How can the 'You Decide' process for Council grants be made fairer?

 November's Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee, which was also attended for two items by the Chair of Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny, was notable for the contribution of residents to the item on Brent Council's Grants Programme. Key points were made questioning the fairness of the 'You Decide' meetings that allocate grants including the packing of meetings by some groups and the disadvantage of not being used to public speaking.

The Committee also considered the Borough Plan with questions asked abou the lack of much mention of the council's climate emergency structure.

The Committee made a range of recommendations.

The Minutes of the meeting are now available so I have embedded them below for your perusal and as an example of effective scrutiny.

Bush Farm Collective calls for support for its 'You Decide' bid to broaden activities

 

The Bush Farm Collective, based at Bush Farm, Kingsbury in Fryent Country Park, are seeking support for their community funding bid to improve the facility.

This is their message:

 

Lets make Bush Farm come to life

Bushfarm has held a number of amazing community events so far, now it is looking to broaden its range of activities in a number of ways from eco and agricultural workshops, music and art. Making these accessible to all, including many who usually would not be able to have these opportunities.

 

 

However, it needs your help to make this possible...

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Bush Farm has made an application for funding to go towards a year of educational programs, vegetable garden, outdoor learning facilities and dog safe area including an agility course.

Bushfarm needs Brent residents to vote for it in the current funding round, in order to provide these activities for the community.

 

To vote, simply register first using this LINK. This will give you the time and dates available for you to come and vote. 

 

 The vote is just for the Kingsbury and Kenton Brent Connects area and takes place on Saturday June 25th - Neighbourhood CIL bids are from 1pm to 3.30pm.

Note this is the Kingsbury and Kenton Brent Connects Area so it includes Barn Hill and Chalkhill.

 VENUE:

Kingsbury High School, Tyler's Hall

Bacon Lane

Kingsbury

London

NW9 9AT

View map

Would you like to be part of Bush Farm?

Bush farm is a place of connection, to give people the chance to be involved in projects they may have never had the opportunity to do so before. We are developing partnerships to deliver community and educational activities. You could become a volunteer or even holding your own classes. we would like to be able to share bush farms amazing space for an array of learning and well being.

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Opportunities for volunteers- community gardening, manning events and education programs, marketing and communications

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Ideas for classes you could hold- we can host a range of community activites such as yoga, art, music etc if you would like to be involved in delivering in your area of expertise please be in touch

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We would love to hear from you. Please send us an email with any questions or ideas.

EMAIL

You have 2 weeks left to apply for Brent community project funding - £2m NCIL & £0.25m Health Matters - Closing Date May 31st

 

 From Brent Council

We want to hear your ideas to improve your neighbourhood. You only have two weeks to apply for the £2.25million that is available for your community projects. 

YOU Decide is a new initiative that gives local people the final say on how to spend cash locally.

• £2million* will be divided equally across the borough for physical improvements to local neighbourhoods, from painting and refurbishing a local community centre, improving children’s play areas, painting a mural, or installing public water fountains. The money will be split equally between the five Brent Connects areas.
• A further £250,000** will be given out to fund health and wellbeing projects across the five Brent Connects areas. If you have ideas to help people take up outdoor gym sessions, walking groups, health screenings, vaccinations and mental health services, as well as projects that help people live happy, healthy lives for the future.

If you are a resident, community group and voluntary organisation, come together and apply for either fund through a simple application form. Applications close on 31 May.

YOU Decide is our new approach to “Participatory Budgeting” which puts you at the heart of decision-making. A series of Decision Day events where you decide on the projects that you feel would make a real difference in your communities.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: 

How would you spend more than £2million to improve neighbourhoods and health and wellbeing across Brent? This is your opportunity to bring your ideas to life. Building on the success of the CO2GO fund, which focused on green improvement projects, we’re now encouraging everyone in Brent to come forward with other creative and positive ideas that can get off the ground with the cash available. We’d love to hear from you so start submitting your application today. All ideas are welcome and the process is simple and easy to follow.”

If you would like to apply, or for more information, visit the You Decide page.

*This scheme is funded by the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), collected from developers in the borough.

**This scheme is funded by the Brent Health Matters Health and Wellbeing Grant.