2017-11-07 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                 7 NOVEMBER 2017


2                        ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                              Economic Development Advisor, Carolyn Bullen
                                    Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index                               ECM/Subject/Economic Development Grants

Attachments                         1.    Economic Development Grants Policy
                                    2.    Economic Development Grants Program Guidelines
                                    3.    Community Grants Policy, Amended

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Economic Development Advisor to the Services &
Organisation Committee meeting dated 7 November 2017 and:
A.                       Adopt the Economic Development Grants Policy as set out in Attachment 1 to the report;
B.                       Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to conduct the first round of the Economic
                         Development Grant Program from 1 December 2017 in accordance with the Economic
                         Development Grant Program Guidelines provided at Attachment 2; and
C.                       Approve amendments to the Community Grants Policy that removes reference to the
                         Economic Development Grant Program as set out in Attachment 3 to the report.

REPORT
Background
Council approved the introduction of the Economic Development Grant Program, at its Ordinary
Meeting of 18 August 2016 and authorised the Chief Executive Officer to:
                       Conduct the first round of the Economic Development Grant Program from 1 September
                         2016 in accordance with the Economic Development Grant Program Guidelines, and to
                       Undertake a review of the program after a period of 12 months.
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval of the following changes that are a direct
outcome of the review process, and reflected in the Economic Development Grants Policy at
Attachment 1 and Guidelines at Attachment 2.
Proposed Amendments:
Amendment                                                            Rationale
Expand the Economic Development Grant Program                        Expanding the Economic Development Grant
to include the following categories:                                 Program will provide flexibility for good ideas
                                                                     and initiatives to collaboratively develop as
1. Quick Response Grants which look to support                       needs/challenges and opportunities arise;
   small one off projects such as workshops, meet                    enable a more strategic use of grant funding;
   ups and events that engage and benefit the                        and assist business associations to confidently
   Noosa business community.                                         extend their planning horizons.
2. Project Partnership Grants support innovative
   one-off projects of merit that have a positive
   impact on the local business environment and
   with a 12-month completion timeframe.

3. Multi Year Partnership Grants assist
   stakeholders to develop and deliver
   programs/initiatives agreed by Council that
   extend beyond 12 months.


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