Decision details

The Local Member Grants Scheme was introduced in 2006 and provides each County Councillor with a budget of £2,000 to support voluntary, community and faith sector groups in their local area (electoral division). The scheme supports a variety of community activities that benefit members of the public in a Councillor's electoral division.

The principles and guidance for Local Member Grants established when the scheme was first introduced, has allowed Councillors to carry-forward a maximum of £250 of unspent funds into the next financial year.

Parliament's approval of recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in November 2016 has resulted in a change to the electoral divisions in Lancashire. These changes will take effect at the County Council's elections on 4 May 2017. In light of this, changes to the guidance issued to County Councillors are recommended for the rest of the 2016/17 financial year to allow the process to be fair, ensuring that all County Councillors following the elections receive a new, equal budget of £2,000.

County Councillor Jennifer Mein, the Leader of the County Council approved the following:

(i)  That, for the remainder of the 2016/17 financial year, the guidance for Local Member Grants be amended so that the usual £250 carry-forward permitted to Councillors does not apply.

(ii)  That any unallocated funding as at 31 March 2017 be transferred to the Local Initiative Fund for the relevant district for 2017/18 

(iii)That, for the remainder of the 2016/17 financial year, the guidance for Local Member Grants be amended so that a single one-off award per Councillor of less than £100 be permitted. 

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order 34(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the County Council's responsibilities. The reason for this is to give County Councillors as much notice as possible for them to spend any unallocated funds left in their budget for the financial year 2016/17.