Issue - meetings

To consider the joint report of the Director of City Development and the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) seeking approval to establish a Social Inclusion Fund using funds generated by the city granting a ‘large’ casino licence. In addition, the report also seeks approval to the principles of the management and administration of the fund. 

The Director of City Development and the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a joint report which sought approval to establish a Social Inclusion Fund (SIF) using funds generated by the city granting a ‘large’ casino licence. In addition, the report also sought approval to the principles of the management and administration of the fund. 

Members highlighted the need to ensure that the benefits gained from the allocation of funding were maximised, and also looked forward to the compilation of the criteria which would be used to allocate the funding.

RESOLVED –

(a)  The establishment of the Social Inclusion Fund, utilising moneys accrued by the council granting a large casino licence, be approved.

(b)  That approval be given for the money received as the ‘up-front payment’ being invested in initiatives that support the city’s anti-poverty priorities over the three year period prior to the opening of the casino and that annual payments be used to fund projects that both mitigate potential harmful social effects of the large casino and more general social inclusion priorities across the city.

(c)  That approval be given for the Social Inclusion Fund to be retained as a revenue reserve.

(d)  That the Licensing Committee receive an annual report on the nature of projects being supported by the Social Inclusion Fund.

(e)  That the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) administers and oversees fund allocation and, following further engagement with Elected Members and city partners, presents a report to Executive Board setting out recommendations for specific activities that will be funded by the SIF and how the fund will link into other schemes and initiatives within the city.