Whittlesea Community Connections is to receive a $4000 grant from Murrindindi Shire Council to support the commencement of a TAC L2P program within the Kinglake and surrounding areas.

This application has been approved in part to the value of $4000. This acknowledges that there are some costs associated with extending the program to Kinglake and setting up a new vehicle.

Some costs identified in the budget can be supported through L2P program funding.

The matter is to go before the Murrindindi Shire Council meeting due to be held in Yea on Wednesday night (Jan. 22)>

However, Councillors have been removed from the decision-making process for grants as part of the changes to assessment processes of the Grants and Contributions Program that have been made as a result of the recommendations from an investigation into local government grant practices by the Local Government Inspectorate.

Instead, Councillors to receive full report for all applications and the rationale for the outcome of the officer assessment.

In other appplication, The Ensemble Goldentree requested grant funds of $4500 to support the presentation of three 60-90 minute chamber music concerts at Marysville Information and Regional Artspace in Autumn 2020.

A $1000 allocation is offered in support of the proposed event, alternatively officers would be pleased to work with the organising group to find another model that encourages greater participation and meets the objectives of the grant stream.

The Skillhouettes Business requested a grant of $1740 to support development of a clear strategy for marketing through attendance of a marketing training opportunity and to improve organisational governance through participation in mentoring sessions to develop a strategic business plan. This application has been approved in full.