Agenda item

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Langhorn)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Community Engagement to advise members of the LDLSP Management Group’s proposals for the allocation of the one-off Performance Reward Grant.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Cabinet were advised that 4 initiatives needed to be addressed.  These initiatives were about more than funding projects that deliver benefits– they were about investing in new approaches to delivering services in the long-term.

·          The focus on hydroelectricity would facilitate the development of long-term renewable energy initiatives that will leverage initial investment AND provide a long-term benefit for local communities.

·          The ‘warm homes’ matched funding was designed to maximise LSP investment to create a substantial grant pot that wouldl last for several years, and as a trial the work would support increased inward investment across the county

·          The social enterprise initiative aimed to create self-sustaining service delivery and enhance the potential of local organisations in supporting their local communities.

·          The fund finder initiative would not only aim to bring in the original PRG funding figure of £1 million to the district, but might improve the ability of organisations to successfully bid for their own funds in future.

PRG was a one-off opportunity and these initiatives were designed to ensure that it would meet partner expectations and deliver a lasting legacy in the district. Potential initiatives that would benefit from the unallocated PRG monies were currently being considered by the LSP and authorisation for any proposed use of this will be sought in a subsequent report to Cabinet  

Members were minded to consider the LDLSP proposals in the context of the current economic climate, which is placing considerable pressure on public sector budgets and on many services provided or financed by the public sector.   As an example, the provision of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s) in the district was currently under threat as a result of financial pressures.   It might therefore be appropriate to request that the LDLSP reviews its proposals for the use of PRG funds in the light of the current economic situation to ensure that funding is allocated against the most current district priorities and can achieve maximum impact.

Councillor Langhorn proposed, seconded by Councillor Kerr:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

By way of an amendment, which was accepted as a friendly amendment by the proposer and seconder of the original proposition, Councillor Blamire proposed a further recommendation:

“That a request be made to the Chair of the LDSLP Management Group to convene a special meeting of the Management Group prior to the Budget Council meeting in early March to review the LDLSP's spending priorities both in respect of PRG funding and any future second homes funding.”

Councillors then voted on the proposition, as amended:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet note the extra PRG of £169,062 allocated to each district.

(2)        That the decision to take part in the cross-district feasibility study on hydroelectricity sites be approved and the revenue budget be updated to included £30,000, with £15,000 being released as soon as possible, and further development of hydroelectricity schemes being subject to further detailed appraisal and:

§         Confirmation of sites to be included in the feasibility study

§         Confirmation that proposed schemes represent value for money

§         Confirmation that all related match funding to progress proposed schemes are in place

§         Access to reports produced as a result of the feasibility study in relation to the sites in the Lancaster District

(3)        That the LDLSP Management Group’s proposals to use PRG funds for warm homes, social enterprises and co-operative fund finder initiatives are noted but that the LDLSP is asked to review their spending priorities in the light of the current economic climate and pressure on public sector budgets.

(4)        That a request be made to the chair of the LDSLP Management Group to convene a special meeting of the Management Group prior to the Budget Council meeting in early March to review the LDLSP's spending priorities both in respect of PRG funding and any future second homes funding.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Reasons for making the decision:

The current economic climate is placing considerable pressure on public sector budgets and on many services provided or financed by the public sector.   The request for a special meeting of the LDLSP Management Board to review its proposals  prior to Budget Council in March will provide clarification, for example with regard to the possible funding of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s), the provision of these in the district being currently under threat as a result of financial pressures.