Agenda item

The application as set out in the agenda was for £4,430 for Selby District Disability Forum (SDDF) for the Central CEF Disability Positivity project.

The Sub-Committee heard a presentation from the applicants about the aims of the project.

Members of the Funding Sub-Committee asked a number of questions in relation to the application, particularly around the non-disclosure of some financial information relating to the finances of related projects and the SDDF. The applicants explained that some of the information pertained to the salaries of individuals working on other projects and as such they did not feel comfortable releasing this publicly.

The applicants explained that they were not a charity but a Community Interest Company (CIC) that employed self-employed contractors on different projects.

The Sub-Committee noted that in relation to funding received for the Disability Action Group projects from the Southern and Tadcaster and Villages CEFs, this money had lasted longer than expected, and had been stretched to last over the initial 12 month period, due to the meetings arranged as part of the projects moving to bi-monthly instead of monthly.

In relation to the proposed visits to schools detailed in the Disability Positivity project, the Sub-Committee explained that they would have expected such events to have all been of a similar cost, and that the time set aside for preparation as detailed in the application was excessive.

The applicants explained that the projects funded by the Southern and Tadcaster and Villages CEFS were different to the current application to Central CEF being discussed. They went on to say that as a result, the visits to schools and workshops proposed under the Disability Positivity project would be for different school groups and ages, and as such, the planning and content had to be different as it was tailored to each school year age and audience. The Sub-Committee were also asked to note by the applicants that the main SDDF committee was already based in Selby, and as such, a different approach was needed for the Central CEF area.

The Funding Sub-Committee were of the opinion that the mystery shopping element of the project that formed part of the application was already ‘up and running’ in the Central CEF area and would not require much more work. The applicants explained that there had been a pilot scheme but that there was more work to do with the shops and trades in the town around training to make them accessible.

The Sub-Committee also raised a query regarding a £330.00 deficit in the Southern CEF income and expenditure information, which the applicants could not explain without looking into this further.

The Funding Sub-Committee thanked the representatives from SDDF for attending. The applicants left at this point.

The Sub-Committee discussed the application further and agreed that they had some concerns about the applicants asking that some of the financial information was not disclosed publicly, and that the reasons given were not explained well enough; details about employees and salaries and general expenditure and income should be open and transparent.

They also felt that the estimated costs of the mystery shopper element of the project were more than would be expected, and that the existing Disability Discrimination Act, which could be used to make businesses improve access for disabled people, was already an option available to those wanting to ensure accessibility.  

RESOLVED:

To recommend to the Partnership Board that the grant of £4,430 to SDDF for the Central CEF Disability Positivity project be refused.