Notice of Motion tabled at the Community Focus Council Meeting of Council on Tuesday 14 April 2020, held at the Council Conference and Reception Centre in City Hall, 57 Little Malop Street, Geelong.
The COVID-19 pandemic crisis and declared State of Emergency has created significant upheaval and difficult challenges in our community.
Council at its meeting held on 24 March 2020 passed a motion to open the 2020-2021 Grants Program on 27 April 2020 and close applications on 24 May 2020.
In light of the current crisis, it would be appropriate to not proceed with this advertised application period and suspend the 2020-2021 Grants programs.
Suspension of the 2020-2021 Grants programs enables many positive outcomes, including:
Removing the uncertainty of what projects and events can and cannot be delivered:
Removing the difficulties for the community trying to organise themselves and complete applications during this challenging time; and
Enabling Council to review the grants at a future date and possibility develop new grants specifically targeted to enable the recovery of the Geelong community once we have reached that phase in the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis.
Council was also due to receive a report to endorse the successful applicants from the 2nd Round of 2019-2020 Grants Program. Due to the current crisis, it is now prudent to undertake a further review of those applications before endorsement. That review should result in a future report to be presented to Council with recommendations about those applications and the most appropriate course of actions considering the COVID-19 Pandemic crisis.
Councillor Aitken moved, Councillor Grzybek seconded -
That Council:
Suspend the 2020-2021 Grant programs for review as part of a Community and Economic Support Package in response to COVID-19;
Rescind the following parts of the motion passed by Council at its meeting held on Tuesday 24 March 2020:
Paragraph 7.5. Note that the grants will open no later than 27 April 2020 and close on 24 May 2020; and
Paragraph 7.6. Note that funding recommendations for all grant categories will be presented to Council for endorsement at its meeting on 25 August 2020.
Continue the work to establish a First Nations Heritage Grants fund in collaboration with Traditional Owners and develop relevant guidelines for Council’s consideration and allocation of grants during the 2020-21 Financial Year;
Review all successful Grant projects recommended for 2nd Round 2019-2020 to ascertain capacity for those projects to be delivered by 30 June 2020 and during the State of Emergency associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
Request the Chief Executive Officer to bring a report to Council by 26 May 2020 making recommendations from the review of successful Grant applications from the 2nd Round of 2019-2020, in accordance with paragraph 4 herein.
Councillor Murnane moved, Councillor Mason seconded -
That Council:
Suspend the 2020-2021 Grant programs for review as part of a Community and Economic Support Package in response to COVID-19;
Rescind the following parts of the motion passed by Council at its meeting held on Tuesday 24 March 2020:
Paragraph 7.5. Note that the grants will open no later than 27 April 2020 and close on 24 May 2020; and
Paragraph 7.6. Note that funding recommendations for all grant categories will be presented to Council for endorsement at its meeting on 25 August 2020.
Continue the work to establish a First Nations Heritage Grants fund in collaboration with Traditional Owners and develop relevant guidelines for Council’s consideration and allocation of grants during the 2020-21 Financial Year as part of the community and economic support package;
Review all successful Grant projects recommended for 2nd Round 2019-2020 to ascertain capacity for those projects to be delivered by 30 June 2020 and during the State of Emergency associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic; and
Request the Chief Executive Officer to bring a report to Council by 26 May 2020 making recommendations from the review of successful Grant applications from the 2nd Round of 2019-2020, in accordance with paragraph 4 herein.
The amendment was put and lost.
Lost.
Division requested:
For: Councillors Murnane, Nelson, Harwood, Sullivan, Mason, Grzybek, Asher, Kontelj, Mansfield, Aitken
Against: Councillor Murrihy
The motion was then put and carried.
Carried.
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 9:00pm on Tuesday 14 April 2020.
Signed: _________________________________________
Councillor Stephanie Asher (Mayor)
Date of Confirmation: _____________________________
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