Manawatū District Council

2. Revokes the Community Development Policy.

3. Notes that the operational detail, eligibility criteria, assessment processes, and funding priorities for Council-administered funding programmes will be contained within the Community Grants Guidelines.

4. Notes the following proposed funding approach changes for the 2026/27 funding year that will be outlined in the Community Grants Guidelines:

a.   The Representative Fund will be focused on applicants aged 19 years and under, with tiered funding available for regional, national, and international representation.

b.   The Community Development One-Off Fund criteria will be clarified to reflect that the “one-off” nature of the fund relates to the funding allocation itself rather than limiting support to one- off initiatives or projects, allowing greater flexibility to support initiatives and services that demonstrate clear community benefit.

c.   The Events Fund will move to a fully contestable approach, with no specific funding allocations reserved for individual events or organisations.

d.   The Council-funded traffic management support will continue for Anzac Day commemorations, Rural Day, and the Feilding Christmas Parade for the 2026/27 funding year, with all other event-related traffic management requests to be considered through the Events Fund application process.

e.   The future structure and administration of the Traffic Management Fund may be reviewed through future Long Term Plan discussions.

f.   The consequential amendments will be made to the Community Committee Policy and Marae and Hapū Development Policy to incorporate relevant funding administration and accountability provisions previously contained within the Community Development Policy.