The Community Involvement Officer advised that there had been discussion in recent months about extending the Community Event Programme to see what demand there was to put on additional smaller events during the year. Large events like Chinese New Year, EID, Black History Month and Diwali have been supported by the Council in previous years.

A simple application form has been created based around the corporate plan priorities which groups can use to apply for funding for certain events; the form allows up to £2000 to be requested but organisations have also been encouraged to apply for the smaller grant funding as there is limited amounts of large funding available.

The application form has already been sent over to the organisations that held large events last year and those that have already expressed an interest in holding events for 2020; three interests have been received so far and the form will be circulated more widely in the future. All applicants will be encouraged to speak to the Community Involvement Officer before filling out the form so that they can be given guidance as to what resources their type of event requires. 

The Community Involvement Officer advised that the deadline process was still being created but currently there were four deadlines for submission of the application form with the first set for the end of March 2020.

The Service Manager (Customer & Theatre Services) further explained that the intent was to open the process up to the wider community to give certain groups the opportunity to hold events they may not previously have been able too as well as advising them of what funding was available to them. The form will ask for information about the event such as what outcomes does the event hope to achieve, what its educational value is and how it will benefit the community etc.

The Chair welcomed the prospect of encouraging other groups within Gravesham to hold important events and special anniversaries.

The Community Involvement Officer advised that the intention was to send round supported information which informed organisations of other places that they could access additional funding aside from the Council.

In response to several Members questions, the Service Manager (Customer & Theatre Services) and the Community Involvement Officer explained that:

·         The funding will commence in the new financial year on 01 April 2020; no funds have been allocated for any 2020 events yet

·         In previous years, up to three large events have been funded £2000 each

·         The Council has supported other events with smaller grant sums; the overall budget for community support totals roughly £10,000-£10,500

·         The form itself is very simple and easy to complete and can be filled in on paper or electronically; it is only two sides and all event organisers should be able to write down their relevant information

·         With regards to environmental impact, the Community Involvement Officer will have discussions with every event organiser in order to understand what type of environmental mitigation they will require. She can then give advice on what will be necessary such as recycling bins on site, green space protection and litter pick up etc

The Chair requested that the form and associated criteria for applying for an event be circulated to Members. 

The Committee gave their support to moving forward with this scheme.