2016-02-08 General Committee Agenda

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                             8 FEBRUARY 2016


   Operational Grants – It is proposed that these grants be discontinued.

   Community Alliance Grants – This is a new category of funding which will:
     o  provide financial support for up to 3 years to not-for-profit incorporated community
        organisations whose services provide significant benefit to the Noosa community
        (beyond their membership);
     o  demonstrate value for money; and
     o  closely align with Council’s strategic goals and identified key initiatives.
     For the 2016/17 financial year, expressions of interest for this program will be called from
     organisations who offer services in any one of the following areas:
     o     arts and cultural development;
     o     community development;
     o     community safety;
     o     environment;
     o     heritage.

   Water Rebates – This formalises Council’s commitment to fund Unitywater’s fixed water
     and sewerage access charges for eligible, not for profit organisations in the Shire. In
     addition it will also fund the cost of water consumption for these groups up to a maximum of
     $1,000 per annum.

   Building Insurance – This is a new category of support whereby Council covers the cost
     of building insurance for eligible Community Organisations who have facilities on Council
     controlled land. The insurance for these buildings will be incorporated into Council’s Local
     Government Mutual Asset Scheme Industrial Special Risks coverage. The cover will only
     be provided on the terms offered by the LGM to Queensland Councils and is not negotiable
     for individual groups.
     The portion of Council’s annual LGM Assets cover attributable to the participating
     community organisations will be appropriately identified for internal costing purposes.
     Given the significant number and value of Council’s assets already covered by the LGM
     Assets Scheme, adding the participating community groups to the scheme will provide
     them with suitable coverage at reasonable rate. This will ensure that the relevant assets
     are appropriately covered by a reputable insurance scheme and the costs to Council for
     arranging this coverage will be reduced. The LGM Assets Scheme has been established
     for the purpose of benefiting its Local Government members, which provides a level of
     assurance that the cost of coverage is appropriate. This Policy will enable eligible
     community organisations to benefit from that advantage.

   The Community Project Grants, Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) and Three
     Year Maintenance Grants are retained.

   The revised policy has been expanded to include the Festive Season Grants with slightly
     revised eligibility criteria such that no commercial businesses can apply. This change
     requires the previously adopted Festive Season policy to be repealed.


Implementation

Community Grant Guidelines, including the operational requirements for the application and
distribution of community grants, to ensure compliance with the adopted Policy and relevant
legislative requirements, will be developed by Council staff prior to the next Community Grant
round being advertised.



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