1. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Grants Policy CCTV Appendices 4 and 5

2. Grants Policy - Background Background – Council Grants Background – Council Grants BSTC frequently awards grants which do not conform to the Grants Policy (see next slide) BSTC frequently awards grants which do not conform to the Grants Policy (see next slide) BSTC Grants budget is £19000 annually of which £8500 is ‘pre- allocated’ BSTC Grants budget is £19000 annually of which £8500 is ‘pre- allocated’ The main ‘violation’ is the restriction to capital projects The main ‘violation’ is the restriction to capital projects Council has been advised to be clear on the justification of each ‘violation’, this is not always done Council has been advised to be clear on the justification of each ‘violation’, this is not always done Brazier grants Brazier grants Brazier also awards grants (budget £1500 annually) with greater flexibility Brazier also awards grants (budget £1500 annually) with greater flexibility Confusion and double applications Confusion and double applications Organisations confused and frequently apply to both Organisations confused and frequently apply to both Double paperwork (thick paperwork) Double paperwork (thick paperwork) © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

3. Grants Policy - Options Question 1 – what do we want to award grants for? Question 1 – what do we want to award grants for? Capital, revenue only exceptional circumstances – ie the policy Capital, revenue only exceptional circumstances – ie the policy Capital or revenue – ie the practice Capital or revenue – ie the practice Question 2 – how do we regularize and simplify Question 2 – how do we regularize and simplify Option 1 - Award all grants through Brazier, Council makes annual award (equal to the non-preallocated grants budget) to Brazier Option 1 - Award all grants through Brazier, Council makes annual award (equal to the non-preallocated grants budget) to Brazier Would require minor changes to Trust constitution Would require minor changes to Trust constitution Potential issue if not all the grant money is spent Potential issue if not all the grant money is spent Option 2 - Award all grants through Council, use Brazier ‘grants’ budget for maintenance of open spaces, adjust Council grants budget (upwards) and policy accordingly Option 2 - Award all grants through Council, use Brazier ‘grants’ budget for maintenance of open spaces, adjust Council grants budget (upwards) and policy accordingly Legitimate within current Trust constitution, simplest arrangement Legitimate within current Trust constitution, simplest arrangement Denies the opportunity to ‘build up’ reserve (like the reserve spent on Markwell) Denies the opportunity to ‘build up’ reserve (like the reserve spent on Markwell) Option 3 – Keep Status Quo (not recommended) Option 3 – Keep Status Quo (not recommended) We will continue to get dual applications We will continue to get dual applications Recommendation Recommendation Resolve question 1 then amend the policy accordingly so that policy and practice align Resolve question 1 then amend the policy accordingly so that policy and practice align Resolve question 2 then amend the budgeting from 1st April 2013 Resolve question 2 then amend the budgeting from 1st April 2013 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

4. Current Grants Policy To be eligible for a grant your organisation must: Be a voluntary or community group serving the residents of Bishop’s Stortford. Be financially viable and show evidence of properly managed accounts- current financial accounts must be submitted with each application. Demonstrate a real financial need for the grant. Grants are available only for capital projects, although in exceptional cases a grant may be available to uphold the running of a worthy cause, but this would be an exception and would not be repeated year on year. Grants will not be awarded to National Charities unless it can be demonstrated that the local branch will benefit directly. Written evidence must be provided. © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

5. CCTV Charges Historical Background Historical Background Historically BSTC has budgeted £22,000 annually to fund 12 cameras (there may be 13!) Historically BSTC has budgeted £22,000 annually to fund 12 cameras (there may be 13!) The actual cost to EHDC is £34,994 The actual cost to EHDC is £34,994 In Dec 2010 EHDC unsuccessfully attempted to increase the charge to cover the actual cost In Dec 2010 EHDC unsuccessfully attempted to increase the charge to cover the actual cost BSTC reviewed crime detection statistics in consultation with the Police and considered reducing to the 6 cameras which resulted in 4 or more arrests in a 9 month period Jan-Oct 2010 BSTC reviewed crime detection statistics in consultation with the Police and considered reducing to the 6 cameras which resulted in 4 or more arrests in a 9 month period Jan-Oct 2010 However Council subsequently decided to reject EHDCs proposal on the grounds that inadequate notice had been given and EHDC relented However Council subsequently decided to reject EHDCs proposal on the grounds that inadequate notice had been given and EHDC relented In Dec 2011 EHDC formally announced that the charges will increase over 2-3 years: In Dec 2011 EHDC formally announced that the charges will increase over 2-3 years: £24,996 in 2012-2013 £24,996 in 2012-2013 £? In 2013/2014 £? In 2013/2014 £34,994 in 2014/2015 £34,994 in 2014/2015 This is made up of a per camera charge of £2912 This is made up of a per camera charge of £2912 £22,000 would therefore fund 7 cameras at full charge £22,000 would therefore fund 7 cameras at full charge Council Decision Feb 2012 Council Decision Feb 2012 Remain at 12 Cameras in 2012/2013 but review number prior to 2013/2014 budget cycle Remain at 12 Cameras in 2012/2013 but review number prior to 2013/2014 budget cycle Members appear divided over value of CCTV Members appear divided over value of CCTV Recommendation Recommendation Reduce cameras to (number to be decided eg 7) Reduce cameras to (number to be decided eg 7) Delegate consultation and final selection to CEO (and, if desired one or more Councilors – for example Cllr Symonds who has showed particular interest in this matter) in consultation with Police Delegate consultation and final selection to CEO (and, if desired one or more Councilors – for example Cllr Symonds who has showed particular interest in this matter) in consultation with Police © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

6. Recorded incidents by Camera Jan-Oct 2010 © Bishop’s Stortford Town Council Camera NoIncidentsArrests 15314 22513 3 387 4144 5 4 6244 753 8103 9113 1092 1131 12131 1 Note: Camera selection must be based on ‘ability to track’ in addition to numbre of arrests, this is best done in consultation with the police Location of individual cameras suppressed for confidentiality