Review of Grant Aid – Proposed Changes

Today’s agendaToday’s agenda

Introductions

Grant Aid schemes - proposals

Any questions?

Update on Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme

Any questions?

Grant Aid SchemesGrant Aid Schemes

Development

Support

Support to Youth Centre

Grounds Maintenance of Outdoors Sports Pitches

Maintenance of Community Facilities

Progress to dateProgress to date

Survey of community groups – September

Analyse results of survey – October

Public meetings to present results – November

Develop proposals for future schemes – December/January

Budget process - February

ProposalsProposals

Question 1: Should financial support be made available for individuals as well as groups?

No – it is proposed that individuals should not be considered for grant assistance.

ProposalsProposals

Question 2 – Should “means testing” i.e. An assessment of bank balances held by the applicant, be introduced for the new grant aid schemes?

Yes – It is proposed that community groups with bank balances in excess of £10,000 shall be asked to confirm what the funds are for. Groups with significant funds that are not specified as restricted or designated funds may not be considered for grant assistance.

ProposalsProposals

Question 3 – Should future grant aid schemes continue to prioritise funding for groups that cater primarily or exclusively for children and young people under 18 years of age?

Yes – it is proposed that all grant aid schemes should continue to prioritise funding for groups that cater primarily or exclusively for children and young people under the age of 18 years.

Proposal 4Proposal 4

Question 4 – Should future grant aid schemes continue to provide higher levels of funding for umbrella bodies/associations that have an agreed development plan for their organisation?

Yes – it is proposed that Shetland wide groups and/or umbrella organisations that have an agreed Development Plan should be able to access higher levels of funding.

ProposalsProposals

Question 5 – Should future grant aid schemes consider higher levels for groups that have amalgamated together? This might be on the basis that the member organisations would therefore not be able to apply for grant aid separately.

Yes – it is proposed that merged groups should be considered for grant aid. This proposal may initially take the form of a pilot project in financial year 2011/12.

ProposalsProposals

Question 6 – Should future grant aid schemes continue to support the running and maintenance costs of groups that manage and maintain community facilities?

Yes – it is proposed that community facilities should continue to be a priority for funding in all schemes.

ProposalsProposals

No changes are proposed to the following grant aid schemes:

Support Scheme – 50% up to £5,000Support to Youth Centres Scheme – 75% up

to £15,000Ground Maintenance Scheme – 75% up to

£6,000Maintenance of Community Facilities – 75%

up to £5,000

ProposalsProposals

The following changes are proposed to the Development Scheme:

Adult groups – 50% up to £500 Adult associations/umbrella groups – 50%

up to £1,000 Junior groups – 75% up to £1,000 Junior associations/umbrella groups – 75%

up to £3,500

ProposalsProposals

The following changes are proposed to the Development Scheme:

Adult groups applying for grant assistance towards travel costs for off island events/competitions shall only be considered for financial support if they are representing Shetland, the region or a national body.

The only exception is where the travel is for a course or an event that enables the particant(s)to make a further contribution to their group or the wider community.

ProposalsProposals

It is proposed that a new grant condition be introduced in relation to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

In 2011/12 grant condition requires groups to be working towards compliance with PVG Act.

In 2012/13 grant condition requires groups must comply with PVG Act.

More information to be presented today

ProposalsProposals

It is proposed that electronic application forms be introduced for 2011/12.

Application forms to be available on SIC website

Application forms can be emailed to Grants Unit

Reduced paperwork and more efficient processing arrangements

ProposalsProposals

It is proposed that groups in receipt of funding should provide more information when accounting for the funding.

Evidence outcomes achieved.

Details about publicity of grant award.

Submit photos, reports, or case studies.

ProposalsProposals

It is proposed that all incomplete grant applications received, must be completed within a maximum period of 2 months from the date of receipt.

Following this 2 month timescale if the grant application is still incomplete it shall be rejected.

What next?What next?All grant application form and guidelines shall

be drafted and updated with new proposals.

Proposals shall be presented to a meeting of the Council’s Services Committee on 10 March 2011.

Proposals shall be presented to a meeting of Shetland Charitable Trust on 24 March 2011.

Proposals shall be presented to a meeting of Shetland Islands Council on 23 March 2011.

New schemes implemented from 1 April 2011.

What do you think?What do you think?