Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals relating to the establishment of a grants allocation scheme under which grants would be awarded to voluntary and community sector groups for civic projects or projects with social value to the community, run and managed through an online crowdfunding platform.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Procure an online crowdfunding platform from Crowdfunder UK and work in partnership with the organisation to deliver an initial 12-month pilot campaign, with the intention to maintain the partnership for a second year to further build capacity and mainstream crowdfunding as an alternative finance model, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(ii)  Introduce a small grants fund by establishing, using the Council’s financial reserves, a match-funding pot of £120,000 for awarding to local projects that meet criteria set by the Council;

(iii)  Agree, in principle, the draft Match-Funding Policy at Appendix 2 to the report;

(iv)  Delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Finance and Investment to agree the final Match-Funding Policy in the light of any amendments that may be required during the development / implementation phase to take account of emerging issues; and

(v)  The establishment and terms of reference of the Match-Funding Panel as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.