Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillors eye committee to determine grant funding outcomes

Councillors will next week consider establishing a formal committee to guide the local government’s support for events and community groups.

The matter comes after a decision last month to amend the newly revised community, economic, environmental and events funding policy to give the chief executive delegated powers for funding of $10,000 and below.

In moves backed by all attending councillors except for David Binks — who argued officers were best placed to carry out the council’s wishes — a report was also commissioned into the feasibility of a committee to determine higher funding.

That committee, if established, would determine funding for major events including the Margaret River Pro, CinefestOz and Cabin Fever.

The report to be considered by members next week recommends three councillors sit on the committee with chief executive Andrea Selvey and sustainable economy and communities director Nick Byrne to attend in a non-voting capacity.

“Grants provide an opportunity for positive collaboration between the shire and community groups that can result in strong and measurable outcomes for the community, provide opportunities to work in partnership with community organisations and several other changes aimed at building community organisations’ capacity,” the report said.

“The committee will ensure that the grant policy is administered effectively and grants awarded encompass a broad spectrum of issues, aiming to deliver environmental, social and economic benefits for the community.”

Last month’s decision also deferred a roughly $70,000 per year salary allocation to a proposed grants officer for reconsideration in the midyear budget review.

The Times understands that position, funded from the grant pool, would also support community groups in seeking external funding and also co-ordinate the shire’s own funding pursuits.

The moves to retake control of the grants program follows multiple reviews of the policy as well as change in the shire’s executive structure since the redundancy of former director James Shepherd and a return to three directors for the local government.

Councillors last month said the changes would help better guide the nearly $900,000 allocated to funding each year.