Agenda item

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

 

Report of the Chief Executive to follow.

 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

 

The Chief Executive submitted a report asking Members to consider the future level of funding to those external organisations set out in the report, to approve the recommendations listed in the table below, and to make additional recommendations where required.

 

	Name of Organisation	Grant £	Recommendation	Savings for 2009/10
1	Age Concern, Lancashire	3,800 (no inflation)	This is match funded by the County Council. Recommended - no reduction.
2	CAB Lancaster	87,300 + £7,200 rent (no inflation)	Consider options to reduce total support to CAB’s by between £20 - 50,000
3	CAB Morecambe	88,300 (no inflation)	“          “             “            “          “
4	CVS	18,900 (including inflation)	Joint agreement with County Council.   No recommendation to date.
5	One Voice	6,000 (no inflation)	This organisation, similar to Thumbprint below, operates out of the Cornerstones in Lancaster and provides advice and support to the disabled. No recommendation to date.
6	Lune Valley Transport (Dial a Bus)	3,300 (no inflation)	Continue with grant following consideration at Cabinet on 20th January, 2009
7	Relate	6,800 rent (no inflation)	No recommendation to date
8	Rainbow Centre	2,500 (no inflation)	Joint agreement with the County Council. Recommended – no reduction.
9	Samaritans	1,500 (no inflation)	Recommended – no reduction
10	Shopmobility (Preston Community Transport)	12,900 (including inflation)	Operates mobility scooters for hire one day per week in Lancaster and Morecambe.   No recommendation to date
11	Thumbprint	4,000 (no inflation)	See One Voice at 5 above. No recommendation to date.
12	Twinning Association (includes grant of 4,100 and sundry expenses)	6,300 (including inflation)	The service level agreement requires the Twinning Association to ’assist in the organisation of cultural, sporting, socio-economic and educational exchanges, between Lancaster and its official and associated twin towns of a non-Civic nature’ and ‘to strengthen links between Lancaster and its official and associated twin towns.’ Whilst it could be argued that following the decision of Council to cancel the Youth Games for 2009 this would assist in maintaining relationships with our twin towns, the anticipated hosting of guests and assisting in arrangements for the Games in Lancaster will not now be necessary and anticipated expenditure will be reduced. Recommend withdraw funding for 2009/10 (in line with decision not to host the Youth Games in 2009).	6,300
13	Victim Support	5,000 (no inflation)	No recommendation to date.
		=======		======
	Sub Total	253,800		6,300
1	Miscellaneous Grants	7,500 (including inflation	Recommend - discontinue funding	7,500
2	Welfare Grants	4,100	This is a net figure and is match funded by the County Council but has been reduced in line with previous years spending patterns. Recommended - no further reduction.	2,600
		=======		========
	Sub Total	11,600		10,100

 

CULTURAL SERVICES

 

	Name of Organisation	Grant £	Recommendation	Savings for 2009/10
1	Dukes Playhouse	167,800	Options requested for reduction up to £75,000
2	Friends of the Storey Institute	35,000	Recommended - no reduction
3	Groundwork Trust	18,500	Agreement already terminated – adjusted in base budget.
4	Ludus	29,900	Recommended - reduce grant	10,000
5	Morecambe Music Residency	11,400	Recommended - reduce grant	5,000
6	Lancaster Lit Fest	9,100	SLA linked to the Storey Institute Recommended – no reduction
7	Community Projects	10,800	Recommended discontinue funding	10,800
		======
	Sub Total	282,500		25,800

 

PLANNING SERVICES

 

	Name of Organisation	Grant £	Recommendation	Savings
1	Heysham Heritage Centre	5,100	Officer Recommendation - Discontinue grant	5,100
2	Countryside Projects	9,600	Recommended - no reduction
3	Arnside & Silverdale AONB	13,900	Recommended - no reduction
4	Forest of Bowland AONB	7,000	Recommended - no reduction
		======		======
	Sub Total	35,600		5,100

 

 

HEALTH & STRATEGIC HOUSING

 

	Name of Organisation	Grant £	Recommendation	Savings
1	Signposts	95,300	Following the development of the Homelessness Strategy 2008-2013, the City Council resolved to put contracts with voluntary organisations out to tender to target the money much more closely on the priorities identified in the Homelessness Strategy. It is anticipated that greater value for money will be gained by one contract as opposed to the six current SLA's.  The 3 year contract to 31.3.2012 has just been awarded to YMCA/Signposts. These are the savings are as a result of this approach.	6,700
2	Portland Street Night Shelter
3	L/C Homeless Action Service
4	M/C Homeless Action Service
5	Women’s Aid
6	YMCA
		======
	Sub Total	95,300		6,700

 

 

Total of Support 2008/09

678,800

54,000

 

The options and options analysis, including risk assessment, was set out in the report:-

 

The risk in any grant reduction will be born by the individual organisations.  However, Members should be aware that some of these organisations contribute to the aims of the Sustainable Community Strategy. Officer comments are included in the tables above where appropriate.

