Recommendation B10

Public Assistance for District Projects

If and insofar as the review I have recommended concludes that there is some public benefit to having public funds allocated to local, district projects then I recommend that consideration be given to (i) having clearly expressed and published criteria by which such potential projects are assessed for public assistance; (ii) an open and transparent process for the proper recording, assessment and monitoring of projects; and (iii) assessment and monitoring being made, not by (or just by) elected public officials, but by a panel including members of the relevant district community. However, steps should also be taken to ensure that current or ongoing grants are not inappropriately interrupted by this proposed recalibration, and that recipients of grants are not unfairly prejudiced by the change of system to one that is more open and transparent. Transitional provisions may be required. Funds that have been allocated to such grants can be reallocated for distribution through such transitional provisions, before any new, more permanent system is established.