The Chair invited Zena Cooke, Corporate Director of Resources to introduce the report which concerned a proposal to reallocate funding from the previous Community Faith Buildings Support Scheme as set out in the report.  The new scheme would support the Council’s priorities and be reviewed at the end of its second year.

The Chair invited the Mayor and Councillors present to comment on the report and they indicated that they supported the proposals.  Councillor Pierce noted that Overview and Scrutiny Committee had expressed concern regarding the impacted of the termination of the previous scheme in some areas of the Community.

Commissioner Max Caller noted that the new scheme should not preclude application from faith groups and was satisfied that the new process provided a regularised framework for the grant.

The Chair noted that a further report would be made.

RESOLVED

1.    That the proposals to reallocate the funding of approximately £2.276m previously set aside for the Community Faith Building Scheme be noted. 

2.    That the following reallocation be noted:

·         A total of £300k (£100k per year for three years) for the council’s existing Historic Buildings Grant scheme; and

·         A total of £1.976m to be allocated to deliver property related actions arising from the Community Buildings review and support the Voluntary and Community Sector action plan.

3.    That the proposed approach in terms of advice, information and guidance to the 47 organisations that applied for round 2 CFBSS funding be noted.