Changes to charity support "as clear as mud"

COUNCIL FUNDING: Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens has received
support through the Community Initiatives Fund.

SOLIHULL Council has faced criticism after confirming a decision to scrap the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF), which has this year pumped around half a million pounds into charities and voluntary groups.
Last  month, councillors agreed to shut down the fund in its current form, having heard evidence
that it was “no longer fit for purpose”.
The decision is likely to cause disquiet among the beneficiaries, despite assurances from the local authority that support for organisations will continue via a new arrangement.
A total of £471,450 has been shared between five good causes in 2017/18. Among them Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, which received £37,000, and Age UK, which picked up £71,640.
The single largest sum (£241,800) was awarded to Citizens Advice Solihull, which has a branch in Chelmsley Wood town centre.
Councillor Chris Williams (Green, Chelmsley Wood) was among those to raise concerns about the funding changes.
“The report [explaining this] was as clear as mud,” he told Other Side of Solihull.
“DIAL, based in Kingshurst, which supports disabled people, have already had a huge cut in their funding in recent years.
“I’m keen we don’t see the same with Sustain, the CAB, Age UK or other much-loved organisations. The Green Party group will be keeping a close eye on this.”
Coun Williams noted that guarantees about funding to the current beneficiaries do not extend beyond 2018 and suggested the move was part of a general trend of cutting support to the voluntary sector.
In response to criticism, Solihull Council has described the new arrangements as “an administrative change”, arguing that much of the money in the old fund had become tied up in contracts.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “The decision will not have any impact on the current 2017-18 spending plans.
“The dissolution of the CIF does not change any of the contracts associated with the budgets.”