Agenda item

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

 

“1         Relevant Background Information

 

1.1       The Development Department manages a significant grant funding programme to a range of clients enabling community and cultural organisations to make a real difference in people’s lives and to the success of the city.  Our grant funds are a crucial enabling resource towards achieving the goals laid down in our Departmental and Corporate Plan.

 

1.2       In 2010/2011 the Department dispensed £4 million in grants to organisations across the city.  While we are obviously much more than a grant-maker, we must seek out how best to use our grant-making function to build on assets and opportunities, to encourage self reliance and social responsibility and to overcome the obstacles to economic growth.

 

1.3       The departmental grant programme is managed across two service areas and includes a range of small and larger grant investments.  The small grant schemes are subject to application and are allocated competitively against agreed criterion.  The grant programme for 2011/2012 is operating within current procedures and it is intended to continue this approach in 2012/2013 in advance of any potential new small grant programme. 

 

1.4       This report relates primarily to the portfolio of larger grants across the department.

 

-  Community: Revenue Grant, Capacity Building Grant and

   Advice Services

-  Economic Initiatives:  Culture and Arts Annual and Multi

   Annual Funding

 

1.5       All programmes in the larger grant category are fully committed for the current financial year.  Decisions are now pending on how we progress the programme for the period from 1st April 2012.

 

1.6       The SP&R committee are currently reviewing grant funding on a corporate basis.  They hope to report related appropriate findings and recommendations with a view to a planned implementation across council from April 2013.

 

2          Key Issues

 

2.1       During the intervening period there have been significant changes in the strategic environment across all our work areas.  There is no doubt that the current economic climate and budgetary pressures facing the entire public sector within Northern Ireland will result in a reduction in many of the traditional grant schemes to the sector.  It is likely that we will see very significant change to current support arrangements with an emphasis on rationalisation and the ending of current contracts to be replaced with more targeted support arrangements.  Central government have also indicated their intent to explore Social Impact Bonds and alternative finance sources, including philanthropic sources, and to help voluntary and community organisations ease their dependency on government grants. 

 

2.2       BRO are reviewing their approach to Neighbourhood Renewal investment in the region. 

 

2.3       Council officers are continuing to liaise with officials at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to gauge opportunities in relation to the recently established £80million Social Investment Fund and the proposed Social Protection Fund that will assist those most in need within our wider community.  While the specifics of both funds are still unclear, it is important that we assist government to identify what we feel the priorities should be.

 

2.4       Economic Initiatives has been working closely with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI)  Whilst there have been cuts to their budgets, ACNI are working with clients to streamline their funding programmes, supporting the sector to develop 3 year business plans which will receive a three year package of funding.  This will support the sector to address budget cuts at a strategic level.  There are further cuts due to ACNI budget over the next few years but a forecast increase in lottery revenue will help to cover that deficit.  Over 90% of the clients that BCC funds also receive funding from ACNI and therefore it is important that there is co-operation and that added value is created for both agencies and not duplication of effort or funding. 

 

2.5       Alongside these regional initiatives, Belfast City Council are reviewing their approach to support in a number of programme areas.  Our emerging Community Development Strategy, and preliminary work on a Neighbourhood Assets Strategy, demonstrates our commitment to working in partnership to secure the necessary resources to make things happen set alongside a greater focus on delivery against targeted outcomes at both a city and neighbourhood level.

 

2.6       A Steering Group comprising of senior representatives from Belfast City Council (BCC), Department for Social Development (DSD), Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO) and DSD Voluntary and Community Unit (VCU) was established to oversee a review into the way in which Community Development / Infrastructure services were supported across Belfast.  The Group are considering how these could be better integrated and improved to ensure that the best possible impact is made with the funds administered in this area.  This work will inform how BRO, VCU and BCC might work more collaboratively and effectively in the area of Community Development/ Infrastructure in the period up to the transfer of functions under RPA.  (abbreviation needed)

 

2.7       The project recognises the need to simplify current processes and target the limited resources available in a more cost effective way.  The number of different funding streams, each supported by its own administrative process leads to limited co-ordination as well as potential duplication and displacement of activity on the ground both within the community and voluntary sectors and within and between BCC/DSD.  The evidence indicates that the needs of local communities could be better met with a restructuring of the current arrangements.  It is anticipated that recommendations from the group will inform funding post 2013 but with opportunities to pilot collaborative approaches in the interim period.  This review will impact on the Community Services larger grant programme, that is, Capacity, Revenue and Advice & Information Services.