 

Where Service Level Agreements exist, Members should be aware that any reduction in funding will result in a re-negotiation of the level of service to be provided.

 

Proposals to amend the level of funding to organisations were considered, and voted on, in turn:-

 

(Councillor Charles declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item as far at it related to the CAB, in view of her role as a member of the CAB. It was noted that Councillor Gilbert had previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item as far at it related to the CAB, in view of his role as a member of the CAB. Both Councillors left the meeting prior to consideration of matters in the report relating to their interest).

 

Regarding the CAB grant, it was moved by Councillor Mace and seconded by Councillor Archer:-

 

“(1)      That Cabinet recommends that support for the management of the two CABs be reduced by £20,000 for 2009/10 onwards in total (£10,000 reduction for each CAB).”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(5 Members (Councillors Archer, Blamire, Bryning, Kerr and Mace) voted in favour and 2 Members (Councillors Barry and Fletcher) voted against).

 

(1)        That Cabinet recommends that support for the management of the two CABs be reduced by £20,000 for 2009/10 onwards in total (£10,000 reduction for each CAB).

 

(Councillors Charles and Gilbert returned to the meeting.)

 

Regarding the grant to the CVS, it was moved by Councillor Blamire and seconded by Councillor Archer:-

 

“(2)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the CVS be reduced by £3,900 to £15,000 for 2009/10 onwards”

 

By way of amendment, Councillor Charles proposed and Councillor Mace seconded:

 

“(2)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the CVS be reduced by 50% for 2009/10 onwards”

 

Councillor Charles then withdrew the proposed amendment and Members voted as follows on the original proposition:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(2)        That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the CVS be reduced by £3,900 to £15,000 for 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding One Voice, it was moved by Councillor Kerr and seconded by Councillor Archer:-

 

“(3)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to One Voice remain the same (£6,000) for 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(5 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour, 2 Members (Councillors Blamire and Bryning) voted against and 2 members (Councillors Charles and Mace) abstained).

 

(3)     That Cabinet recommends that the grant to One Voice remain the same (£6,000) for 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding Shopmobility (Preston Community Transport), it was moved by Councillor Kerr and seconded by Councillor Archer:-

 

“(4)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Shopmobility (Preston Community Transport) be reduced by £1,000 to £11,900 for 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(8 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Charles, Fletcher, Kerr and Mace) voted in favour and 1 Member (Councillor Gilbert) voted against.

 

(4)        That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Shopmobility (Preston Community Transport) be reduced by £1,000 to £11,900 for 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding the Twinning Association, Councillor Bryning moved and Councillor Blamire seconded:-

 

“(5)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Twinning Association (£6,300) should be removed in full for 2009/10 onwards”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(8 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Charles, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour and 1 Member (Councillor Mace) voted against.

 

(5)        That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Twinning Association (£6,300) should be removed in full for 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding Miscellaneous Grants, Councillor Bryning moved and Councillor Blamire seconded:-

 

“(6)      That Cabinet recommends that support for Miscellaneous Grants be discontinued.”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(8 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Charles, Fletcher, Gilbert and Mace) voted in favour and 1 Member (Councillor Kerr) abstained.

 

(6)        That Cabinet recommends that support for Miscellaneous Grants be discontinued.

 

Regarding Welfare Grants, Councillor Gilbert proposed:-

 

“(7)      That Cabinet recommends that support for Welfare Grants be reduced by £2,600 to £1,500 for 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(7)        That Cabinet recommends that support for Welfare Grants be reduced by £2,600 to £1,500 for 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding the Dukes Playhouse, Councillor Kerr moved and Councillor Archer seconded:-

 

“(8)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Dukes Playhouse be reduced by £60,000 to £107,800 for2009/10 onwards.”

 

By way of amendment, Councillor Charles proposed and Councillor Mace seconded:-

 

“(8)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Dukes Playhouse be reduced by 50% (£83,900) for 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Councillor Charles then withdrew the amendment.

 

By way of amendment, Councillor Mace proposed and Councillor Charles seconded:-

 

“(8)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Dukes Playhouse be reduced by £75,000 to £92,800 for 2009/10 onwards.”

