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 2019 to 31 March 2020.

            Members were advised that Local Area Forums (LAF) provided a mechanism for Councillors to respond to community needs and aspirations through the funding and delivery of initiatives and projects.  Area Forum money can also be used as ‘match funding’ to help level in additional funding from a variety of external sources.

It was reported that in 2019/20, £200,000 was allocated to Area Forums, split on a per capita basis across all seven Forums, which covered the Borough. Details of the funding for each of the LAF’s, case study information and resident feedback was provided to demonstrate the impact LAF projects had made for Halton’s communities.  Projects funded through the LAFs were categorised into the following key areas:-

·         Children and Youth Facilities;

·         Community Events;

·         Community Resource and Equipment;

·         Community Initiatives;

·         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 funds from other bodies.  Overall, an additional amount of £162,286.82 was ‘levered’ in to support Area Forum projects, providing a total spend of £413,166.98.

Arising from the discussion, it was agreed that a report would be brought to a future meeting on the impact of the forthcoming Ward boundary changes.

RESOLVED: That the report be received.