HVA Step in To Save Small Grants

The Councils Small Grants budget – which was listed to be cut – was preserved as a result of a last minute intervention by HVA and some sensible partnership working on the part of Councillors. HVA agreed to administer the grants without charge for the next 2 years if the Council restored the cut in their budget setting process. Our intervention received cross party support and £10,000 budget was restored at last nights Full Council meeting.

Speaking after the meeting HVAs Director Steve Manwaring welcomed the Councils change of position “Whilst the amount involved is relatively modest these small grants do represent exceptional value and enables the work of small community groups – who tend to be excluded from complex commissioning processes – to be eligible for financial support from the Council. We are pleased that the Council have taken a sensible view and accepted our proposal.”