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58 (3) LEISURE SERVICES GRANTS – The Service Director Asset Management and Culture submitted a report for consideration of revisions to the award criteria for Sports Grants and Aid to Communities Grants.

There were currently four separate grant aid schemes. The Arts Grant Aid scheme fund had been recently reviewed, and there were no plans to change the Community Centre Grant Aid scheme.

Changes were proposed to both the Sports Grant Aid and the Aid to Communities schemes. Details of options were set out in the report.

The preferred option for the Sports Grant Scheme – Groups was to improve the amount of funding available to groups in the Sports Grant scheme to 90 per cent of project costs with a maximum grant normally available of £600. This would bring the scheme into line with the Arts Grants and help encourage a greater number of potentially successful projects.

The preferred option for Sports Grant Scheme – Individuals was to agree to keep the normal maximum grant at £250, this option took into consideration budget limitations and the desire to support as many talented athletes from North Lincolnshire as possible.

The preferred option for Aid to Communities Grants was to improve the amount of possible funding available in the Aid to Communities grant scheme up to a maximum of 90 per cent of project costs with a maximum possible grant available of £15,000. Also that the maximum possible grant shall normally be £15,000, excepting for projects with a total capital cost in excess of £60,000 where applicant groups could be eligible for one grant of up to £30,000 in any five-year period. There was no restriction on the number of smaller grants a group could apply for, but priority may be given to groups who had previously not received support from this programme.

This option took into account the difficulties some groups had in achieving match funding and the consequences in under utilisation of available resources. By approving a larger number of smaller grants, the impact of the programme effectiveness in helping community groups achieve council and community priorities would be improved.

It was also proposed to change the name of the grant scheme. The grant name had caused some confusion over the last year, as, despite clear criteria and guidance, groups perceived a wider remit for support to general community projects.

Resolved – (a) That approval be given for the amount of funding available to groups in the Sports Grant scheme to be 90 per cent of project costs with a maximum grant normally available of £600, (b) that the maximum grant of £250 for Sports Grant Scheme – Individuals be maintained, (c) that the Aid to Communities grant scheme be up to a maximum of 90 per cent of project costs with a maximum possible grant available of £15,000, (d) that the maximum possible grant shall normally be £15,000, excepting for projects with a total capital cost in excess of £60,000 where applicant groups could be eligible for one grant of up to £30,000 in any five-year period. There is no restriction on the number of smaller grants a group may apply for, but priority may be given to groups who have previously not received support from this programme, and (d) that the name of the Aid to Communities grant scheme be changed to Leisure Capital Grant Programme to more clearly indicate its purpose.

59 (4) GRANT AID APPLICATIONS JULY 2009 – The Service Director Asset Management and Culture submitted a report giving details of the different leisure grant aid schemes in existence, and seeking approval of an application for financial assistance.

Resolved – That the applications be dealt with as follows: