Agenda of Special Community, Culture and Events Committee Meeting

Item No. 4.1

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special Community, Culture and Events Committee Meeting

Page 7

3/12/2018

REPORT TITLE: City of Hobart Grants Program - August 2018 Recommendations

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Manager Future, Engaged and Active Communities

Acting Associate Director Community and Culture

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report seeks approval of the recommendations for the Community, Creative Hobart (Medium and Small) and Event grants under the 2018-19 City of Hobart Grants Program for August 2018.

2. Report Summary

2.1. The recommended funding allocations for the first of the biannual rounds of the City of Hobart Grants Program that opened in August 2018 are provided at Attachment A to this report.

2.2. A total of 49 eligible applications were received for all grant streams with 26 projects across all of the grants streams recommended for full or partial funding at a total value of $209,705.73.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. The Council approve the recommended level of funding to the respective applicants for assistance under the 2018-19 Community Development Grants Program under the streams of Community, Creative Hobart, and Events as outlined below:

(i) The projects recommended for full funding and partial funding from round one 2018-19 of the Community Development Grants Program as detailed in Attachment A to this report.

2. The Council note the projects not recommended for funding from round one 2018-19 of the City of Hobart Grants Program as detailed in Attachment A to this report.

3. The value of the recommended projects is $40,070.73 for Community Grants, $59,985 for Creative Hobart Medium, $14,650 for Creative Hobart Small Grants, and $95,000 for Event Grants.

4. Any funds from any grant program will be rolled into the following equivalent grant round within this financial year.

5. The funding for the grants be attributed to the Community Development Policy Management activity in the 2018-19 Annual Plan.

6. All funding applicants be advised accordingly.

7. The total grant provision be recorded in the ‘Grants, Assistance and Benefits Provided’ section of the City of Hobart’s Annual Report.

4. Background

4.1. The Community Small grant program is open to applicants twice a year with applications opening in August and February. Applicants can apply for any amount up to $5,000. A total of $80,000 is allocated to the program for the 2018-19 financial year.

4.2. The Creative Hobart Medium and Small grant program is open to applicants twice a year with applications opening in August and February. Applicants can apply for any amount from $7,000 - $15,000 in the Medium round and $1,000 - $5,000 in the Small round. $30,000 is allocated to the Creative Hobart Small round and $124,000 is allocated to the Creative Hobart Medium round in the 2018-19 financial year.

4.3. The Event grant program is open to applicants twice a year with applications opening in August and February. Applicants can apply for any amount up to $20,000. A total of $190,000 is allocated to the program for the 2018-19 financial year.

4.4. Round one of the 2018-19 City of Hobart Grants Program was advertised on 11 August 2018 through the Mercury newspaper. It was also promoted through a broad range of community and cultural networks, with the application period closing on 10 September 2018.

4.5. All previous applicants from grant rounds were contacted via email to alert them to the new rounds opening.

4.6. Grant information is made available on the City of Hobart’s website which provides online access to the application form, guidelines, and copies of relevant City of Hobart strategies that applications should respond to.

4.7. Two public information sessions were held on 21 August 2018 in the Elizabeth Street Conference Room at 1 pm and 5.30 pm. People attending were provided with detailed information regarding the application process.

Assessment Panels

4.8. The following assessment panels were established for each stream.

4.8.1. Community Grants Assessment Panel

· Chair: Tony Bonney, Community Activation and Grants Coordinator, Community and Culture, City of Hobart

· Kimbra Parker, Acting Associate Director, Community and Culture, City of Hobart

· Sam Hartley, Health and Fitness Coordinator, DKHAC, City of Hobart

· Jason Schmidt, Tasmanian Sports Coordinator, Special Olympics Australia

4.8.2. Creative Hobart (Medium and Small) Grants Assessment Panel

· Chair: Tony Bonney, Community Activation and Grants Coordinator, Community and Culture, City of Hobart

· Kimbra Parker, Acting Associate Director, Community and Culture, City of Hobart

· Jane Castle, Cultural Programs Coordinator, Community and Culture, City of Hobart

