Agenda item

            The Director of Neighbourhood Services advised the Committee that, following approval by Council in July 2021 to deliver a £500,000 Summer Community Diversionary Festival Programme, open to successful groups awarded under the 2019 call and up to the maximum amount awarded to each group in 2019, subject to application, that all of the 2019 applicants had been contacted, to advise them of the Council decision, with an appointed officer supporting groups through the initial stages of the application process and that applications had been received from the following groups:

•                  Twaddell & Woodvale Residents Association

•                  Feile (North, South/East & West)

•                  Greater Village Regeneration Trust (GVRT)

            He informed the Members that officers had undertaken a preliminary assessment of each application against the agreed criteria and were seeking a recommendation from the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee on funding to be awarded to each group.

            The Director stated that, due to resource challenges and the significantly shortened timeframes of the application and assessment process, officers had only been able to carry out a preliminary assessment of applications and overview of the score awarded under the agreed assessment criteria.  Subject to the Committee’s approval, officers would issue each successful applicant with a letter of offer and terms of grant, similar to those issued in 2019.  Officers would support each of the applicants with the conditions of grant, based on final documentation submission, and this may result in changes to the proposed programme of works and /or a reduction of funding to individual applicants in ensuring compliance with relevant Council policies and procedures.

            Proposal

Moved by Alderman Dorrian,

Seconded by Councillor Beattie,

      That the Committee agrees to allocate the funding which had been requested by each group as follows:

•      Twadell and Woodvale Residents Association -  £84,386;

•      Feile (North, South/East and West) -                   £250,000;

•      Greater Village Regeneration Trust (GVRT) -     £37,229.

In compliance with existing Council polices and use of Council parks and open spaces, the approvals would remain subject to negotiation of satisfactory terms and conditions of use, including any relevant fees, via an appropriate legal agreement prepared by the City Solicitor, including managing final booking confirmation dates and flexibility around ‘set up’ and take down’ periods, and booking amendments, subject to the applicant resolving any operational issues to the Council’s satisfaction, compliance with Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time of the event, and that the applicant complies with all relevant statutory licensing requirements.

            On a recorded vote, 11 Members voted for the proposal and four against and it was declared carried.

            The Committee further agreed to note the contents of the letter from the NIAO and the Council’s response.

            The Senior Democratic Services Officer reminded the Committee that, at the Council meeting in July 2021, it had been agreed that authority would be delegated to the Committee to make any decisions in relation to the award of the funding and, in accordance with Standing Order 48 (a) (2) (c), that the aforementioned decisions would not be subject to call-in, on the basis that an unreasonable delay could be prejudicial to the Council’s or the public’s interest.