At today’s City Strategy Committee meeting Councillors unanimously voted to amend a recommendation which will continue WelCAB’s funding at $210,787 for the coming year. Funding for years two and three will be determined by a review process.



Wellington Mayor Justin Lester says the decision is supported by both the Council and WelCAB.



“We want to make sure the organisation has the best chance of continuing to deliver for Wellingtonians. WelCAB has an important role to play in ensuring our citizens are informed about their rights and resources. We want to ensure this is done in the best possible way.”



Councillor Brian Dawson, Social Development portfolio lead, says WelCAB has a good track record.



“But we need to identify any gaps in existing services. We want to try and make sure youth, refugees, social housing tenants and those in areas of need such as Strathmore and Linden will be covered by services," he says.



It is important for the review to be carried out thoroughly and Council officers and CAB will report back to the Council in the first quarter of 2019, he says.



WelCAB area manager Lucy Trevelyan says the decision is pleasing. “We are so pleased we have come to a good outcome and we are looking forward to working with the Council and continuing to offer our services in Wellington and developing them to meet the needs of all Wellingtonians.”



The City Strategy Committee today approved funding for the four multi-year contracts over $100,000 recommended by the Grants Subcommittee two weeks ago – making it 32 recipient groups and organisations in total.



These multi-contract grants are acknowledged as support for groups and community organisations that contribute to making the capital better and stronger in the social, environmental and cultural sectors, and directly contribute to Council’s strategic goals.



The funding comes under two categories, Social and Recreation and Arts and Culture, and Mayor Lester is pleased to be able to support all these key arts and social partners.



“With three-year funding agreements these groups and organisations have certainty about our relationship with them, and their future. I’m also happy to confirm some new arts contracts, which include support for Litcrawl, Chamber Music New Zealand, The Theatre Awards Trust, and for the always popular Performance Arcade.”



In total, the Grants Subcommittee approved 18 organisations supported through Arts and Culture funding with $1,012,500 allocated for 2018/19, and 14 organisations supported through Social and Recreation funding with $806,217 allocated for 2018/19.



Grants Subcommittee chair Councillor Sarah Free supports the on-going support to these organisations delivering valuable social and community services.



“There is such a range of remarkable recipients of these funds, all of which contribute to the city’s diverse tapestry, character, culture and economy.



“We have committed ongoing support to the Wellington Free Ambulance, Life Flight Trust, and Wellington City Mission. There’s also Evolve who work with vulnerable young people from their base in the James Smith building, and Kaibosh who rescue food for over 40 organisations.”



City Safety portfolio lead Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons is supportive of today’s decisions too.



“It’s great to see two organisations new to multi-year funding who we partner with on preventing and responding to sexual violence – the Sexual Abuse Prevention Network and Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation.



“Both of which will continue to support us in our goal to eliminate sexual violence in the city,” adds Councillor Fitzsimons.



Contracts are generally for three years, with agreed milestones and performance measures subject to annual revision. Organisations will have a designated support person at the Council who may be involved in monitoring their progress.



