Decision number: 047/2024_25
Author and Job Role: George Bell, Criminal Justice Policy & Commissioning Officer
Protective Marking: Official
Executive summary:
For 2024/25, the Police and Crime Commissioner has made available £270,000 of funding to reduce reoffending in Surrey.
Application for Small Grant Award below £5,000:
Spelthorne Mental Health Association – Community Payback Project – Anne Damerell
Brief overview of service/decision:
To award £2,000 to Spelthorne Mental Health Association for their community payback project.
Reason for funding:
1) To reduce reoffending. The project is a collaboration between Spelthorne MHA and the Probation Service’s unpaid work team to construct a variety of bird boxes, bug hotels, bat boxes, and hedgehog houses.
People on probation will build these items, learning new skills and techniques using various machines and tools.
They will also develop teamwork and problem-solving abilities, which are highly valued by potential employers.
2) Working with Surrey communities so that they feel safe.
This initiative brings together the unpaid work team and two charities, creating a positive impact on the local community and helps supports individuals in becoming productive members of society.
Mike Ledwidge – The Restorative Justice Training Company – Provision of Restorative Justice Interventions
Brief overview of service/decision:
To award £2,341 to The Restorative Justice Training Company for the provision of restorative justice interventions.
Reason for funding:
To reduce reoffending and protect people from harm in Surrey.
Restorative processes are primarily for the benefit of victims of crime (or other harm).
The benefits are significant, but there is also considerable crime reduction value as it has been shown to be the most powerful way of changing offender’s behaviour.
Mike Ledwidge has been delivering restorative justice interventions and training for over 25 years.
Recommendation:
That the Commissioner supports these small grant applications to the Reducing Reoffending Fund and awards to the following;
- £2,000 to Spelthorne Mental Health Association
- £2,341 to The Restorative Justice Training Company (Mike Ledwidge)
Police and Crime Commissioner approval:
I approve the recommendation(s):
Signature: PCC Lisa Townsend (wet signed copy held in Office)
Date: 4th February 2025
All decisions must be added to the decision register.
Areas of consideration:
Consultation
Consultation has taken place with appropriate lead officers depending on the application. All applications have been asked to supply evidence of any consultation and community engagement.
Financial implications
All applications have been asked to confirm the organisation hold accurate financial information. They are also asked to include the total costs of the project with breakdown where the money will be spent; any additional funding secured or applied for and plans for on-going funding. The Reducing Reoffending Fund Decision Panel/Criminal Justice policy officers considers the financial risks and opportunities when looking at each application.
Legal
Legal advice is taken on an application-by-application basis.
Risks
The Reducing reoffending Fund Decision Panel and Criminal Justice policy officers considers any risks in the allocation of funding. It is also part of the process to consider when refusing an application, the service delivery risks if appropriate.
Equality and diversity
Each application will be requested to supply appropriate equality and diversity information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Equality Act 2010
Risks to human rights
Each application will be requested to supply appropriate human rights information as part of the monitoring requirements. All applicants are expected to adhere to the Human Rights Act.