West Lothian Council’s Executive approved awards of £400,000 from the council’s Third Sector Community Support Fund - but it had received pleas for over £1m in cash aid.
In total, the 35 applications added up to £1.1m - significantly in excess of the £400,000 budget.
Challenging the funding process, and the council’s demand for the Third Sector to pay rental for council property, the SNP raised an amendment at the Executive’s monthly meeting, calling for a rethink.
Depute group leader, Councillor Frank Anderson’s amendment detailed demands for part of the £400,000 fund cover the £150,000 in rent payments, and money set aside for training be used against the shortfall in the funds.
Councillor Anderson argued the funding already given to the Voluntary Sector Gateway covered the costs training for the Third Sector.
It also criticised the short timeframe organisations had had to lodge applications.
The amendment added that taking backing money in rent: “in effect means that over 37 per cent of the awarded funding is not being utilised to tackle, nor deliver, anything to our communities affected by this pandemic.”
It was defeated by nine votes to two.
The fund applications were assessed by a panel of two representatives from the Third Sector, one from NHS Lothian and three from West Lothian Council.
Following the assessment, the panel made recommendations to West Lothian Council’s Head of Planning, Economic Development and Regeneration that the £400,000 be allocated to 16 organisations.
Successful applicants include funding of £41,978.65 for Family & Community Development West Lothian, £34,419.25 to Craigshill Good Neighbour Network and £26,000.00 for S.M.I.L.E Counselling among many other causes.
The report also identified that £176,410 available through a Modernisation and Improvement Fund for 2020/21 had yet to be allocated and recommended that this money could be used to support some of the unsuccessful applicants to the Third Sector Community Fund.
Council Executive approved the recommendations outlined in report which will see £168,724.60 from the Modernisation and Improvement Fund be distributed.
Organisations set to benefit from the Modernisation and Improvement Fund include, Boghall Drop in Centre which has been allocated £37,215 and Community Action Blackburn will receive £34,650.
The remaining £7,685.50 from the fund will used to support additional training for Third Sector organisations.
The Third Sector Community Support Fund for 2021/22 was created with the intention to support Third Sector organisations and address key issues arising out of the impact of the COVID-19 on local communities. The fund was opened up to all third sectors organisations in West Lothian with an application deadline of November 11, 2020.
The Modernisation and Improvement Fund will also continue into 2021/22 and 2022/23 with £150,000 currently identified for each year.
Executive councillor for voluntary organisations, Kirsteen Sullivan, said: “The effects of Covid-19 continue to have significant negative impacts on individuals and communities.
“The work of the Third Sector remains invaluable in delivering much needed support. The Third Sector Community Support Fund together with the utilisation of previously unallocated funds from the 2020/21 Modernisation and Improvement Fund, will allow a greater number of organisations to receive support as they continue to carry out vital work in our communities.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to all staff and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to support our local communities at this challenging time.”
The full report providing a breakdown of funds allocated via the Third Sector Community Support Fund for 2021/22 and the 2020/21 Modernisation and Improvement Fund can be accessed via the West Lothian Council website: https://coins.westlothian.gov.uk/coins/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9Dh%97l%7E%88
