Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on 11 January 2024 (Minute 19 refers). By virtue of that decision, the Head of Democratic Services & Elections is authorised, in consultation with the Chairman of that Committee, to decide that Committee’s Grant Working Party’s terms of reference (including its size and composition). The Committee's Chairman agreed with the proposed decision on 6 March 2024 (by way of email to the decision maker).

In advance of this decision, invitations were sent to Members of the OSC to serve on the Working Party, invitations were also sent to Group Leaders for other nominees. With the details of nominees, consultation took place by the decision maker with the OSC Chairman and an initial meeting of the nominees was held to understand the current position on grants to Voluntary Sector/Community Groups by the Council.

To determine that a Grants Task & Finish Working Party be established with the name “Voluntary Sector/Community Groups Funding OSC Working Party” and that its terms of reference and membership shall be as set out in the attached note.

The option of not appointing a Working Party was considered and discounted based on the intentions of the decision of the Community Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) on 11 January 2024 (Minute 19 refers). Likewise, other options for the terms of reference of the Working Party were considered and discounted based on the original decision of the OSC and the views of the intended Working Party Members (including the OSC Chairman) on 22 February 2024 at which they received information on grant funding by the Council. This meeting was assisted in its deliberations by the attendance of the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Partnerships.