Councillors at last week's meeting voted unanimously to support the proposal made by community and economic development officer Susie Bower.

In her report to councillors, Ms Bower said that the council's small grants program, had, for a number of years, allowed for projects up to $2000, to be allocated funding.

Larger grants were dealt with in budget estimates or through a variation of the budget process, she said.

``Except to the small grants, the process was largely ad hoc,'' Ms Bower said.

``The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for (the) council to allocate funds in an effective and equitable manner.''

Ms Bower identified three grant streams:

Small grants - for up to $1000.

Community matching funding grants - up to $4000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis, matching or in-kind, for a ``whole range of programs''.

Councillors' discretionary grants - for projects on council-owned properties.