Agenda item

To consider the briefing note.

The Board received the report set out in the agenda, introduced by the Head of Community, Partnerships and Customers. It was explained that the matter had been brought to the attention of the Board because there was a need for clarity about how the budget of the CEF continues to be spent, particularly on projects which were now meant to be self-sufficient as well as how the Board wanted to move forward with communications and marketing for the CEF.

The Board noted that the original plan for Tadcaster Today magazine was for it to become self-funding through advertising. Since its inception in 2014, the CEF had continued to fund the publication on an annual basis. The Board noted that the relationship between the CEF and the CIC when the magazine was started was markedly different to the current arrangements, due to there being a new model of governance, administrated by Selby District Council. It was explained that the current funding framework for grants and projects stated that if an organisation had been granted funding, they could not apply again for the same application or project for another two years.

Board Members acknowledged that communications and marketing for the CEF, the management and safeguarding of the budget and the guidance in the funding framework meant that the funding of Tadcaster Today should be examined.

The Board were supportive of the magazine and discussed options for ensuring it could continue in circulation. The Board also noted that the magazine had not evolved as far as they would have wanted.

Following detailed discussions by the Board Members, it was proposed that the magazine continue to be funded by the CEF for another four issues (i.e. up to the end of December 2018), with the caveat that work be undertaken with Selby District Council Communications Team in order to move towards making the magazine self-sustainable and self-funding through advertising. It was also agreed that discussions would also be had with Tadcaster Town Council about the publication, who had agreed to fund the magazine for another four issues (up to December 2018).

The Board Members requested that an impact and update report be submitted for consideration by the Board in June 2018 (by the second issue) in order to monitor the progress of the CIC’s work with Selby District Council towards the publication’s sustainability. Board Member Kirsty Perkins volunteered to assist with the development of the options.

Lastly, with regards to publicity for the CEF, the Chair explained that the distribution of flyers for upcoming Forum meetings had proved to be very successful, and should continue.

RESOLVED:

i)       To fund Tadcaster Today magazine for an additional four issues up to December 2018 as agreed at the November 2017 Board.

ii)     That Tadcaster and Rural CIC, with support from Board Member Kirsty Perkins, work with Selby District Council’s Communications Team and Tadcaster Town Council to develop ways in which Tadcaster Today magazine could become self-financing and sustainable.

iii)    That Tadcaster and Rural CIC bring a report back to the Partnership Board in June 2018 to update Board Members on the progress of the work detailed in resolution (ii).

iv)    That flyers advertising future CEF Forums continue to be produced and distributed in the local area by the Development Officer.