Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.    That the introduction of a new subsidiary fund, ‘Your Fund Surrey – Small Community Projects’ be approved.

2.    That the process, criteria and framework for Your Fund Surrey – Small Community Projects be agreed.

3.    That Your Fund Surrey (YFS) be renamed as Your Fund Surrey – Large Community Projects to enable residents to differentiate between the funds.

Reasons for decision:

The proposed improvements to the Fund build on the learning of running YFS over the past two years. Since the Fund was launched, the financial climate has changed which has shifted the focus of the fund away from the initial “think big” branding.

The objectives of allocating a portion of YFS funding for smaller-scale projects are to: 

·         Support smaller capital projects which might otherwise not have met the YFS criteria due to size or lack of wider community benefits

·         Make the process quicker, easier and more accessible for smaller community organisations 

·         Ensure every Division benefits from YFS funding

·         Utilise the local knowledge of Divisional members to identify the needs within their communities and direct their support

(The decisions on this item can be called-in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee)

The report was introduced by the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community and Community Safety who explained that there was £50k per member of the Council and that from February 2023 there was to be a simplified, faster process for smaller projects.  She also thanked the previously responsible Cabinet Member for the foundation work he had done.

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Environment requested that details of all approved project be published for all councillors in order to garner inspiration and ideas.  The Leader urged all 81 councillors to actively seek suitable projects within their communities.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the introduction of a new subsidiary fund, ‘Your Fund Surrey – Small Community Projects’ be approved.

2.    That the process, criteria and framework for Your Fund Surrey – Small Community Projects be agreed.

3.    That Your Fund Surrey (YFS) be renamed as Your Fund Surrey – Large Community Projects to enable residents to differentiate between the funds.

Reasons for decision:

The proposed improvements to the Fund build on the learning of running YFS over the past two years. Since the Fund was launched, the financial climate has changed which has shifted the focus of the fund away from the initial “think big” branding.

The objectives of allocating a portion of YFS funding for smaller-scale projects are to: 

·         Support smaller capital projects which might otherwise not have met the YFS criteria due to size or lack of wider community benefits

·         Make the process quicker, easier and more accessible for smaller community organisations 

·         Ensure every Division benefits from YFS funding

·         Utilise the local knowledge of Divisional members to identify the needs within their communities and direct their support