 

2.8       Economic Initiatives through the work of the Tourism, Culture and Arts Unit is currently reviewing Belfast’s Integrated Cultural Strategy.  The previous strategy was adopted in 2007 and runs for 4 years.  A new environment now exists for culture and arts organisations in the city, new venues such as the Lyric, An Culturlann and the Mac have opened (or due to open shortly), the economic climate has impacted on public sector funding and income through ticket

 

sales e.g. audience figures have in some instances declined, tourism remains a strong sector and there are opportunities to increase visitors by promoting greater access to the arts and in turn contribute to the sustainability of organisations. Engagement has commenced with the sector and a draft plan is due to the presented to committee in November 2011.  This plan will require a minimum of 8 weeks consultation in line with BCC’s equality screening and therefore it is unlikely that any changes to how the culture and arts organisations are funded will be ready for implementation before February/ March 2012.

 

            Conclusion

 

The outcomes from these various pieces of work will add value to our grant funding programme.  The timescale for conclusion will dovetail with and tie in with the overall corporate timescale of the grant project. 

 

2.9       We therefore suggest an interim period (2012/2013) in order to allow time to align our grant programmes to any new corporate strategy, to the outcomes of the collaborative DSD/ BCC pilot and the new Integrated Cultural Strategy.  

 

2.10     In order to facilitate this, we suggest that committee agree 12 month extensions to our current portfolio of larger grants across the department as follows:

 

2.11     - Advice & Information Services

            - Revenue Grant

            - Capacity Support Grant

            - Culture and Arts Annual Fund

 

This approach will minimise disruption to funded groups in that any anticipated changes to our grant programme and related systems will be managed in an integrated, and hopefully simplified, approach.  That is, changes to assessment criteria, systems and processes, etc, coming from these distinct pieces of work will be implemented in line with the recommendations coming forward from the corporate grants project.

 

2.12     As part of the review of our consortia approach to Advice & Information support, Committee requested that Officers re-evaluate the allocation equation which informs current investment.  This work is underway and a further report will be tabled for Committee consideration and agreement in advance of 2012/13 grant committal.

 

Estimates for 2012/13 include sufficient funds to cover the necessary resources to extend contracts for a further 12 months.  All awards will continue to be subject to receipt of business plans and appropriate monitoring returns.

 

3          Resource Implications

 

Estimates for 2012/13 include sufficient funds to cover the necessary resources to extend contracts for a further 12 months. 

 

- Multi Annual Funding  £697,264

- Annual Funding  £301,835

- Revenue Grant £818,097.85

- Capacity Grant £651,331.00

- Advice and Information £825,619.38

 

4          Recommendations

 

            Committee are requested to:

 

(i)        Note the contents of the paper.

(ii)      Agree to continue the current Small Grant programme

         and related procedures for 2012/13.

(iii)     Agree to 12 month extensions to all grant contracts subject to receipt of business plans and appropriate monitoring returns.

 

 

                                            

 

 

Appendix 1

 

Multi-Annual and Annual Funding 2012/2013

proposed grants to organisations

 

Multi-Annual Funding	Proposed (standstill) Grant 2012/2013
Beat Initiative	£34,330
Belfast Community Circus	£34,330
Belfast Exposed	£31,209
Belfast Festival at Queen’s	£68,920
Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival	£30,300
Cinemagic	£31,209
Crescent Arts Centre	£34,330
Féile an Phobail	£30,300
Grand Opera House	£34,330
Linen Hall Library	£42,912
Lyric Theatre	£37,971
New Belfast Community Arts Initiative	£34,070
Northern Visions	£31,209
Old Museum Arts Centre	£41,352
Ulster Orchestra	£149,283
Young at Art	£31,209
TOTAL	£697,264
Annual Funding	£697,264
AislingGhear Theatre Company	£3,000
Andersonstown Traditional & Contemporary Music School	£4,000
ArtsEkta	£6,521
Belfast Film Festival	£28,851
Belfast Print Workshop	£6,250
Beyond Skin	£3,000
Bruiser Theatre Company	£8,823
Cahoots NI	£5,228
Catalyst Arts	£3,000
Community Arts Forum	£20,604
Creative Exchange	£3,000
Culture Night Belfast	£10,000
CultúrlannMcAdam Ó Fiaich	£8,742
Dance United NI	£3,500
East Belfast Arts Collective - Engine Room Gallery	£3,000
Festival of Fools	£11,164
Golden Thread Gallery	£8,043
Green Shoot Productions	£3,000
Kabosh Theatre	£13,785

