Item 17 - Grant Application to Dumbarton Common Good
West Dunbartonshire Council · 24 May 2023
Back to Corporate Services Committee — 24 May 2023 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer - Resources Corporate Services Committee: 24 May 2023 __________________________________________________________________________________ Subject: Grant Application to Dumbarton Common Good 1. Purpose of Report 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide Members with details of one grant application to Dumbarton Common Good for consideration. 2. Recommendations 2.1 The Committee is asked to approve an £18,403 per annum grant for the three financial years 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 with the award to be subject to review in 2026 to consider if the grant should be continued further. The grant to West Dunbartonshire Community Food Share is predominantly to cover rental costs and a small sum of running costs for their premises which is located in Dumbarton. 3. Background 3.1 Dumbarton Common Good Fund grants are administered by 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 2023 was £668,478 as per draft accounts. 4. Main Issues Grant Applications to Dumbarton Common Good 4.1 Appendix 1 summarises the aims of West Dunbartonshire Community Food Share and advises on their current financial position. The group have requested a grant of £18,403 per annum, the Committee is asked to approve full payment of the sum requested for three years with a review to take place thereafter. 4.2 In considering this grant application officers sought legal opinion on the recommendation that the Committee should agree to fully fund the group on the basis that not all of the group’s activity takes place in Dumbarton. Legal Services have advised that, as the group is physically located in Dumbarton and the application is specifically to cover rent and running costs for premises in Dumbarton and, furthermore, lack of funding could put the future of the ITEM 17
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group at risk, the Committee would be operating within the aims of Dumbarton Common Good if it decided to award the full amount requested. This is on the basis that, if the group was unable to continue operating, this would adversely affect Dumbarton citizens. 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 the grant funding of £18,403 per annum for three years to West Dunbartonshire Community Food Share. 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.
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Laurence Slavin Chief Officer, Resources Date: 17 May 2023 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Adrian Gray, Finance Business Partner, Church Street, Dumbarton, Email: adrian.gray@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices Appendix 1 Details of Grant Application from West Dunbartonshire Community Food Share Background Papers: Grant application summary information Individual group grant applications Wards Affected: Ward 3