Review of Grant Aid

Today’s agendaToday’s agenda

Introductions

Short presentation

Group discussions

Feedback from groups

What next?

What we hope to achieve today What we hope to achieve today Is:Is:

A better understanding of the survey results.

◦ identify funding priorities for the future with less money

◦ shape proposals for future grant aid schemes

Background of current schemesBackground of current schemes

Last review in 2004

Grant schemes under review:◦ Development◦ Support◦ Support to Youth Centres◦ Ground Maintenance of Outdoor Sports

Pitches◦ Maintenance of Community Facilities

Local financial positionLocal financial position

Shetland Islands CouncilSavings of £9.9m required in 2010/11Savings of between £15m – £17m required

in 2011/12Head of Finance to review overall position –

December 2010

Shetland Charitable TrustStandstill budget in 2010/11 & 2011/12

Total grant budgets for 2010/11 = £334,246Future grant aid budgets to reduce by 15%?

Economic Benefits of Grant AidEconomic Benefits of Grant Aid

1,090 revenue grants awarded by Grants Unit in previous 5 financial years

Total project costs of £4,397,017

Total grant aid of £1,969,064

Total match funding of £2,427,953

Majority of grant aid spent in Shetland economy

Community Benefits of Grant AidCommunity Benefits of Grant Aid

Improving quality of life

Sustaining rural communities and facilities

Supporting employment throughout Shetland

Assisting individuals and groups to achieve their full potential

Encouraging lifelong learning and volunteering

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

430 questionnaires

136 responses

31% response rate

Statistics and comments received

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 1 Should financial support be made available

for individuals as well as groups?

Yes - 36.0% (49)No - 47.1% (64)Don’t know - 16.9% (23)

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 2 Should an assessment of bank balances

held by the community groups be introduced for the new grant aid schemes?

Yes - 55.9% (76)No - 29.4% (40)Don’t know - 14.7% (20)

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 3 Should future grant aid schemes continue to

prioritise funding for groups that cater primarily or exclusively for children and young people under 18 years of age?

Yes - 64.7% (88)No - 27.2% (37)Don’t know - 8.1% (11)

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 4 Should future grant aid schemes continue to

provide a higher level of funding for umbrella bodies/Associations that have an agreed development plan for their group?

Yes - 51.5% (70)No - 18.4% (25)Don’t know - 30.1% (41)

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 5 Should future grant aid schemes consider

funding to amalgamated groups for a number of different activities?

Yes - 43.4% (59)No - 17.6% (24)Don’t know - 39.0% (53)

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 6 Should future grant aid schemes continue to

prioritise funding for groups that manage community facilities in Shetland?

Yes - 69.8% (95)No - 10.3% (14)Don’t know - 19.9% (27)

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 7 What further assistance should individuals and groups

be offered in order to secure more external funding?

Main responses

More information and access to funding opportunities

More advice and assistance with completing grant applications

Continue with support and assistance of Community Work / Sport & Leisure / Grants Unit

Provide on-line database or guide on external funding

Hold regular training workshops or events to publicise funding opportunities

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 8 In the event of less funding how can grant aid

schemes benefit more people and be more effective?

Main responses

No changes - leave grant schemes as they are Reduce grant percentages and/or maximum amounts Less funding to groups with large reserves Less funding for adult groups Less paperwork: fewer schemes, simplify process, online

applications Groups to fund raise more and higher parental contributions Increased scrutiny during application process and more

emphasis on the evaluation of projects Consideration of participation levels – funding to projects with

most community benefit/people involved

Initial consultation resultsInitial consultation results

Question 9 Please use the space below to make any

other relevant comments.

Main responses Keep the grant schemes simple and minimise demands on

volunteers Eliminate the percentage based approach to funding Groups are already having financial problems Grants schemes really help communities and provide value for

money Introduce longer term funding and better financial planning Prioritise funding for remote and rural areas

What do you think?What do you think?

What happens next?What happens next?

Consultation – completed November 2010

Draft proposals – agreed December 2010

Final proposals – considered by March 2011

New grant aid schemes - April 2011