How Community Grant Fund panels are formed
Membership of the panel is confirmed at the beginning of the new financial year, when participants are invited to come forward for that year. Only those who respond to the invitation and complete the relevant forms will be confirmed as panel members for the year. Any elected members or community council representatives who do not opt into joining a panel will still be able to find out what awards were made as these will be published on the Community Grants Fund website. This information can also be provided upon request from the Community Empowerment and Engagement Team (CEET).
Dates within a set timeframe are then agreed between panel members and the Council officer. Each panel meeting is facilitated by a panel member. At the start of the financial year, panel members are invited to volunteer to facilitate a funding panel meeting. Panel members are expected to take turns at facilitating. This means that each meeting should be facilitated by a different member. This will allow more people to develop the skills and experience needed to convene a grants panel and community meetings more generally. Officers will attend panel meetings to provide information and support to enable effective decision-making but will not facilitate the meeting. Officers will also provide training and support for facilitators. There will also be opportunities for panel members from across the city to meet, debrief and reflect together.