Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member Finance

Having declared an interest in this item Councillors McKinlay and Whyborn left the room and therefore did not participate in the debate.

The Cabinet Member Finance introduced the report and explained that as part of this council’s ambitions to support a thriving voluntary and community sector, the council enabled VCS groups to rent its properties through offering a rent support grant scheme.

A revised rent support grant scheme was adopted in December 2016 by council with four outcomes as set out at paragraph 1.3 of the report. The policy permitted these groups to apply for a rent support grant either at the start of a lease or at the time of a rent review. An annual monitoring process was in place whereby recipients of these rent support grants must submit a monitoring form to explain the activities that have been delivered from the premises; this information would be reviewed by the AMWG. 

The Cabinet Member went on to explain that Gloucester and District Citizens Advice Bureau had under the criteria scored a 56% rent support grant. CAB provided an invaluable service to some of the most vulnerable residents in the town and she proposed that the additional discretionary amount of 10% be awarded. She highlighted that the outcomes and outputs that were detailed in their application stood testament to the absolute need to help sustain the CAB service in Cheltenham.

The Cabinet Member then reported that St Margaret’s Hall Users Group had under the scoring criteria scored a 72% rent support grant, and she proposed that an additional discretionary amount of 10% be awarded in recognition that activities being provided out of St Margaret’s Hall played a critical role in sustaining community life in Hatherley and Warden Hill.

With regards to the remaining two applications from the Hesters Way Neighbourhood Project, the Cabinet Member stated that, subject to Cabinet agreement, these would be deferred until the June Cabinet. She explained that additional information had been received and she wished to discuss with the relevant officer who was on annual leave and the relevant organisation prior to seeking Cabinet approval.

Members welcomed the proposals and expressed their pride in being able to support voluntary organizations to such a level which was unique in Gloucestershire and beneficial to the town. A question was raised as to the effect the Place Strategy would have on how this process was undertaken in the future. In response the Cabinet Member Finance explained that this had been acknowledged and it was important to review the policy to ensure that the criteria and outcomes expected linked to both. She informed that the Asset Management Working Group would have a monitoring role to play in assessing the success of the new policy.

RESOLVED THAT

1.    The following rent support grants be agreed :

·         St Margarets Hall Users Group-St Margarets Hall : A rent support grant of 82 % of the current market rent totalling £11,070

·         Glos and District CAB-3 St Georges Place : A rent support grant of 66% of current market rent totalling £6,600

2.    The Strategy and Engagement Manager be authorised to enter into rent support grant agreements with the applicants.