MidCoast Council is seeking feedback from the community about its revised Community Donations Policy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Among the changes is a recommendation from council's policy committee that the review period for the Community Donations Policy be changed from four years to two years.
Other proposed changes are:
- The inclusion of 'Innovation' as a principle guiding the implementation of the policy
- The specific exclusion of schools and P and C organisations from eligibility
- The inclusion of the applicant's current financial position in the assessment criteria
- Changing 'essential community services' to 'emergency services' for eligibility for the Recurrent Donations Program (Rates and Fixed) to provide clarity around eligibility
- The removal of the word 'registered' in the definition of Eligible Organisations
The revised draft policy will be on public exhibition until close of business on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
While the policy was first adopted by council in March 2019, the revised policy was submitted to council in May this year, with minor amendments relating to wording in relation to eligibility.
Councillors have since workshopped the updated policy and it was decided at last week's November monthly ordinary meeting that it go on public exhibition, with all feedback provided by the community to come back to councillors.
With the amendments the multi-faceted program proposed in the policy still aims to support social connections through programs and partnerships and is designed to allow funds to be allocated to changing community priorities.
The policy provides a framework for council to support the community organisations that are delivering valuable services to our community.
- Lyndie Hepple
"The policy provides a framework for council to support the community organisations that are delivering valuable services to our community," MidCoast Council community strengthening co-ordinator, Lyndie Hepple said.
"It also delivers a framework for financial and in-kind support for eligible organisations and includes four different assistance programs ranging from small one-off donations to larger annual donations and multi-year seed funding for innovative new projects.
"The donations policy supports our large network of volunteers and not-for-profit organisations and we're looking forward to continuing that support into the future."
Head to the MidCoast Council Have Your Say page to view the policy and provide feedback.