 

 

 

 

Kids in Control	£13,005
Maiden Voyage Dance Company	£3,500
Moving on Music	£18,286
Music Theatre 4 Youth – MT4Uth	£3,060
New Lodge Arts	£4,030
Oh Yeah Music Centre	£3,500
Open Arts	£3,000
Open House Traditional Arts Festival Limited	£10,579
Primecut Productions	£12,057
Queen Street Studios	£5,250
Queen's Film Theatre	£12,000
Ransom Productions	£3,523
Replay Productions Ltd	£11,832
Source / Photoworks North	£3,060
Streetwise Community Circus Workshops	£6,166
Tinderbox Theatre Company	£17,572
Wheelworks	£8,499
Youth Action Northern Ireland	£9,405
TOTAL	£301,835

 

Appendix 2

Revenue Grants Award 2012

Groups	Area	Award 2011/12	Budget 2012/13
An Munia Tober		£17,116.06	£17,116.06
Annadale And Haywood Residents Association	South	£2,245.00	£2,245.00
Ardcarn	East	£3,219.88	£3,219.88
Ardmonagh	West	£8,196.07	£8,196.07
Artability	West	£6,390.27	£6,390.27
Ballymac	East	£8,196.07	£8,196.07
Ballysillan Forum	North	£6,584.96	£6,584.96
Belfast Education and Library Board (Clarawood C.A.)		£9,440.97	£9,440.97
Belfast Islamic Centre	South	£5,675.97	£5,675.97
Benview	North	£13,610.16	£13,610.16
Blackie	West	£18,733.86	£18,733.86
Bloomfield	East	£8,698.37	£8,698.37
Bridge	East	£18,733.86	£18,733.86
Cancer Lifeline	North	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Cara Friend	South	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Cavehill	North	£3,084.05	£3,084.05
Chinese Welfare Association	South	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Clara Park	East	£7,579.02	£7,579.02
Cliftonville Community Group	North	£8,196.07	£8,196.07
Concerned Residents Upper Ardoyne	North	£3,574.63	£3,574.63

 

           

 

 

Groups	Area	Award 2011/12	Budget 2012/13
Divis Joint Development Committee	West	£8,196.07	£8,196.07
Donegall Pass Community Forum	South	£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Empire	South	£7,961.89	£7,961.89
Falls Womens Centre	West	£17,122.75	£17,122.75
FASA	North	£2,135.66	£2,135.66
Feile	West	£6,584.97	£6,584.97
First Step Drop in Centre	North	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Forthspring Community Group	West	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Glen Parent Youth Group	West	£18,733.86	£18,733.86
Glenbank	North	£8,196.07	£8,196.07
Glencairn	West	£3,341.66	£3,341.66
Glencolin Residents	West	£3,463.29	£3,463.29
Greater Village Regeneration Trust	South	£1,036.21	£0.00
Hannahstown Community Association	West	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Highfield Residents Trust	West	£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Holy Trinity Centre	West	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Hubb Community Resource Centre	North	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
Indian Community Centre	North	£6,584.97	£6,584.97
IonadhUibh Eachach	West	£6,584.97	£6,584.97
Ligoniel Family Centre	North	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
LINK	West	£7,075.54	£7,075.54
Lower Andersonstown Mothers Support	West	£3,746.12	£3,746.12
Lower Castlereagh Community Group	East	£2,294.90	£2,294.90
Lower Oldpark Community Association	North	£7,780.40	£7,780.40
Lower Shankill Community Association	West	£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Markets	South	£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Marrowbone	North	£8,196.07	£8,196.07
Mid Skegoneill	North	£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Mount Vernon	North	£13,440.37	£13,440.37
Neighbourhood Development Association	West	£3,512.61	£3,512.61
Newhill	West	£18,732.84	£18,732.84
Newtownards Road Womens Group	East	£18,733.86	£18,733.86
North BelfastWomens Initative and Support Project	North	£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Oak	East	£1,917.89	£1,917.89
Oasis	East	£18,733.86	£18,733.86
Sailortown Regeneration Group	North	£4,500.00	£4,500.00
Sandy Row Residents Association	South	£2,801.00	£2,801.00
ShankillWomens Centre	West	£17,132.42	£17,132.42
Shore Cresent	North	£2,470.52	£2,470.52
Short Strand Drugs Awareness	East	£3,360.39	£3,360.39
St James Community Forum	West	£7,086.53	£7,086.53
Stadium Projects	West	£7,231.20	£7,231.20
STAR	North	£8,196.07	£8,196.07
Sunningdale	North	£7,203.17	£7,203.17
Sydenham	East	£3,746.78	£0.00
Tar Anall	West	£6,584.97	£6,584.97

