Members were reminded that, as part of the Funding Strategy agreed at Strategy and Policy Board on 21 November 2013, all discretionary grants and support to voluntary and community sector organisations were reviewed. A set of future funding principles was agreed at Strategy and Policy Board in relation to the Parish Councils.

Various one to one meetings had been undertaken with each of the Parish Councils to review the level of funding and looking at ways in which Brentwood Borough Council and the Parish Council could work more effectively together. This included a much clearer idea on roles and responsibilities for Essex County Council, Brentwood Borough Council and the Parish Councils. Although it was proposed to reduce the Discretionary Grant funding over the next three years, the Borough Council was also looking at strengthening the support that it provided to the Parish Councils with the development of a Service Level Agreement and other in kind support to mitigate against this reduction, and minimize the impact on local residents.

Cllr Aspinell advised that the Chairman of West Horndon Parish Council had suggested an alternative scheme to that proposed by the Borough Council and Cllr Mrs Squirrell MOVED and Cllr Carter SECONDED and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that consideration of this item be deferred in order that the revised proposal could be investigated.