Statement by City of Stonnington Chief Executive Officer, Jacqui Weatherill
We've recently received some questions about the distribution of our COVID-19 Community Recovery Grants program and I'd like to clarify the situation.
The COVID-19 Community Recovery Grants program was approved as part of Council's 2020-21 budget. The program was designed and delivered to support community groups and organisations to provide short and long term initiatives to help our community respond and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. This was open to all groups and organisations looking to deliver programs in Stonnington.
Following an application and review process, in June $225,305 was allocated to a number of local groups and organisations. These include: Jesuit Social Services, Emerge Women and Children's Support Network, Launch Housing, Stonnington Toy Library, East Malvern Men's Shed, Rotary Club of Malvern and The Probus Club of Malvern. The groups who received funding are well known and trusted by our community. The program was delivered under Chief Executive Officer delegation within what was approved in Council's 2020-21 budget.
Seeing the benefits of community work is often why people decide to stand for Council, so a connection between Councillors and community groups is common. For complete transparency the administration and delivery of the grants program will be put through an audit process with a report to Council to follow.
