Agenda item

To formally agree the schemes to be funded through the Ward Committee for 2012/13 (to view the schemes for the ward go to www.york.gov.uk/wards/)

(i)           Community Contracts

Residents were informed of proposed community contracts.  The contracts were agreements between ward committees, the community, council departments and other organisations that provided services.  The content of the contracts would include a profile of the ward, specific challenges that it faced and the ward priorities.  It would also detail how residents could engage and be involved in ward activities.  It was hoped that this information would also be available electronically so that information about the ward was easily accessible.

Some residents raised concerns about the costs of producing the contracts, as well as the need to look more closely at the content.  They were advised that the contracts would be mainly web based with hard copies available in libraries and community centres and in a format to meet a particular need such as impaired sight. 

It was agreed that officers would meet with parish councils to discuss the proposed contracts prior to further consideration being given to the contracts at the next ward committee meeting.

(ii)          Changes in Ward Funding Arrangements

It was noted that ward funding had now been divided into three components:

·        Ward budgets – to commission local voluntary and community organisations to meet identified needs.

·        Other voluntary sector support – funding to support those voluntary sector organisations that provide services to more than one ward committee.

·        Ward credits – to be allocated to identified wards to be used to commission new services, either from within the council or from other partners.

Decisions on the voluntary sector support would be made by Your Consortium – the criteria they would use in their decision-making was available on the council’s website.  There would be a focus on building capacity and on innovation.  Information about the changes to funding had been sent to parish council clerks. 

(iii)        Double Taxation

An update was given on the situation in respect of double taxation.  Details were given of the savings that the council was seeking to make.  A review was to take place later in the summer and the findings would be reported to the Cabinet Member.  Any changes would be implemented from April 2013 and hence there would be no impact in the current financial year.

Details of two funding pots that Parish Councils could access were described.  Information on the situation in respect of double taxation would be circulated to parish councils and a  further “Tell Me More” session would also be arranged for those wanting more detail.

(iv)        Ward Committee Funded Schemes 2012/13

[Councillor Aspden declared a personal interest in this item as a Governor of St Oswald’s Primary School, Fulford, a member of Fulford Parish Council, a member of Fulford Show committee and a member of Fulford in Bloom]

Details were given of the schemes to be funded through the ward committee for 2012/13.  The £2,780 was to be allocated as follows:

·        £150 to Beekeepers After School Club and Holiday Play Scheme to purchase sporting equipment

·        £240 to Fulford Show for a climbing wall

·        £1000 to Fulford in Bloom for floral improvements

·        £1390 into a community chest – applications were to be invited from other ward based community groups in the Heslington Ward.

RESOLVED:       That the allocation of ward funding, as outlined above, be approved.

REASON:           To enable ward grant funding to be allocated to local ward schemes for the following year.