Issue - meetings

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director.

Councillor Dick Tonge presented the report which presented a draft grants expenditure policy to Cabinet for adoption. In giving his presentation, Councillor Tonge thanked the officers for their efforts which were apparent in the quality of the report.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the need to ensure high quality outcomes from the projects grant funded; the links to the business plan and the joint needs assessments undertaken in each community area; and how performance monitoring and evaluation can be undertaken.

In response to a query in relation to grant recipients who were not registered charities and would therefore be subject to VAT, the Deputy Leader suggested that members could lobby their MP on the issue if they so wished.

Resolved

1.         To adopt the grants expenditure policy presented;

2.         To delegate to the Cabinet Member responsible for the Finance portfolio, in consultation with the Section 151 officer and the Associate Director for Corporate Function and Procurement responsibility for minor amendments provided that to do so does not alter (but gives further effect to) the executive arrangements or the principles enshrined in this policy; and

3.         To delegate to the Section 151 officer in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council responsibility for amending this policy to reflect changes in the law, to correct errors or clarify ambiguities where to do so does not alter (but gives further effect to) the executive arrangements or the principles enshrined in this policy

Reason for Decision

The adoption of the Grants Expenditure Policy will ensure best use of the limited funding to ensure both high quality outcomes for Wiltshire residents in accordance with the Council’s Business Plan and effective, efficient use of council resources.