· Philip Holliday, Associate Director, City Planning, City of Hobart

· Samuel Cairnduff, Director Marketing and Communications, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

· Carin Mistry, Executive Director, Australian Script Centre

4.8.3. Event Grants Assessment Panel

· Chair: Tony Bonney, Community Activation and Grants Coordinator, Community and Culture, City of Hobart

· Kimbra Parker, Acting Associate Director, Community and Culture, City of Hobart

· Elspeth Moroni, Manager Asset Services, City of Hobart

· Michelle Forbes, General Manager, Tasmanian Youth Orchestra

· Alex Heroys, Chief Executive Officer, Destination Southern Tasmania

Assessment Criteria

4.9. Applications were assessed under the Council policy ‘Applications for Grants - Community and Marketing’ which was approved at the Council meeting held on 18 June 2018.

4.10. Applications were assessed and scored according to the published criteria, grouped as follows:

4.10.1. Community Grants

· Responding to a need or interest in the community;

· Community support or involvement in the project;

· Opportunity for participants to build social connections and networks;

· Accessibility to the community; and

· Overall quality and capacity.

4.10.2. Creative Hobart Grants

· Enhancement of a sense of place and identity in Hobart;

· Nurture creative people together with each other and the community, gather and share knowledge;

· Bring creative people together with each other and the community, gather and share knowledge;

· Community benefit; and

· Overall quality and capacity.

4.10.3. Event Grants

· Enhance the cultural life of Hobart, involve local communities and encourage people into the City of Hobart area;

· Produce innovative, high quality and creative outcomes, enhancing the City of Hobart image as a vibrant place to live, work and visit;

· Opportunities for participants to build social connections and networks;

· Accessible to the community; and

· Overall quality and capacity.

4.11. The assessment was carried out on a points-scored basis against all criteria. Some applicants may have rated highly against specific criteria such as alignment with strategies or community benefit, but rated lower against criteria such as overall quality and capacity, and as in previous rounds, the applications recommended for funding were those that scored the highest points overall.

4.12. Should Aldermen wish to discuss the merits of any particular application, they are invited to contact the Acting Associate Director Community and Culture. There will also be more detailed information on how each organisation rated against the criteria provided under separate cover on the Closed Aldermanic hub.

Community Grants Applications

4.13. There were 17 applications received for the Community grant stream requesting a total amount of $69,917.73. Ten applications are recommended for funding, totalling $40,070.73. The recommended funding utilises all funds available in this round and $70.73 from Round two 2018-19.

4.14. The Assessment panel acknowledged that the applications were diverse in nature and there was strong community benefit for those projects recommended for funding. Those recommended provide direct benefits for people from the following communities: the homeless and vulnerable persons, migrant communities, youth, religious groups, older persons and the wider community.

Creative Hobart Grants Applications

4.15. There were five eligible applications received for the Creative Hobart small grant program and ten received for the Medium requesting a total amount of $165,938.

4.16. Five Creative Hobart Medium applications have been recommended for funding to the total value of $59,985.

4.17. Three Creative Hobart Small applications have been recommended for funding to the total value of $14,650.

4.18. The applications were diverse, promote excellence in the Arts and strong community benefit. The range of projects include film, dance, visual arts, ceramics, music and performance. Specific groups participating in projects include youth, older people, mothers, Chinese community, children, women and art groups.

Event Grants Applications

4.19. There were 17 eligible applications received for Event grants requesting a total of $248,583.21.

4.20. Eight Event grant applications have been recommended for funding to the total value of $95,000. The recommended funding utilises all funds available in this round.

4.21. This round experienced a strong response in applications, with an increase of four applications (30 per cent increase) from the previous February round and increase of seven applications from the previous August round. Applications were diverse and there was strong community benefit for those projects recommended for funding. The recommended projects will target children and families, migrant communities, Chinese communities, youth and the wider community.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. All applications were acknowledged upon receipt and all applicants will be advised of the Council’s decision, and invited to contact staff for feedback on their applications if they wish.

5.2. Each successful applicant will be required to formally accept the City of Hobart’s assistance by signing an agreement which requires them to:

· Agree to the conditions of the assistance.

