Stafford council continues funding six voluntary groups

The borough council currently provides financial support for Citizens Advice, Support Staffordshire – Stafford District, Staffordshire Women’s Aid, Stafford District Arts Council, Katharine House Hospice, Douglas Macmillan Hospice and Sport Stafford Borough.

It also offers £10,000 in granting funding, as part of a scheme administered by the Community Foundation, as well as providing space for the Signpost Centre in Highfields at a peppercorn (minimal) rent, a £2,000 budget towards the annual Stafford in the World event and it hosts an annual community awards event to celebrate the work of volunteers and the voluntary sector.

The current funding agreements are set to end on March 31. They are set to be replaced by proposed new agreements covering April 2020 – March 2024.

Staffordshire Women’s Aid, which receives £10,000 a year, is set to see an increase of £5,000 per annum for the next four years.

This will provide additional funding towards Warrior Girls, a project offering early intervention support for girls and young women who are vulnerable because of relationship abuse and low educational achievement. Tackling domestic abuse is also a priority for the borough in the latest Community Safety Strategic Assessment.

But the £7,000 annual funding given to Sport Stafford Borough will instead go to a new sporting grant scheme to be administered by the Community Foundation. And the service level agreement with Sport Stafford Borough, will be terminated.

A report the council’s cabinet said: “This organisation has worked tirelessly over a number of years to provide grants to up and coming sports talent across the Borough. They have provided specialist advice and guidance in relation to sports and have ensured that local talent has been celebrated through events like the annual sports awards.

“Unfortunately, over the past 12 – 18 months, the organisation has experienced some difficult times which has affected their capacity to fulfil the requirements of the service level agreement that they have with the council. Although the organisation has had a change in membership within the organisation it has been very difficult for them to achieve what has been required of them.

“The council recognises the amount of work that is required to sustain the provision of grants for sports activity going forward and also the importance of small groups having access to funding that enables the development of sport in the local area. Within the (new) proposals would be for existing members of Sport Stafford Borough to have the opportunity to apply to be part of the new Sports Grants panel that would be set up for the dissemination of the grants.

“The council would also incorporate a Sports and Culture category in the annual Community Awards to ensure that emerging local talent can be recognised and celebrated. Nominations would be submitted through the existing Community Grants process, with a recognised locally based sports leader joining the panel for that purpose.”

Financial support for the remaining five voluntary sector organisations is set to remain the same as current levels however, meaning each year Citizens Advice will receive £60,000; Support Staffordshire – Stafford District will receive £22,250 and accommodation space; Stafford District Arts Council will receive £10,000; Katharine House Hospice will receive £3,500 and Douglas Macmillan Hospice will receive £2,500.

The Stafford in the World budget will continue at the current level and from April the Signpost Centre accommodation will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Cabinet members paid tribute to the work of the voluntary sector – including Sport Stafford Borough – at their meeting on Thursday.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, cabinet member for community, said: “I thank each volunteer and voluntary sector group for everything they do within the borough which supports the quality of life that we enjoy.

“This council has considerably valued the support of the voluntary sector financially – the current arrangement we have with the voluntary sector in the past four years totalled £125,000 (a year), while other authorities and other organisations have reduced their support to the voluntary sector financially. The reason the arrangement lasts four years is to enable these groups to invest and know they will be supported by this council in the work they do.

“We thank Sport Stafford Borough for the sterling work they have done for this borough.”

Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for resources, said: “It is a shame that many of the stalwarts have reached the age they have retired and it has been very difficult to get new people to come along.

“As well as the £7,000 there is a £20,000 loan system.”

Councillor Carolyn Trowbridge, cabinet member for leisure, said: “I welcome the extra funding to Staffordshire Women’s Aid and I have to mention the work and commitment of Sport Stafford Borough, who have in the past been instrumental in giving advice to Olympic Gold Medal-winning canoeist Joe Clarke and Paralympian Ian Marsden at the early stages of their careers. (Members) put their heart and soul into this for many years, especially the excellent awards ceremonies.

“As long as we have money going into sport and health I’m very happy with this report.”