Decision details
Approach to commissioning 3 year SLA 2027 onwards
Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Purpose:
Purpose of the report is to seek approval of
the commissioning approach for the 3 year SLA Community grants
programme - including approval of the criteria for the
scheme
Decisions:
Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger Healthy Communities, presented the item, the purpose of which was to outline the principles, application process and timeline for the commissioning of three-year Service Level Agreements for Community Grants covering the period 2027-2030.
In her presentation Councillor Crouch raised the following points:
- In November 2025 the Executive had agreed to commission a further 3-year Community Grants Programme with a base budget of £396,000.
- The new Community Grants Programme needed to be commissioned before current agreements ended in March 2027 and needed to be in place by April 2027.
- The programme would use the procurement framework with an emphasis on measurable outcomes and alignment with Council priorities.
- Applications for grants would open in June to September 2026.
- Funding decision would be made in November 2026.
- The programme would focus on: Climate resilience; Nature recovery and Community wellbeing.
- The maximum award was £30,000 per application, with up to two applications allowed per organisation.
- There was an assessment panel for the applications that would prioritise: partnership working, evidence of need, multi-focused delivery, inclusivity, climate and nature co-benefits and deliverability.
- The current base budget had been considered insufficient to meet expected demand and the proposals would increase the budget by £53,000 per annum, which meant a £555,000 programme over the three-year period.
Councillor Crouch then proposed the recommendations in the report.
The alternative options detailed in the report were that the timeframe could have been contracted as at the moment it is very generous. Options could have included opening the programme to applications later in the year, reducing the application window, shortening the assessment and decision-making period, or providing applicants with less notice of funding outcomes. However, our preference was to retain a generous timeline at this stage that allowed for unexpected developments and competing demands on time. The Procurement team had confirmed that the proposed timeframe was both achievable and preferable. The number of Lots could also have been adjusted, either reduced or increased. Our preference was to maintain multiple focus areas, as this is likely to have made the programme more relatable and accessible to a wider range of potential applicants across different sectors.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, seconded the proposal and stated that he considered it important to ensure that this work would continue in light of Local Government Reorganisation.
This was voted on and agreed unanimously.
The Executive resolved to:
1. Approve the principles and timeline as set out in Sections 3 and 4.
2. Agree an increase to the Base Budget of £53k per annum as part of the 2027-2028 budget setting process, and for subsequent years, bringing the total budget available to £555k over three years.
3. Delegate authority for oversight of the commissioning process to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Stronger Healthier Communities.
Report author: Heather McCulloch
Publication date: 13/03/2026
Date of decision: 11/03/2026
Decided at meeting: 11/03/2026 - Executive
Date comes into force if not called in: 21/03/2026
Call-in deadline date: 20/03/2026
Current call-in Count: 0
Accompanying Documents:
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