Agenda item

(a)  That the expenditure to date from the annual Community Investment Fund 2020/21 be noted.

(b)  That the current forecast potential underspend at the end of the financial year 2021/21 be noted.

(c)  That £47,000 of the 2020/21 underspend be allocated for further tree planting, potentially including fruit tree orchards, as part of the Urban Forest programme.

The Lead Member for Governance & Customer Services and the CIF Responsible Officer introduced an update on Community Investment Fund (CIF) spend in 2020/21.

CIF funding had once again provided over £1m investment in a wide range of projects in every ward across the borough.  Cabinet Members highlighted a number of schemes that had been delivered during the year which had been well received by residents.  All of the £210,000 of revenue allocated for eligible projects and almost £1.8m had either been spent or committed to capital projects.  The report and appendices were noted.

A sum of £147,000 remained unallocated and was available to spend.  The Leader proposed, and it was agreed, that £47,000 be allocated for further tree planting as part of the successful Urban Forest programme, with the remaining underspend not to be utilised in view of the financial pressures facing the council.  It was requested that the additional funding being made available for tree planting include fruit trees and orchards with links being made to the work to address food poverty in the borough.

Resolved –

(a)  That the expenditure to date from the annual Community Investment Fund 2020/21 be noted.

(b)  That the current forecast potential underspend at the end of the financial year 2021/21 be noted.

(c)  That £47,000 of the 2020/21 underspend be allocated for further tree planting, potentially including fruit tree orchards, as part of the Urban Forest programme.