purpose of Report 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide Members with details of three grant applications to Dumbarton Common Good for consideration. 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Committee is asked to approve the renewal for a further 3 years of the £36,000 annual grant to Bellsmyre Development Trust. 2.2 The Committee is asked to approve the permanent increase of £2,730 to the existing grant paid to cover the cost of the annual Levengrove Fireworks Display from 2023-24 and to note that prior approval has been given for the increase in 2022-23. The Committee is also asked to approve future increases in this budget to cover increased costs up to a ceiling of £20,000 at which time a report will be brought to Committee seeking permission to increase beyond the proposed ceiling. 2.3 The Committee is asked to note that an annual grant of £50,000 to be paid as a contribution to the annual Pipe Band Championships held in Levengrove Park, commencing 2023-24 will be included in the budget report to council in March 2023. 3. Background 3.1 Dumbarton Common Good Fund grants are administered by the West Dunbartonshire Council and are reported to the Committee as and when applications are received. 3.2 The value of fund as at 31 March 2022 was £581,312. 4. Main Issues Grant Applications to Dumbarton Common Good 4.1 At a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council held on 27th November 2019 members agreed to provide an annual grant to Bellsmyre Development Trust of £36,000 to cover three operational years from February 2020 until January 2023. Bellsmyre Development Trust are applying for a continuation of this ITEM 15
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arrangement for a further three years subject to the renewal of the service level agreement which also expires in January 2023. Appendix A summarises the aims of the group and advises on their current financial position. Committee is asked to approve an extension of the grant payment at a maximum of £36,000 per annum for the period from 1st February 2023 to 31 January 2026. 4.2 Dumbarton Common Good has provided an annual grant of £9,050 to fund the annual Fireworks Display held at Levengrove Park. The Chief Officer for Citizen, Culture and Facilities, has advised that the current grant is no longer sufficient to cover the cost of the event and has requested that the budget be increased by £2,730 to £11,780 which will be sufficient to cover the current cost. As the 2022-23 event in question will occur only 3 days after the date of the committee meeting prior approval was sought and given by the Chief Executive and Convenor of the Committee. Members are asked to note that prior approval for 2022-23 has been given and to approve the permanent increase to the grant from 2023-24. Members are also asked to agree that this budget can increase further in line with increased costs up to a ceiling of £20,000 at which time a new report would be brought before members seeking permission to exceed the proposed ceiling. 4.3 The Chief Officer for Citizen, Culture and Facilities has enquired whether Dumbarton Common Good can provide funding as a contribution towards the annual Pipe Bands Championship held in Levengrove Park. The council’s Events budget is under pressure and the amount it currently provides towards the Pipe Band Championships is insufficient to cover the current cost and a loss of income being experienced by the event. The request is to provide £50,000 per annum from 2023-24 financial year. This request will be included in the 23-24 budget report for a council decision on its inclusion. Members are asked to note this request will feature in the budget report to council in March 2023. 5. Option Appraisal 5.1 No option appraisal was required for this report. 6. People Implications 6.1 There are no people implications. 7. Financial and Procurement Implications 7.1 It is recommended that members agree to a 3 year continuation of the grant funding arrangement of £36,000 per annum to Bellsmyre Development Trust with a revised Service Level Agreement in place until 31 January 2026. 7.2 Approval has been agreed prior to the committee meeting to increase funding to Annual Fireworks display by £2,730 with the increased annual grant being £11,780 from 2022-23 financial year. It is recommended that members agree to the permanent increase of £2,730 from 2023-24 and also agree to a ceiling
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of £20,000 being placed on this budget to accommodate future increases in running costs. 7.3 It is recommended that members note that an annual grant of £50,000 to Pipe Band Championships commencing 2023-24 financial year will be included in the budget report to Council in March 2023. 8. Risk Analysis 8.1 The Council must consider financial and reputational risks when considering grant applications. The financial risk is not only that the Council and Common Good Fund remain within budget, but also that the organisations funded by the Council and the Common Good Fund are both viable in the long term and comply with the Conditions of Grant which cover issues such as discrimination, health and safety, insurance, etc. 9. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 9.1 No equalities impact assessment was required in relation to this report. 10. Environmental Sustainability 10.1 No assessment of environmental sustainability was required in relation to this report. 11. Consultation 11.1 Legal and Financial Officers have been consulted in preparing this report. 11.2 All organisations are consulted regarding recommendations of grant prior to the report being submitted to Committee. 12. Strategic Assessment 12.1 Proper budgetary control and sound financial practice are cornerstones of good governance and support Council and officers to pursue the 5 strategic priorities of the Councils Strategic Plan. Laurence Slavin Chief Officer, Resources Date: 17 October 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Adrian Gray, Finance Business Partner, Church Street, Dumbarton, Email: adrian.gray @west-dunbarton.gov.uk
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Appendices Appendix A: Details of Grant Application Background Papers: Grant application summary information Individual group grant applications Wards Affected: Ward 3