 

 

 

Groups	Area	Award 2011/12	Budget 2012/13
The Midland Social and Recreational Association		£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Turf Lodge Residents Association	West	£3,746.78	£3,746.78
Upper Andersonstown Community Forum	North	£18,732.68	£18,732.68
Walkway Community Association	East	£13,640.61	£13,640.61
Wandsworth	East	£6,439.77	£6,439.77
West Belfast Cultural and Athletic	West	£1,217.71	£1,217.71
Westland	North	£6,029.96	£6,029.96
Whitecity	North	£14,620.61	£14,620.61
Whiterock/Westrock	West	£7,238.31	£7,238.31
Willowfield Parish	East	£11,333.03	£11,333.03
WindsorWomens Centre	South	£6,584.97	£6,584.97
Sub-total		£594,587.84	£589,804.85
Independent centres
LORAG			£55,182.71
Ballymacarrett			£55,182.71
Roden Street/Grosvenor			£55,182.71
Denmark			£20,806.00
Percy Street			£8,829.24
Carrickhill			£33,109.63
Sub-total			£228,293.00
TOTAL REVENUE			£818,097.85

Appendix 3

 

Capacity Support proposed grant allocations 2012/2013
Capacity	Proposed (standstill) grant 2012/2013
Taughmonagh Community Forum	£49,665.00
Greater Village Regeneration Trust	£30,000.00
Belfast South Community Resource Centre	£44,950.00
Falls Community Council	£49,665.00
Ballynafeigh CDA	£49,665.00
South City Resource & Development Centre	£35,500.00
Upper Springfield Resource Centre	£33,110.00
Roden Street Community Group	£38,000.00
Engage with Age	£5,000.00
Ashton Community Trust	£45,116.00
Women's Support Network	£11,000.00
East Belfast Community Development Agency	£49,665.00
Greater Shankill Community Council	£33,110.00

 

                                           

 

 

Capacity	Proposed (standstill) grant 2012/2013
Ligoniel Improvement Association	£33,110.00
Short Strand Community Forum	£33,110.00
Falls Partnership Initiative	£30,000.00
Lower North Belfast – allocation pending	£49,665.00
Sub-total	£620,331.00
Play Resource Warehouse	£31,000.00
TOTAL	£651,331.00

 

Appendix 4

Advice and Information Grant 2011/12 Allocation
Advice & Information	Proposed (standstill) grant 2012/2013
CAB North	78058.71
Ardoyne Association (NBAP)	147589.80
SuffolkAndersonstown CAB	4810.25
Ballynafeigh CD Assn	106750.49
CAB East	69425.23
EBIAC	69425.23
Neighbourhood Dev Assn	38551.13
Springfield Charitable Assn	54547.56
Falls Community Council	17158.94
Corpus Christi Services	29569.23
Falls/Shankill CAB	65237.36
SuffolkAndersonstown CAB	51446.27
Greater Turf Lodge Residents	10478.81
CAB Central	59782.93
Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre	22787.44
TOTAL	£825,619.38

 

            The Community Services Manager and the Head of Economic Initiatives answered a number of Members’ questions in respect of the report and clarified the Council’s legal position in agreeing to extend funding for all grant contracts for a further twelve-month period. In response to a query regarding the Department’s ability to consider further applications for funding from new Groups not included within the current grant-aid programme, the Head of Economic Initiatives indicated that she was confident that sufficient resources existed to meet such requests. 

 

 

 

After further discussion, it was

 

Moved by Councillor Ó Muilleoir,

Seconded by Councillor Maskey, and

 

      Resolved – That the Committee agrees to adopt the recommendations and notes that, subject to the identification of suitable Departmental resources, a report would be submitted for consideration in respect of the establishment of a new culture and arts funding initiative for 2012/2013 and beyond.