Agenda item

That the Committee thanks the Community Foundation in Wales’ representatives for their presentation and informs the Cabinet that:

(a)       The Committee endorses the work of the Community Foundation in Wales and the award of local grants as part of the Flintshire Community Endowment Fund;

(b)       The Committee approves the transfer of the management and the administration of the Clwyd Tri-partite Welsh Church Act Fund for Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham to the Community Foundation for Wales from 1st April 2018; and

(c)       The Committee approves the transfer of the management and the administration of Flintshire grants awarded from the Welsh Church Act Fund to be combined with the process already in place for the Flintshire Community Endowment Fund.

The Corporate Business & Communications Executive Officer presented the annual performance review of the Flintshire Community Endowment Fund (FCEF) which was managed and administered by the Community Foundation in Wales following the transfer of 16 educational trust funds in 2013.  Since that time, the capital element of the FCEF had grown by 18% and the Fund had awarded over £34K worth of grants; a level which could not have been achieved before the transfer.

The Committee was asked to consider a proposal for the Community Foundation in Wales to assume the same responsibilities for the Clwyd Tri-partite Welsh Church Act Fund (Clwyd WCAF) on behalf of Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham councils.  The broader remit of grant applications from the Clwyd WCAF was explained.

The Chairman welcomed representatives from the Community Foundation in Wales - Colin Evans (Development Associate), Richard Williams (Chief Executive) and Tom Morris (Research & Finance Manager) - who gave a presentation on the work of the Fund, covering the following points:

·         The Community Foundations’ achievements across Wales and specifically in Flintshire

·         Fund History and Overview

·         Financial Performance of the Fund

·         Additional Services for Local Authorities

·         Summary of Grant Awards made in 2016 and 2017

·         Leverage for Flintshire

·         Case Studies

Since transferring the assets, the FCEF had achieved a 35% total return with the capital element of the Fund recently valued at around £210K.  Explanation was given on the investment strategy which took a moderate approach to risk and was subject to regular scrutiny.  Details of grants awarded in 2016/17 were set out in the Impact Report appended to the agenda.

Councillor Dunbobbin asked about the promotion of the FCEF which involved a network of community facilitators and websites.  It was explained that a low-risk approach had initially been taken to build up the Fund where the maximum limit on grant awards were £750 for individuals and £1,000 for voluntary groups.  Councillor Dunbobbin suggested that the Organisational Change Overview & Scrutiny Committee could also benefit from having the presentation.

When asked by Councillor Hughes, information was given on the composition of the panel (involving local representation) in assessing the strength of applications to determine whether a maximum or partial grant should be awarded.

The Chairman pointed out reference to issues with some cheques sent by post.  It was clarified that only in a handful of cases had cheques not reached their destination and there were no incidents of fraud.  From April 2017, grant awards were paid directly into banks as a more secure and efficient method.

Councillor Jones asked if there would be any changes to criteria for grants from the two Funds.  He was told that each would be run separately according to its own objectives which were set out in the governing document agreed between the Council and The Charity Commission for England and Wales.  There would be no change to the application process as only management and administration responsibilities would transfer.

In response to comments by Councillor Johnson, Mr. Morris gave assurance of annual reviews to ensure there were no direct unethical investments.

The Chairman thanked the representatives for their attendance and detailed presentation.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee thanks the Community Foundation in Wales’ representatives for their presentation and informs the Cabinet that:

(a)       The Committee endorses the work of the Community Foundation in Wales and the award of local grants as part of the Flintshire Community Endowment Fund;

(b)       The Committee approves the transfer of the management and the administration of the Clwyd Tri-partite Welsh Church Act Fund for Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham to the Community Foundation for Wales from 1st April 2018; and

(c)       The Committee approves the transfer of the management and the administration of Flintshire grants awarded from the Welsh Church Act Fund to be combined with the process already in place for the Flintshire Community Endowment Fund.