Decision details
Community Grants - Westhive Review
Decision Maker: Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Decisions:
Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, introduced the item the purpose of which was to present the review of the Westhive Crowdfunding scheme to date and consider the outcomes as detailed in the report. Councillor Crouch introduced background and context of the Westhive scheme and explained that this review had been recommended to take place by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 6 November 2024. The review had now taken place and been presented to the Committee in March. The conclusions of the report were:
- The Westhive scheme should continue to operate for the remainder of the contract.
- To consider the benefits and implications of CIF finding being made available on the platform on 2025/26
- To consider changing the Council’s pledge level
- To activate the Community Activities Grant
In discussing the report, Executive Members noted that the scheme not only helped communities raise funds but also encouraged communities to take ownership due to the Council topping up community funds. It was stated that the scheme helped small projects who may not have knowledge of how to get on platforms and fundraise. The benefits of the scheme were highlighted, including more money being available and the greater diversity of the organisations that could take part. The Witney Mills Cricket Club was given as an example.
Councillor Rachel Crouch, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities, proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Executive Member for Environment, seconded the recommendations stating that the scheme had been a great success with funds being awarded to a wide range of projects benefiting communities and the environment. Councillor Arciszewska thanked the officers involved for their work on the scheme.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive:
1. Note the findings of the review on the Westhive Civic Crowdfunding scheme to date and introduce the following enhancements to the Council’s approach to grant giving:
i. Continue with the 3rd year of the Spacehive contract
ii. Consider the benefits and implications of CIF funding being made available on the platform in 2025/2026
iii. Increase the maximum Council pledge to £12,000 or 75% of the project total, whichever is less.
iv. Launch a small grant scheme to complement the Westhive programme in consultation with Executive Member for Stronger, Healthy Communities.
Report author: Heather McCulloch
Publication date: 13/03/2025
Date of decision: 12/03/2025
Decided at meeting: 12/03/2025 - Executive
Date comes into force if not called in: 21/03/2025
Call-in deadline date: 20/03/2025
Current call-in Count: 0
Accompanying Documents:
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