To approve East Lindsey Investment Fund budget allocation of £1m to support community development across the East Lindsey district through the GRASSroots scheme, in partnership with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation.

1)    That £1m from the East Lindsey Investment Fund be allocated  to support the expansion of (and administration of) the successful LCF GRASSroots scheme.

2)    That the s151 in conjunction with the Assistant Director Strategic Growth and Development be delegated authority to agree the final split of resources required as an addition to the budget in respect of revenue and capital.

3)    That it be noted that the administration of this will be undertaken by the team currently delivering the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural Prosperity Fund Programmes.

A report was presented to consider approval for the East Lindsey Investment Fund budget allocation of £1m to support community development across the East Lindsey district through the GRASSroots scheme, in partnership with the Lincolnshire Community Foundation.

During his introduction of the report, the Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy highlighted that the £10m East Lindsey Investment Fund had been established to support the priorities of making East Lindsey’s places welcoming, supporting events and attracting visitors, community development, and supporting business growth.  The programme was focussed on delivery and was committed to an inclusive and collaborative approach to benefit the whole district and work in partnership with communities, town and parish councils and local businesses.

To support the priority theme of community development, a budget allocation of £1m would bolster the grant funds available to communities across the East Lindsey district by extending the current GRASSroots programme.

Lincolnshire Community Foundation had administered the successful GRASSroots scheme since its inception through UK Shared Prosperity Funding and a further allocation of funds would provide continued investment into rural communities.

The Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and Rural Economy added that to date 63 grants had been awarded resulting in 16 community facilities being either created or renovated, with a further 25 in progress and the outcomes were now being seen in the communities.  A vast array of groups had submitted bids for the funding and he hoped that many hamlets and villages in rural areas continued to benefit from the scheme.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning stated that he was very happy to support the scheme which empowered smaller communities to apply for investment for the betterment of their rural areas.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure & Culture and Carbon Reduction added that it was a great opportunity and was very supportive of the scheme as it was helping communities of every size and showed good leadership on the Council’s behalf.

In conclusion, the Leader of the Council stated that the outcomes to date were impressive and this would continue to be built on, benefitting the smallest communities.

RESOLVED

1)    That £1m from the East Lindsey Investment Fund be allocated to support the expansion of (and administration of) the successful LCF GRASSroots scheme.

2)    That the s151 in conjunction with the Assistant Director Strategic Growth and Development be delegated authority to agree the final split of resources required as an addition to the budget in respect of revenue and capital.

3)    That it be noted that the administration of this will be undertaken by the team currently delivering the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural Prosperity Fund Programmes.

Reason

Considerations and conclusions for this investment are made within the text of this report, including the options appraisal below.

Other Options

Option 1 - Proceed as per the recommendation of this Report.

Under this option there will be an expansion of the successful LCF GRASSroots grant funding scheme, leading to an increased number of projects delivered locally, resulting in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48