· Provide any documentation necessary for compliance under the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

· Detail the ways in which they will acknowledge the City of Hobart’s support.

· Provide an acquittal within 90 days after the completion of their project.

5.3. The projects recommended for full funding and partial funding from the August round of the City of Hobart Grants Program are detailed in Attachment A to this report. Brief details of the project, the assistance requested and the assistance recommended are included for each application. All applications are listed in rating order, from highest to lowest.

5.3.1. All applicants recommended for partial funding have agreed to accept a part-funded offer if it was to be made.

5.4. The projects not recommended for funding are also detailed in Attachment A to this report.

5.5. All awarded grants will be noted in the City of Hobart’s Annual Report in accordance with the Council’s policy in respect to grants and benefits disclosure.

5.6. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised they can re-apply for future grant rounds.

5.7. The unsuccessful applicants will also be advised they can contact the Community Development Officer - Grants for feedback regarding their application, and to obtain assistance in developing their project in order to resubmit in a future grant round.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. This item responds to Goals 1 and 4 of the Capital City Strategic Plan 2015-2025, namely:

“Economic Development, Vibrancy and Culture - City growth, vibrancy and culture comes when everyone participates in city life; and

Strong, Safe and Healthy Communities - Our communities are resilient, safe and enjoy healthy lifestyles.”

6.2. The provision of Community, Creative Hobart and Event grants aligns very strongly with both the Creative Hobart Strategy and the Social Inclusion Strategy 2014-2019.

6.3. The City of Hobart grants program aligns with the following identity statements and pillars of Hobart: A community vision for our island capital:

“Identity Statement 5 - how we live.

Pillar 2 - Community inclusion, participation and belonging

2.3 - We are connected…….. we create opportunities for new connections to develop.

2.5 - We are healthy, joyful and content…….our natural and built spaces and facilities enable activity and support and enhance our health and wellbeing.

Pillar 3 - Creativity and culture

3.2 - We are a creative and cultural capital…..we are home to some of Tasmania’s best-loved cultural institutions. We support them and invite others to enjoy them.

3.4 - We support our artists….we are a city that supports its writers, visual artists, filmmakers, performers, producers and venues.”

7. Financial Implications

7.1. Funding Source and Impact on Current Year Operating Result

7.1.1. There is $80,000 allocated in the Community (Small) grants allocation of the Community Planning and Coordination activity in the 2018-19 Annual Plan for the twice yearly grant rounds. The recommendation is to spend $40,070.73, leaving $39,929.27 for the next round in February 2019.

7.1.2. There is $154,000 allocated in the Creative Hobart grants (Medium and Small) in the 2018-19 Annual Plan for the twice yearly grant rounds. The recommendation is to spend $74,635, leaving $79,365 for the next round in February 2019.

7.1.3. There is $190,000 allocated in the Event grants allocation of the Event activity in the 2018-19 Annual Plan for the twice yearly grant rounds. $95,000 is available in the round and a total of $95,000 is recommended for funding.

7.1.4. The total amount of funds recommended for approval through the 2018-19 Round one grants is $209,705.73.

7.2. Impact on Future Years’ Financial Result

7.2.1. There are no impacts on future year’s financial results. All applicants who receive a funding offer will be notified that an invoice or Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI) must be submitted for payment before the end of the Financial Year.

7.3. Asset Related Implications

7.3.1. Not applicable.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. There are no legal, risk or legislative considerations as part of this report.

9. Marketing and Media

9.1. The projects recommended have been selected taking into account the widest community benefit through a range of groups. The Communications and Marketing Unit will work with officers and the community to maximise promotion of the projects.

9.2. Each successful applicant will be provided with the grant recipient acknowledgment guidelines and as part of the condition of funding are required to ensure recognition of the City’s support.

10. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

10.1. The Community Activation and Grants Coordinator, Community Development Officer - Grants, Cultural Programs Coordinator, Cultural Development Officer, and the external panel members have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

11. Delegation

11.1. This matter is delegated to the Council.

As signatory to this report, I certify that, pursuant to Section 55(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, I hold no interest, as referred to in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 1993, in matters contained in this report.

