2019-11-12 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                             12 NOVEMBER 2019


Background
2019/20 Round 2 Community Project Grants and 2019/20 Round 2 Environment Project Grants
The second 2019/2020 round of the Community and Environment Project Grants was advertised
in local media and through community networks with a closing date of 24 October 2019. The
application period was extended due to the Peregian fire to allow organisations and individuals
impacted adequate time to submit an application.

A total of 43 Community and Environment Project Grant applications were received requesting in
total $412,196.84

Applications were checked for eligibility against the relevant Noosa Council Grants Policies
(Community Grants Policy and Environment Grants Policy) and Guidelines. Applications were
then reviewed, assessed and commented on by specialist staff with appropriate expertise.

All applications and staff comments were discussed and assessed by the grants assessment
panel. The assessment panel is recommending 27 Community Project applications receive
$163,181 funding from the Community Project Grants fund and 2 Environment Project
applications receive $29,998 funding from the Environment Levy.

These grants are split into the four categories of programs, events, equipment and infrastructure
for administrative purposes.

As per the relevant Noosa Council Grants Policies, assessors and assessment panel members
recognised and declared any material or perceived conflicts of interest and did not debate nor
were involved in any discussions on matters relating to that application.

Three Year Community Alliance Agreements
Council provides financial support for up to three years to not for profit incorporated community
organisations whose services provide significant benefit to the Noosa community (beyond their
membership); demonstrate value for money; and closely align with Council’s strategic goals and
identified key initiatives.

Council called for expressions of interest for this Grants program in 2016 and again in 2019.
Noosa District Community FM Radio Association Inc was invited to apply however funding was
not recommended in the Council report of 20 June 2019 and instead funding was to be
reconsidered by Council upon submission of a satisfactorily revised strategic plan which included
the means to implement the plan and a satisfactory 2018-2019 audited financial report. Both
documents were received and considered by Council staff in October 2019. Based on this
information, Council staff are recommending three year Alliance Grant funding to Noosa District
Community FM Radio Association Inc, however the funding will be conditional upon Noosa FM
submitting reports each twelve months demonstrating a satisfactory progress report on the
strategic plan and a satisfactory audited financial report which demonstrates that the association
is maintaining a stable financial position.

Implementation
Following endorsement of this report, grant applicants will be notified of the outcomes. Funding to
successful project grant applicants will be distributed in January 2020 providing they have no
outstanding debt to Council and they have met any relevant funding conditions. Alliance funding
to Noosa District Community FM Radio Association Inc to be distributed in December 2019.

Previous Council Consideration
Council considered Round 1 of the 2019-20 Community Project Grants and Environment Grants
at the Ordinary Meeting on 20 June 2019.

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