Agenda item

Report of the Stronger Communities Portfolio Holder

The Assistant Director Law and Governance submitted a report (previously circulated) providing Members with information on the spend and use of the Stronger Communities Fund during the 2023/2024 financial year.

The submitted report stated that Cabinet agreed the establishment of the Stronger Communities Fund in April 2021, allocating each Councillor £1,000 to deliver the objectives of the fund; and reference was made to the final spend against the £50,000 for the 2023/2024 financial year, together with information on what had been delivered in wards on an individual Councillor basis.

The report included the remaining unspent fund which totalled to £3700.30 being reclaimed by the Council.

It was reported that this Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 11 January 2023, supported the continuation of the pilot scheme in the 2024/25 financial year; reference was made to the agreement which members were required to enter into regarding the use of the funds; and that the agreement for 2024/25 specifically required Members to consider whether the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Members applies and to declare any potential declarations of interest within the signed agreement. Regarding the Scheme for this financial year it has been agreed that all applications will be approved by the Monitoring Officer.

Discussion ensued around the encouragement of all Councillors to use the full amount of the Stronger Community Fund for this year.

RESOLVED – Members noted the final spend for the 2023/24 financial year.