Should Council grant a review?

Councillor Leon Goltsman has called on Waverley Council to review its 2012-13 Small Grants Program to ensure it promotes business self-sufficiency.

The topic sparked fierce debate at the November 20 Council meeting over which groups should receive funding, with the vote splitting five to four over amendments on how much should be set aside for each grant.
Grants for round one of the 2012-13 program were canvassed, with total funding capped at $3,000 per application.

Divided into two rounds, the program has a total yearly budget of $79,000 as Council looks to fund interesting new initiatives and consider proposals from the community.

Mr Goltsman said applicants should be encouraged to become self-sufficient to help give community projects a kickstart.

“It’s just like the old saying, ‘if someone’s hungry [and] you teach them how to fish, then they’re satisfied for life,’” he said.

Mr Goltsman said this can be achieved by providing the necessary facilities and resources, including venue hire and incentives for successful applicants to raise the money themselves.

“In a sense, this is what we’ve been doing … giving people an opportunity to catch their own fish and I’ve found it very hard to facilitate that for people,” he said.

One local group that has benefitted from the grants program is Transition Bondi, a hub for fostering community discussion about environmental sustainability. At the November 20 meeting it was agreed Transition Bondi would be granted $1,000, plus a $660 fee waiver for the use of the Seagull Room at the Bondi Pavilion to hold a fundraising event.

Transition Bondi director and founder, Lance Lieber said the Council grants were important in helping his organisation fulfill its aims, but maintained there was still room for improvement.

“It’s been a bit difficult to get the grant,” he said. “I think they definitely could be doing a lot more in terms of giving space that isn’t used effectively or efficiently. I don’t think $3,000 is enough.”

Mr Lieber said time was a significant hurdle as the grants were only being decided almost three months after the group’s initial application.

Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak said Council should have a proactive approach, increase its funding and be more active in responding to community needs. For Mr Kanak, the aim of the program is to foster greater community participation and expand existing grants.

“Community groups are becoming more and more prominent,” he said.

“Council should look at increasing their funding and helping people who are well-resourced to give back to the community.”

The submission date for round one applications was 24 August 2012 and round two applications are due in by 22 February 2013.