 

2 Members voted in favour of the amendment (Councillors Charles and Mace) and 7 Members voted against (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr), whereupon the Chairman declared the amendment lost.

 

(At this point Councillor Fletcher declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the report as far as it related to the Dukes Playhouse, in view of her role as a member of the Board of the Dukes Playhouse, and left the meeting).

 

By way of amendment, Councillor Barry proposed and Councillor Gilbert seconded:-

 

“(8)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Dukes Playhouse be reduced by £40,000 to £127,800 for 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Members then voted on the amendment:-

 

Resolved:

 

(4 Members (Councillors Barry, Blamire, Bryning and Gilbert) voted in favour and 4 Members (Councillors Archer, Charles, Kerr and Mace) voted against. The Chairman used his casting vote in favour).

 

(8)        That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Dukes Playhouse be reduced by £40,000 to £127,800 for 2009/10 onwards.

 

Members then voted on the substantive motion, as amended:-

 

Resolved:

 

(4 Members (Councillors Barry, Blamire, Bryning and Gilbert) voted in favour and 4 Members (Councillors Archer, Charles, Kerr and Mace) voted against. The Chairman used his casting vote in favour).

 

(1)               That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Dukes Playhouse be reduced by £40,000 to £127,800 for 2009/10 onwards.

 

(Councillor Fletcher returned to the meeting).

 

Regarding the Friends of the Storey Institute, Councillor Archer proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded:-

 

“(9)      That Cabinet recommends that the grants to the Friends of the Storey Institute (£35,000) and the Lancaster Literature Festival (£9,100) remain unchanged for 2009/10.”

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(9)        That Cabinet recommends that the grants to the Friends of the Storey Institute (£35,000) and the Lancaster Literature Festival (£9,100) remain unchanged for 2009/10.

 

Regarding Ludus, Councillor Blamire proposed and Councillor Bryning seconded:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £10,000 to £19,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

3 Members voted in favour of the proposition (Councillors Barry, Blamire and Bryning) and 5 Members voted against (Councillors Archer, Charles, Gilbert, Kerr and Mace) whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition lost.

 

Councillor Archer proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £15,000 to £14,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

2 Members voted in favour of the proposition (Councillors Archer and Kerr) and 7 Members voted against (Councillors Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Charles, Fletcher, Gilbert and Mace) whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition lost.

 

Councillor Gilbert proposed:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £3,000 to £26,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

There was no seconder to this proposal, which was therefore withdrawn.

 

Councillor Kerr proposed and Councillor Archer seconded:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £12,500 to £17,400 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

4 Members voted in favour of the proposition (Councillors Archer, Charles, Kerr and Mace) 4 Members voted against (Councillors Blamire, Bryning Fletcher and Gilbert) and 1 Member (Councillor Barry) abstained. The Chairman used his casting vote against, whereupon he declared the proposal lost.

 

Councillor Gilbert again proposed and Councillor Fletcher seconded:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £3,000 to £26,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

2 Members voted in favour of the proposition (Councillors Fletcher and Gilbert) 7 Members voted against (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning Charles, Kerr and Mace), whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal lost.

 

Councillor Blamire proposed and Councillor Bryning seconded:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £7,000 to £22,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

3 Members voted in favour of the proposition (Councillors Blamire, Bryning and Fletcher) 6 Members voted against (Councillors Archer, Barry, Charles, Gilbert, Kerr and Mace), whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal lost.

 

Councillor Kerr moved and Councillor Archer seconded:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £12,000 to £17,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

4 Members voted in favour of the proposition (Councillors Archer, Charles, Kerr and Mace) 4 Members voted against (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Fletcher and Gilbert, Kerr and Mace) and one Member (Councillor Barry) abstained. The Chairman used his casting vote against, whereupon he declared the proposal lost.

 

Councillor Archer moved and Councillor Bryning seconded:-

 

“(10)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £10,000 to £19,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Resolved:

 

(7 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Charles, Fletcher and Mace) voted in favour, 1 Member (Councillor Gilbert) voted against and 1 Member (Councillor Kerr) abstained.

 

(10)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Ludus be reduced by £10,000 to £19,900 in 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding Morecambe Music Residency, Councillor Charles moved and Councillor Mace seconded:-

 

“(11)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Morecambe Music Residency be reduced by £5,000 to £6,400 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

By way of amendment, Councillor Archer proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded

 

“(11)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Morecambe Music Residency be reduced by £1,400 to £10,000 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Resolved:

 

(5 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour, 4 Members (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Charles and Mace) voted against).

