Shazia Hussain, Service Head Culture, Learning and Leisure presented the report which concerned a request for continued delegation of Events Fund awards to the Service Head Culture, Learning and Leisure to enable the programme of events, under a monthly cycle of applications, to be administered effectively and grants issued in a timely manner.

The Chair invited Councillor Saunders to comment on the proposals and she indicated that she supported the proposals which should be implemented and reported in an open and transparent manner.

Commissioners were concerned that:

1.    The grants should be used for purposes/events that were in sympathy with Mayor’s Key Strategic Priorities.  They decided that a primary clause should be included in the application criteria that no applications may be considered for funding where the purpose of the event did not support the Mayor’s Key Strategic Priorities.

2.    That use of this funding should be reported transparently. They therefore asked that a quarterly report of events funded be made to the Commissioners Decision Making Meeting.

RESOLVED

1. That it be agreed that delegated authority to approve Event Fund awards remain with the Service Head for Culture Leisure and Learning.
2. That a quarterly report of awards be made in arrears to the next nearest Commissioners Decision Making Meeting.

3.    That it be agreed that the existing monthly cycle of applications be retained.

4.    That a primary clause be included in the application criteria that no applications may be considered for funding where the purpose of the event did not support the Mayor’s Key Strategic Priorities.