Issue - meetings

A report was presented to the Board by the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, which informed members of the project delivery of the Local Area Forums for the financial period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.

            Members were advised that Local Area Forums (LAF) provided a mechanism for Councillors to respond to community needs and aspirations. Community initiatives and projects were generated which were delivered collaboratively with other partner organisations to help secure funding from a variety of sources.

            It was reported that in 2017/18, £300,000 was allocated to the Area Forums which was allocated on a per capita basis across the seven LAF’s that covered the Borough. Details of each area’s funding, case study information and resident feedback was provided in the report to demonstrate the impact the LAF projects had for Halton’s communities. Projects funded through the LAF’s were categorised into the following key areas:-

·         Children and Youth Facilities;

·         Community Events;

·         Community Initiatives;

·         Community Resources and Equipment;

·         Improved parks;

·         Landscapes;

·         Pedestrian and Highway Improvements; and

·         Community safety.

            It was highlighted that the Area Forum budget had enabled the leverage of other grants and had secured access to funds from other bodies. Overall, an additional amount of £60,427.11 was levered in to support area forum projects providing a total spend of £275,822.59.  It was noted that for a significant part of the reporting period the Community Development Team was operating with a reduced capacity.

            The Board discussed the Section 106 agreement which was part of the previously approved incinerator planning application. It was noted that as part of the Section 106 agreement the Council received a sum of money annually to be spent on environmental schemes. Information on how the Section 106 funds were allocated was submitted to Development Control Committee (DCC). It was agreed that the last report submitted to the DCC on the Section 106 funds would be circulated to the Board for information.

RESOLVED: That the report be received.