Decision details

The purpose of this report is to propose the establishment of a Covid-19 Special Grant Programme for the financial year 2020/21.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant financial impact on the community and voluntary sector.  The majority of charitable organisations and community interest groups were forced to cease their activities, resulting in lost opportunities to raise funds,  In addition, when their activities restarted, they experienced an increase in costs for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the cleaning materials needed to protect their members and hirers from the risk of contracting the virus.

This report proposes the establishment of a Covid-19 Special Grant Programme to help reduce the financial risk faced by these organisations.   This would provide a quick and easy application process for a one-off payment of £250, with applications open to charitable and voluntary groups across the Borough.

It is proposed that £30,000 is ring-fenced from the 2020/21 Community Funding budget to resource this special grant programme.

RESOLVED that the Executive approves the establishment of a Covid-19 Special Grant Programme for the financial year 2020/21.