Luke Doyle

Manager Future, Engaged and Active Communities

Kimbra Parker

Acting Associate Director Community and Culture

Date: 29 November 2018

File Reference: F18/115914; 18/279

Attachment a: August 2018 list of recommendations ⇩

Item No. 4.2

Agenda (Open Portion)

Special Community, Culture and Events Committee Meeting

Page 38

3/12/2018

REPORT TITLE: Support for Amnesty International Campaign

REPORT PROVIDED BY: Acting Associate Director Community and Culture

1. Report Purpose and Community Benefit

1.1. This report responds to letters from Amnesty International Australia, requesting that the Hobart City Council consider and support a campaign for an expanded and improved community sponsorship program for refugees.

2. Report Summary

2.1. Amnesty International Australia, has requested that the Hobart City Council consider and support a campaign for an expanded and improved community sponsorship program for refugees, as shown as Attachment A to this report. In line with the campaign, the support requested is as follows:

“That Hobart City Council notes that:

(i) We live in a world where people have no option but to flee their homes and countries, and that globally, resettlement places for these people are rare and over-subscribed;

(ii) All countries, especially the wealthiest, like Australia, need to do their fair share by welcoming refugees in any way they can;

(iii) Refugees and migrants have made a positive contribution to Australian communities, our economy and our communities; and

(iv) We need to create more opportunities for safe and legal entry into Australia, and one way to do this is through community led sponsorship.

The Hobart City Council moves that:

(i) Hobart is a community which welcomes refugees;

(ii) Hobart City Council supports an expanded and improved Community Sponsorship Program; and

(iii) Hobart City Council calls on the federal government to improve and expand the Community Sponsorship Program to ensure that the program:

(a) does not take places from others in need

(b) provides adequate support and services

(d) allows community, family and businesses to act as sponsors

(e) creates more places for people in need of protection to settle in Australia”.

2.2. The Council’s support for an improved and expanded Community Sponsorship Program would align with the City’s vision - Hobart: A community vision for our island capital, Capital City Strategic Plan 2015 - 2025, Social Inclusion Strategy 2014 - 2019 and Multicultural Strategy 2014 - 2019.

2.3. Support for this campaign would also strongly align with the City of Hobart’s commitments as a Refugee Welcome Zone.

2.4. One hundred and twenty-three Hobart residents have signed up to the campaign, showing their support for a strong Community Sponsorship Program.

2.5. There is no Council policy that prohibits the Council from identifying, formulating and/or promoting a position on this or any other Commonwealth or State issue if it determines that the issue aligns with the Council’s strategic priorities, or is of sufficient importance or benefit to the people of Hobart.

3. Recommendation

That:

1. Given the strong strategic alignment of the motion put forward by Amnesty International Australia and with the City’s position as a Refugee Welcome Zone, that the Council publicly support the campaign for an improved and expanded community sponsorship program for refugees.

2. Council further:

Write to the Federal Minister and Shadow Minister and all Tasmanian Federal Members of Parliament advising them of the Council’s support and encouraging them to consider an improved and expanded community sponsorship program as outlined by Amnesty International Australia.

4. Background

4.1. After a four-year pilot, the Australian Government implemented the Community Support Program for Refugees in 2018.

4.1.1. The Community Support Program (CSP) makes it possible for people in Australia to support a person in humanitarian need to come to Australia and assist them in their settlement journey.

4.1.2. The CSP currently has a quota of 1,000 places within the existing humanitarian intake (currently 13,500 places).

4.1.3. The cost to Australian sponsors can be up to $19,000 per person for processing fees alone.

4.2. In 2004 the Hobart City Council signed the Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration. The Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration is a:

“Commitment in spirit to welcoming refugees into our community; upholding the human rights of refugees; demonstrating compassion for refugees; and enhancing cultural and religious diversity in our community.”

4.2.1. Support for this campaign would strongly align with our role as a Refugee Welcome Zone.

4.3. The Council at its meeting on 25 August 2014, adopted the City of Hobart Social Inclusion Strategy 2014 - 2019.

4.3.1. The Social Inclusion Strategy recognises that diversity in the community is one of its greatest strengths.

4.3.2. The Strategy focusses on ensuring that the needs and aspirations of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the community are addressed in partnership with other key stakeholders.

