Review of Grant Aid
Today’s agenda

Introductions

Short presentation

Group discussions

Feedback from groups

What next?
What we hope to achieve
today Is:

A better understanding of the survey results.
◦ identify funding priorities for the future with
less money
◦ shape proposals for future grant aid schemes
Background of current schemes

Last review in 2004

Grant schemes under review:
◦ Development
◦ Support
◦ Support to Youth Centres
◦ Ground Maintenance of Outdoor Sports
Pitches
◦ Maintenance of Community Facilities
Local financial position
Shetland Islands Council
 Savings of £9.9m required in 2010/11
 Savings of between £15m – £17m required in
2011/12
 Head of Finance to review overall position –
December 2010
Shetland Charitable Trust

Standstill budget in 2010/11 & 2011/12

Total grant budgets for 2010/11 = £334,246
Future grant aid budgets to reduce by 15%?

Economic Benefits of Grant Aid

1,090 revenue grants awarded by Grants Unit
in previous 5 financial years

Total project costs of £4,397,017

Total grant aid of £1,969,064

Total match funding of £2,427,953

Majority of grant aid spent in Shetland economy
Community Benefits of Grant Aid

Improving quality of life

Sustaining rural communities and facilities

Supporting employment throughout Shetland

Assisting individuals and groups to achieve
their full potential

Encouraging lifelong learning and volunteering
Initial consultation results

430 questionnaires

136 responses

31% response rate

Statistics and comments received
Initial consultation results
Question 1
Should financial support be made available for
individuals as well as groups?
Yes
No
Don’t know
-
36.0% (49)
47.1% (64)
16.9% (23)
Initial consultation results
Question 2
Should an assessment of bank balances held
by the community groups be introduced for
the new grant aid schemes?
Yes
No
Don’t know
-
55.9% (76)
29.4% (40)
14.7% (20)
Initial consultation results
Question 3
Should future grant aid schemes continue to
prioritise funding for groups that cater
primarily or exclusively for children and young
people under 18 years of age?
Yes
No
Don’t know
-
64.7% (88)
27.2% (37)
8.1% (11)
Initial consultation results
Question 4
Should future grant aid schemes continue to
provide a higher level of funding for umbrella
bodies/Associations that have an agreed
development plan for their group?
Yes
No
Don’t know
-
51.5% (70)
18.4% (25)
30.1% (41)
Initial consultation results
Question 5
Should future grant aid schemes consider
funding to amalgamated groups for a number
of different activities?
Yes
No
Don’t know
-
43.4% (59)
17.6% (24)
39.0% (53)
Initial consultation results
Question 6
Should future grant aid schemes continue to
prioritise funding for groups that manage
community facilities in Shetland?
Yes
No
Don’t know
-
69.8% (95)
10.3% (14)
19.9% (27)
Initial consultation results
Question 7
What further assistance should individuals and
groups be offered in order to secure more external
funding?
Main responses

More information and access to funding opportunities

More advice and assistance with completing grant applications

Continue with support and assistance of Community Work / Sport &
Leisure / Grants Unit

Provide on-line database or guide on external funding

Hold regular training workshops or events to publicise funding
opportunities
Initial consultation results
Question 8
In the event of less funding how can grant aid
schemes benefit more people and be more
effective?
Main responses








No changes - leave grant schemes as they are
Reduce grant percentages and/or maximum amounts
Less funding to groups with large reserves
Less funding for adult groups
Less paperwork: fewer schemes, simplify process, online
applications
Groups to fund raise more and higher parental contributions
Increased scrutiny during application process and more emphasis
on the evaluation of projects
Consideration of participation levels – funding to projects with
most community benefit/people involved
Initial consultation results
Question 9
Please use the space below to make any other
relevant comments.
Main responses

Keep the grant schemes simple and minimise demands on volunteers

Eliminate the percentage based approach to funding

Groups are already having financial problems

Grants schemes really help communities and provide value for money

Introduce longer term funding and better financial planning

Prioritise funding for remote and rural areas
What do you think?
What happens next?

Consultation – completed November 2010

Draft proposals – agreed December 2010

Final proposals – considered by March 2011

New grant aid schemes - April 2011