Contacts: Helen Wheeler Ext: 5444 [email protected]

Stuart Dorward Ext: 6110 [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions were sought:

i. That the report be accepted subject to the following amendment:

Paragraph 5.1 last bullet point to read: "the final decision on all grant applications should be made by the Executive Member on the advice of officers and with the benefit of the views of the local member and where appropriate lead members of all parties"

ii. That there be no pooling of grants, therefore separate subject budget heads will remain.

iii. That no agreement will exceed three years.

iv. That there be a central point within the Recreation & Heritage department for receipt of applications.

2 Reasons

2.1 Following an internal review and discussion with members at a seminar in February, initial proposals for improving the overall management of Recreation and Heritage partnership funding and support arrangements were made in a formal report to the Policy Review Committee and Executive Member in May this year. Members agreed that these should be the subject of wider consultation with partner organisations and other interested parties. This consultation took place between June and September this year.

2.2 The consultation has established that there is general agreement that the majority of the proposals have benefits for the County Council, the organisations it supports and the people they serve. The accompanying report therefore contains firm recommendations on changes. If approved, these will be implemented over the course of next year.

2.3 Partnership funding and support is a fundamental part of the County Council's delivery of Recreation and Heritage services. The proposals for developing these arrangements will therefore contribute indirectly to Aims 1 to 4 of the Corporate Strategy (Maximising Life Opportunities, Stewardship of the Environment, Achieving Economic Prosperity, Building Strong and Safe Communities) and directly to Aim 5 (Improving Services). They also support the aims of the Cultural Strategy.

3 Other options considered and rejected - not applicable

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker, or other Executive Member consulted - none

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable

6 Reasons for matter being dealt with, if urgent - not applicable

Approved by: (Signature) Date: (of decision)

................................. .........................

Councillor J. Waddington