Agenda Item No. 7

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Welsh Church Act Estate Committee: 8th January 2018

Report of the Managing Director

Applications for Financial Assistance 2017/18               

Purpose of the Report

1. To consider applications for financial assistance funded from the Welsh Church Act Estate and for Trustees to consider an amendment requested to a previous award.

Recommendations

1. That Committee considers and approves the applications for grant assistance as set out at Appendix A to this report.
2. That Committee considers and approves the amendment requested to the grant award for Limewashing at St. Curigs Church,Porthkerry awarded in 2016-17 as set out in paragraph 8 to this report.

Reason for the Recommendations

1/2    In furtherance of the objectives of the Trust.

Background

2. The Welsh Church Act Estate Committee has delegated authority to manage in accordance with "The Scheme" the Welsh Church Act Estate as vested in the Council.
3. The purposes for which the Welsh Church Act fund may make grants is set out in summary at Appendix B to this report.
4. The applications received are set out in Appendix A to this report.

Relevant Issues and Options

5. Appendix A to this report sets out a summary of the applications to be considered.
6. Appendix C to this report sets out the fund's revenue estimates for the current financial year.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

7. The sum of £58,000 has been provided for grants in the Trust's revenue estimates for 2017/18. It is recommended that an allocation of £17,500 is made for applications for grant assistance as set out at Appendix A to this report. This requires funding of £5,652 to be drawn down from its unrestricted reserve which is primarily held for the maintenance of its investment properties.
8. The sum of £1,500 was awarded to the Parish of Porthkerry and Rhoose on the 23rd  January 2017 as part of tranche 3 of the 2016/17 financial assistance awards. The scheme reported was to limewash the exterior of St. Curig's Church following restoration works. We have been contacted by the Church to advise that due to the high cost of delivering the scheme, work has been undertaken by volunteers of the Church reducing the costs associated with the project. A revised request for funding has been received on the basis of the cost of materials used, evidenced by supporting invoices. It is therefore proposed that the 2016-17 award is amended to £512 as set out below and a refund of £988 is requested from the Parish.

9. This would leave an estimated reserve balance of £106,348 at 31st March 2018.

Sustainability and Climate Change implications

10. There are no sustainability and climate change implications.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

11. There are no direct legal implications arising from this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

12. The funding of the voluntary sector should assist in increasing social inclusion and reducing crime.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

13. The charitable purposes for which the fund may be applied are set out in the "Scheme for the Administration of the Trust". Applicants are asked to indicate how they will address equal opportunities and how they will demonstrate this.

Corporate/Service Objectives

14. The sole concern of the Committee is to act in the best interest of the Trust.

Policy Framework and Budget

15. Not applicable

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

16. Not applicable

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

17. None

Background Papers

Letters of application and grant application forms

Contact Officer

Gemma Jones, Principal Accountant

Directorate of Resources

Tel: 01446 709152

Officers Consulted

None

Responsible Officer:

Rob Thomas, Managing Director