 

(11)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Morecambe Music Residency be reduced by £1,400 to £10,000 in 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding Community Projects, Councillor Barry moved:-

 

“(12)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Community Projects (£10,800) be removed in full in 2009/10.”

 

Councillor Barry then withdrew the proposal.

 

Regarding Community Projects, Councillor Charles then moved and Councillor Mace seconded:-

 

“(12)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Community Projects (£10,800) be removed in full in 2009/10.”

 

Resolved:

 

(4 Members (Councillors Bryning, Charles, Kerr and Mace) voted in favour, 3 Members (Councillors Archer, Fletcher and Gilbert) voted against and 2 Members (Councillors Barry and Blamire) abstained).

 

(12)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Community Projects (£10,800) be removed in full in 2009/10.

 

Regarding Countryside Projects, Councillor Fletcher proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded:-

 

“(13)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Countryside Projects be reduced by £5,000 to £4,600 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Upon being put to the vote, 3 Members voted in favour (Councillors Blamire, Fletcher and Kerr) and 6 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Bryning, Charles, Gilbert and Mace) voted against, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition lost.

 

Councillor Bryning proposed and Councillor Blamire seconded:-

 

“(13)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Countryside Projects be reduced by £3,000 to £6,600 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Resolved:

 

(7 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour, 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) voted against).

 

(13)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Countryside Projects be reduced by £3,000 to £6,600 in 2009/10 onwards.

 

(It was noted that Councillor Fletcher had previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as far as it related to the Arnside and Silverdale AONB in view of her involvement with Arnside and Silverdale AONB.  Councillor Fletcher left the meeting prior to consideration of matters in the report relating to this interest).

 

Regarding Arnside and Silverdale AONB Councillor Archer proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded:-

 

“(14)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Arnside and Silverdale AONB be reduced by £3,900 to £10,000 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

By way of amendment, Councillor Barry proposed and Councillor Gilbert seconded that:-

 

“(14)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Arnside and Silverdale AONB be reduced by £1,000 to £12,900 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Upon being put to the vote, 3 Members voted in favour (Councillors Barry, Blamire, and Gilbert) and 4 Members (Councillors Archer, Bryning, Charles, and Mace) voted against, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition lost.

 

Members then voted on the original proposition. 2 Members (Councillors Archer and Kerr) were in favour, 3 Members (Councillors Barry, Blamire and Bryning) voted against and Councillors Charles and Mace abstained, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition lost.

 

Councillor Bryning proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded:-

 

“(14)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Arnside and Silverdale AONB be reduced by £2,500 to £11,400 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(3 Members (Councillors Archer, Bryning and Kerr) voted in favour, 3 Members (Councillors Barry, Blamire and Gilbert) voted against and 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) abstained. The Chairman used his casting vote in favour.)

 

(14)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Arnside and Silverdale AONB be reduced by £2,500 to £11,400 in 2009/10 onwards.

 

(Councillor Fletcher returned to the meeting.)

 

Regarding the Forest of Bowland AONB Councillor Archer proposed and Councillor Kerr seconded:-

 

“(15)    That Cabinet recommends that the grant to the Forest of Bowland AONB be reduced by £1,000 to £6,000 in 2009/10 onwards.”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(6 Members (Councillors Archer, Barry, Bryning, Fletcher, Gilbert and Kerr) voted in favour, 1 Member (Councillor Blamire) voted against and 2 Members (Councillors Charles and Mace) abstained.)

 

(15)      That Cabinet recommends that the grant to Forest of Bowland AONB be reduced by £1,000 to £6,000 in 2009/10 onwards.

 

Regarding Heysham Heritage Centre, it was noted that the funding of £5,100 from 2009/10 onwards would be removed from the budget.

 

Regarding the Health and Strategic Housing grant, Councillor Gilbert proposed and Councillor Charles seconded:-

 

“(16)    That Cabinet recommends that the Health and Strategic Housing grant savings be noted.”

 

Members then voted:-

 

Resolved:

 

(7 Members (Councillors Barry, Blamire, Bryning, Charles, Fletcher, Gilbert and Mace) voted in favour and 2 Members (Councillors Archer and Kerr) abstained.)

 

(16)      That Cabinet recommends that the Health and Strategic Housing grant savings be noted.

 

Officer responsible for effecting the decisions:

 

Chief Executive.

 

Reasons for making the decisions:

 

The decisions were taken in the context of the budget position and the need to make ongoing savings and achieve value for money, as well as proposed priorities and the impact on service users.