Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which introduces a verbal update to be provided to the Community Committee to promote both the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) and the King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE) schemes.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships introduced a report that provided information regarding the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) and the King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE) schemes.

The report asks members to identify groups/organisations who might qualify for the schemes and exploring whether there are any ways the Lieutenancy can help the committee in the work they do with the local community.

The Deputy Lieutenants for West Yorkshire attended the meeting and explained that the cost of applying for the award is free, and the lieutenancy are looking at liaising with local community groups and organisations. Members were asked to provide any local group names, and/or contact details to the lieutenancy so that they can get in contact with them and provide them with some information regarding the award, as well as the criteria.

The award is not easily obtained and provides organisations and businesses the use of the logo on all correspondence and use for their own benefit. The award is seen as a ‘prestige’ and will potentially help organisations and groups obtain additional funding from other sources.

Organisations such as DAZL Dance and Friends of Roundhay Park have previously won the award.

Members were asked to get in contact with Ms Baker if they had any organisations and groups in mind for the lieutenancy to contact, to recognise the work of organisations and groups across Leeds.

Ms Baker can be contacted on the following email: susan.baker@ntlworld.com and/or at the following address: West Yorkshire Lieutenancy Office, Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham, Wetherby, LS23 6LP.

The scheme is open 1^st June until 15^th September 2024.

In responding to questions from Committee Members, the following was confirmed:

·  A lot of groups and organisations never heard of the scheme, and it has been running for quite some years. The lieutenancy has been looking for ways to promote the scheme and felt local ward members are best placed to suggest local groups and organisations.

·  The application to nominate a group or organisation is considered straight forward. It must be somebody not involved in the organisation to nominate the group or organisation. All the groups put forward are checked for eligibility, and the lieutenants will visit the groups and spend some time with them going through the criteria and checking their governance arrangement and accounts etc. Once everything has been checked over, the nominations go to a central committee based in London, and the announcement of the winners ties up with the Kings birthday on 14^th November 24.

·  The Deputy Lieutenants cannot put forward any nominations as they’re the ones who will be doing the assessments against the criteria.

·  Councillors are not asked to support the application process, unless they are personally involved with the group or organisation. If they do decide to support the group or organisation, they must explain how they have personally benefitted them in a personal capacity, or a family member.

·  The group or organisation must be volunteer led but can have paid staff working for them.

·  Nominations are assessed nationally, and the award is considered difficult to get. But once this has been achieved, it is a prestigious award and groups must be exceptional to receive it.

·  Organisations must be well governed in terms of the criteria and eligibility. If groups are unsuccessful, they can re-apply in the next 3 years.

·  To apply for the award, somebody must nominate the group, and 2 letters of support must be put forward.

The Chair thanked the Deputy Lieutenants for attending the meeting and the Committee shared their appreciation for the work the lieutenancy is doing in recognising local volunteer groups and organisations.

RESOLVED – To note the verbal update and comments during discussion of this item.