Council reverses funding cut to local charities
In an about-face, Northern Beaches Council has restored funding to three local charities after slashing their budgets in March.
Representatives of the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter, Avalon Youth Hub and Community Northern Beaches made emotional speeches at the April council meeting. They had not been permitted to speak at the March meeting given the late notice of the original motion to cut their funding.
Councillor Rory Amon moved a rescission motion to reverse council’s earlier decision, and a new motion was passed unanimously to retain $250,000 in funding for the next three years.
Despite this, charities have been put on notice that they will need provide ongoing evidence to council of the importance of their services to the community, and their performance against agreed key performance objectives.
Community Northern Beaches chief executive officer Craig Stevens said he was ‘grateful’ with the council’s decision. “We agree with the principles of equity and fairness for all community organisations to be supported,” Mr Stevens said. “What we didn’t agree with was this to be at the expense of services which we see as essential to the Northern Beaches community.
“We support people who (are living with) domestic violence, homelessness, or that fall through the cracks. People who don’t fit into other government- funded programs or where there are waiting lists. We are that safety net.”
Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter chair, Rosy Sullivan, applauded the council’s decision to retain its $65,500 grant. “Demand for our services has never been greater,” Ms Sullivan said.
“We believe that to meet the demand in our community, dedicated, ongoing and recurrent funding of crucial services like ours can ensure the best outcomes for the people we respond to by allowing future planning and development of our service.”
The Burdekin Association is the lead agency for the Avalon Youth Hub. Burdekin chief executive officer Justene Gordon said charities need to be considered as critical services for the community. “Council wanted to create a fair and equitable grants program, and sprinkle the funding more equally,” Ms Gordon said.
“I can tell you with 100 per cent certainty that money will be wasted if that is the focus.
“Grant funding should be targeted to the needs and gaps in the community.”
Ms Gordon said that while she was relieved with council’s decision, as it gave charities time to prepare and find new sources of funding, she hoped the authorities took the opportunity to conduct a proper study on where and how money has to be spent.
“The Avalon Youth Hub has been a resounding success,” Ms Gordon said. “It has saved lives and changed the trajectory of young people and families for the better.”
Ms Gordon said the Hub was a ‘shared’ responsibility of state and local government – as well as the Pittwater and Narrabeen communities.
“The Hub is a critical service in Pittwater and Narrabeen. If the Hub services ceased it would have a catastrophic impact.”