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Grants PolicyGrants PolicyCCTVCCTV

Appendices 4 and 5Appendices 4 and 5

Grants Policy - BackgroundGrants Policy - Background Background – Council GrantsBackground – Council Grants

BSTC frequently awards grants which do not conform to the BSTC frequently awards grants which do not conform to the Grants Policy (see next slide)Grants Policy (see next slide)

BSTC Grants budget is £19000 annually of which £8500 is ‘pre-BSTC Grants budget is £19000 annually of which £8500 is ‘pre-allocated’allocated’

The main ‘violation’ is the restriction to capital projectsThe main ‘violation’ is the restriction to capital projects Council has been advised to be clear on the justification of Council has been advised to be clear on the justification of

each ‘violation’, this is not always doneeach ‘violation’, this is not always done Brazier grantsBrazier grants

Brazier also awards grants (budget £1500 annually) with Brazier also awards grants (budget £1500 annually) with greater flexibilitygreater flexibility

Confusion and double applicationsConfusion and double applications Organisations confused and frequently apply to bothOrganisations confused and frequently apply to both Double paperwork (thick paperwork)Double paperwork (thick paperwork)

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Grants Policy - OptionsGrants Policy - Options Question 1 – what do we want to award grants for?Question 1 – what do we want to award grants for?

Capital, revenue only exceptional circumstances – ie the policyCapital, revenue only exceptional circumstances – ie the policy Capital or revenue – ie the practiceCapital or revenue – ie the practice

Question 2 – how do we regularize and simplify Question 2 – how do we regularize and simplify Option 1 - Award all grants through Brazier, Council makes annual Option 1 - Award all grants through Brazier, Council makes annual

award (equal to the non-preallocated grants budget) to Brazieraward (equal to the non-preallocated grants budget) to Brazier Would require minor changes to Trust constitutionWould require minor changes to Trust constitution Potential issue if not all the grant money is spentPotential issue if not all the grant money is spent

Option 2 - Award all grants through Council, use Brazier ‘grants’ Option 2 - Award all grants through Council, use Brazier ‘grants’ budget for maintenance of open spaces, adjust Council grants budget for maintenance of open spaces, adjust Council grants budget (upwards) and policy accordinglybudget (upwards) and policy accordingly

Legitimate within current Trust constitution, simplest arrangementLegitimate within current Trust constitution, simplest arrangement Denies the opportunity to ‘build up’ reserve (like the reserve spent on Denies the opportunity to ‘build up’ reserve (like the reserve spent on

Markwell)Markwell) Option 3 – Keep Status Quo (not recommended)Option 3 – Keep Status Quo (not recommended)

We will continue to get dual applicationsWe will continue to get dual applications RecommendationRecommendation

Resolve question 1 then amend the policy accordingly so that policy Resolve question 1 then amend the policy accordingly so that policy and practice alignand practice align

Resolve question 2 then amend the budgeting from 1st April 2013Resolve question 2 then amend the budgeting from 1st April 2013© Bishop’s Stortford Town © Bishop’s Stortford Town

Council Council

Current Grants PolicyCurrent Grants Policy To be eligible for a grant your organisation must:

Be a voluntary or community group serving the residents of Bishop’s Stortford. Be financially viable and show evidence of properly managed accounts- current

financial accounts must be submitted with each application. Demonstrate a real financial need for the grant. Grants are available only for capital projects, although in exceptional cases a

grant may be available to uphold the running of a worthy cause, but this would be an exception and would not be repeated year on year.

Grants will not be awarded to National Charities unless it can be demonstrated that the local branch will benefit directly. Written evidence must be provided.

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CCTV ChargesCCTV Charges Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

Historically BSTC has budgeted £22,000 annually to fund 12 cameras (there may be 13!)Historically BSTC has budgeted £22,000 annually to fund 12 cameras (there may be 13!) The actual cost to EHDC is £34,994The actual cost to EHDC is £34,994 In Dec 2010 EHDC unsuccessfully attempted to increase the charge to cover the actual costIn Dec 2010 EHDC unsuccessfully attempted to increase the charge to cover the actual cost

BSTC reviewed crime detection statistics in consultation with the Police and considered reducing BSTC reviewed crime detection statistics in consultation with the Police and considered reducing to the 6 cameras which resulted in 4 or more arrests in a 9 month period Jan-Oct 2010to the 6 cameras which resulted in 4 or more arrests in a 9 month period Jan-Oct 2010

However Council subsequently decided to reject EHDCs proposal on the grounds that inadequate However Council subsequently decided to reject EHDCs proposal on the grounds that inadequate notice had been given and EHDC relentednotice had been given and EHDC relented

In Dec 2011 EHDC formally announced that the charges will increase over 2-3 years:In Dec 2011 EHDC formally announced that the charges will increase over 2-3 years: £24,996 in 2012-2013£24,996 in 2012-2013 £? In 2013/2014£? In 2013/2014 £34,994 in 2014/2015£34,994 in 2014/2015 This is made up of a per camera charge of £2912This is made up of a per camera charge of £2912 £22,000 would therefore fund 7 cameras at full charge £22,000 would therefore fund 7 cameras at full charge

Council Decision Feb 2012Council Decision Feb 2012 Remain at 12 Cameras in 2012/2013 but review number prior to 2013/2014 budget cycleRemain at 12 Cameras in 2012/2013 but review number prior to 2013/2014 budget cycle Members appear divided over value of CCTVMembers appear divided over value of CCTV

RecommendationRecommendation Reduce cameras to (number to be decided eg 7) Reduce cameras to (number to be decided eg 7) Delegate consultation and final selection to CEO (and, if desired one or more Councilors – for Delegate consultation and final selection to CEO (and, if desired one or more Councilors – for

example Cllr Symonds who has showed particular interest in this matter) in consultation with example Cllr Symonds who has showed particular interest in this matter) in consultation with PolicePolice

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Recorded incidents by Camera Jan-Oct Recorded incidents by Camera Jan-Oct 20102010

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Camera No Incidents Arrests1 53 14

2 25 13

3 38 7

4 14 4

5 14 4

6 24 4

7 5 3

8 10 3

9 11 3

10 9 2

11 3 1

12 13 1

13 13 1

Note: Camera selection must be based on ‘ability to track’ in addition to numbre of arrests, this is best done in consultation with the policeLocation of individual cameras suppressed for confidentiality