Issue - meetings
New crowdfunding platform programme
Meeting: 10/06/2026 - Executive (Item 491)
491 Supporting Community Services - Crowdfunder UK Approach 
PDF 159 KB
Purpose
To review the proposed application and assessment processes, criteria and eligibility of the new grants scheme which is expected to be hosted by Crowdfunder UK; and to update on the progress of commissioning Crowdfunder UK as the new host of the scheme.
Recommendations
That the Executive resolves to:
1. Approve the proposed application and assessment processes, criteria, eligibility and monitoring of the new grants scheme as set out in the report, and;
2. Delegate authority for award decisions to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive member for Stronger Healthier communities and the Executive member for Arts, Culture and Sport..
Additional documents:
- SIAT for Investment into the Community - Crowdfunding, item 491
PDF 178 KB
- Webcast for Supporting Community Services - Crowdfunder UK Approach
Minutes:
Councillor Sandra Coleman, Executive Member for Stronger, Healthier Communities, presented the item, the purpose of which was to review the proposed application and assessment processes, criteria and eligibility of the new grants scheme, which was expected to be hosted by Crowdfunder UK, and to provide an update on the progress of commissioning Crowdfunder UK as the new host of the scheme.
In her presentation, the Executive Member made the following points:
· That the new platform would streamline decision-making and enable project decisions to be made quickly.
· The Council would provide a maximum pledge of £12,000 or 15%.
· There would be no platform fee, but transaction fees would apply.
· Projects would receive decisions more quickly under the streamlined process.
Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of the Council, stated that the new platform was more cost-effective for projects.
With regard to recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 3 June 2026, the Leader stated that the Executive had considered, but did not agree with, the first recommendation. He recognised the importance of supporting projects, but stated that creating a separate fund for start-up costs would raise the risk of projects being funded but not established. As this was not considered a significant barrier to projects, it was not deemed necessary to support their inception through a separate fund; instead, officers were available to provide advice.
The report noted that the development of the eligibility criteria had been informed by research into similar frameworks operated by other councils and grant-giving bodies. A loose framework could lead to uncertainty and inconsistency in decision-making. The decision to move to Crowdfunder UK from the previous platform provider had been approved by the Executive following a previous report. The open and transparent nature of a platform-based approach to the distribution of funds was considered a distinct advantage.
The Leader stated that the second recommendation, relating to notifying ward members, seemed reasonable and would help ward members to be aware of projects within their wards.
The recommendations in the report, alongside the additional recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, were proposed by Councillor Andy Graham.
Councillor Sandra Coleman seconded the proposals.
The proposals were put to the vote and were agreed unanimously.
The Executive resolved to:
1. Approve the proposed application and assessment processes, criteria, eligibility and monitoring of the new grants scheme as set out in the report; and
2. Delegate authority for award decisions to the Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Stronger, Healthier Communities and the Executive Member for Arts, Culture and Sport; and
Agree that the Council notifies ward members when an application is submitted in their wards as part of the new grant process.