B U S I N E S S A N D I N T E R N A T I O N A L
R E L A T I O N S C O M M I T T E E R E P O R T
Agenda Item 5.1
15 July 2008
SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS – GUIDELINES 2008/09
Division
Commerce and Marketing
Presenter
Jane Sharwood, Manager Business and International
Purpose
1.
To seek Committee’s approval for proposed amendments to the current guidelines for the
Small Business Grants program for the 2008/2009 financial year including revision to Business
Support Services category, grants approval process and the consideration of ethical issues as
part of the grants assessment process.
Recommendation from Management
2.
That the Business and International Relations Committee approves:
2.1.
the revised guidelines for the Business Support Services category of the Small Business
Grants program 2008/2009;
2.2. a new approval process for the Small Business Grants program 2008/2009; and
2.3.
the inclusion of an ethical charter in the information provided to applicants for the
2008/2009 Small Business Grants program, as a guide to matters that will be considered
by the Independent Review Panel in addition to existing grants assessment criteria.
Background
3.
The December 2007 meeting of the Business and International Relations Committee resolved
to:
“…request a report be brought back to the Business and International Relations
Committee suggesting some guidelines to direct the ethical allocation of business
grants”.
4.
The operations of the Small Business Grants program, is part of the overall corporate review of
Council’s grants and sponsorship programs. This review aims to develop a consistent
approach across Council to the management of all grants programs. It is anticipated the
outcomes of the review will be implemented in 2009/2010 financial year. However this will
not be finalised before the information session for applications for the 2008/2009 Small
Business Grants.
5.
Registrations are currently being received for the first information session for the 2008/2009
Sma