E.45/22
Members were presented with a
report that provided an update on the Partnerships currently
receiving funding from the Council and were asked to consider the
merits of extending funding for a further two years.
In the ensuing discussion, the
following points were raised:
a) In reply to a question, a local
Ward Member was encouraged to instruct the Ivybridge Museum to sign up to the South West
Museum Development Trust. In addition
to providing guidance and support, a further benefit of the Trust
was that it was able to source and draw down additional external
funding;
b) A Member specifically welcomed
the proposal to continue to financially support the Ivybridge Ring and Ride organisation. In so doing, the Member felt that the organisation
carried out a vital role to many constituents in the western part
of the South Hams;
c) A Member expressed his
disappointment over the work of the South Devon Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit, particularly regarding the timing (and
often lack) of written reports being submitted to the
Council’s Development Management (DM) Service on relevant
planning applications. The Member
proceeded to question the value for money that was being received
by the Council for its annual funding contribution. In reply, some other Members felt this criticism
to be harsh and it was acknowledged that the additional grant
funding proposed would help to fund a post within the AONB Unit to
support the DM function. At this point,
an addition to recommendation 3 was PROPOSED and
SECONDED. The addition
sought to add that the proposed Service Level Agreement with the
South Devon AONB should be agreed by the Executive prior to the
approval of the funding extension. When put to the vote, this
addition was declared CARRIED.
It was then:
RESOLVED
1.
That the positive
contribution of the Council’s key funded partners in
supporting our ambitions as set out in our Corporate Strategy,
Better Lives for All, be noted;
2. That Council be RECOMMENDED to agree to extend the funding for the following
key partners for a further two years as follows:
- SW Museum Development Trust -
£4,000;
- Ivybridge Ring and Ride -
£5,710; and
- South Hams CVS -
£10,000;
3. That Council be RECOMMENDED to agree an increase in funding for each of the
next two years in recognition of additional activities being
delivered for the following partners:
- Citizens Advice South Hams
– £70,867 (an increase of £10,000 per annum funded from Covid-19
vulnerability grant underspend);
-
South Devon AONB - £28,749
(an increase of £8,000 per annum), subject to a Service Level
Agreement (being prior agreed by the Executive) in respect of
focused support to meet the demand of South Hams District Council
Development Management Service; and
4. That
officers be required to work with Newton Abbot Ring and Ride to
request further information about the service provided within the
district and, if appropriate, then consider an updated
application.