4.3.3. The Council’s support for this campaign would strongly align with the City of Hobart Social Inclusion Strategy and the Multicultural Strategy 2014 - 2019.

4.4. Twenty Australian councils have publicly supported a fairer community sponsorship program for refugees during 2018.

4.5. If the Council was to endorse the motion put forward by the proponents, the City of Hobart would be the first Tasmanian local government authority to formally support the current Australia-wide campaign.

4.6. It should be noted that the Council does have two policies that state the Council will not comment on matters that are the province of Commonwealth or State Government, however these policies relate specifically to Foreign Affairs and Defence, pertaining to nuclear and chemical disarmament as well as visits by nuclear powered vessels to the Port of Hobart.

4.7. There is no Council policy that prohibits the Council from identifying, formulating and/or promoting a position on this or any other Commonwealth or State issue if it determines that the issue aligns with the Council’s strategic priorities, or is of sufficient importance or benefit to the people of Hobart.

5. Proposal and Implementation

5.1. Given the alignment of the proposal with the Hobart: A community vision for our island capital, Capital City Strategic Plan, Social Inclusion Strategy and Multicultural Strategy, and the City’s role as a Refugee Welcome Zone, it is proposed that the Council publicly support Amnesty International Australia’s campaign for an expanded and improved Community Support Program for refugees.

5.2. It is further proposed that the Council support the motion put forward by Amnesty International Australia, by resolving to write to all political parties with representation in the Federal Parliament encouraging them to consider an improved and expanded Community Sponsorship Program.

6. Strategic Planning and Policy Considerations

6.1. Supporting the campaign for an expanded and improved community sponsorship program for refugees is consistent with Pillar 2.2.1 of the Council endorsed Hobart: A community vision for our island capital:

“We make Hobart the most inclusive city in the world, a city that welcomes all.”

6.2. The Council’s support for the campaign aligns with Strategic Objective 4.4 of the Capital City Strategic Plan 2015 - 2025:

“Community Diversity is encouraged and celebrated”.

6.3. Support for the campaign would strongly align with the City of Hobart Social Inclusion Strategy 2014 - 2019 and Multicultural Strategy 2014 - 2019.

7. Financial Implications

7.1. There are no financial implications from this report.

8. Legal, Risk and Legislative Considerations

8.1. There are no legal, risk or legislative implications resulting from this proposal.

9. Environmental Considerations

9.1. There are no environmental implications from this report.

10. Social and Customer Considerations

10.1. One hundred and twenty-three Hobart residents have signed up to the campaign, showing their support for a strong Community Sponsorship Program.

10.2. The City of Hobart’s Networking for Harmony Multicultural Advisory Group aim to:

· provide a forum to discuss multicultural issues and develop recommendations for consideration by the Council;

· monitor the implementation of the Council’s Multicultural Strategy and to provide a consultation mechanism for subsequent updates of the Strategy; and

· form working groups for multicultural projects such as Harmony Day Welcome, Refugee Week and Human Rights Week.

10.3. Members of the Networking for Harmony Multicultural Advisory Group have indicated strong support for this campaign.

11. Marketing and Media

11.1. There are no marketing or media implications from this report.

12. Community and Stakeholder Engagement

12.1. The Networking for Harmony Multicultural Advisory Group, Community Participation Coordinator and Community Development Officer - Multicultural and Safety have been consulted in the preparation of this report.

13. Delegation

13.1. This is a matter for the Council’s determination.

Kimbra Parker

Acting Associate Director Community and Culture

Date: 29 November 2018

File Reference: F18/139519; 17/204

Attachment a: Amnesty International Australia request ⇩

about people	We value people – our community, our customers and colleagues.
professional	We take pride in our work.
enterprising	We look for ways to create value.
responsive	We’re accessible and focused on service.
inclusive	We respect diversity in people and ideas.
making a difference	We recognise that everything we do shapes Hobart’s future.