Decision details
MSG Quarterly Monitoring Update 2018-19 and Rent
Decision Maker: Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in process)
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
To update the Grants Determination Sub-Committee (GDSC) on the performance of MSG projects for the 2015-18 programme, which is to be extended to the 31st March 2019. Performance will be related to whether the projects have met their output/outcome targets and whether there are any debtor or premises related issues. Each organisation is rated using the RAG system. Performance may include instances where projects have been RAG rated Red and recommendations for the GDSC to consider on how to proceed with these projects.
In addition the Sub-Committee is asked to agree a grant to organisations listed in the report and currently funded through Mainstream Grants towards the cost of increases in rent charged by the Council resulting from agreeing new leases for the period up to the end of the current round of MSG. This will allow the Council to meet its obligations to agree formal lease terms with all VCS organisations occupying its premises without causing unreasonable financial disadvantage to the organisations affected. There will be no overall financial impact on the Council as the grant will be repaid by the organisations in rent payments.
Decision:
The report was urgent due to the extension considerations for Mainstream Grants and the decisions required in relation to the decision.
Zena Cooke, (Corporate Director, Resources) presented the report, circulated in a supplementary agenda. The report covered the red ,amber and green projects, within the Council’s agreed MSG framework.
The Sub – Committee noted the issues in respect of the Tower Hamlets Youth Sports Foundation projects which had been rated as red projects. The Council had offered support to the THYSF over a period of 15 months to address the issues around outstanding monitoring returns and premises issues. The information required remained outstanding. The proposals complied with the criteria for the releasing of payments
The Mayor invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report. The Chair reported that they sought more information relating to the Tevoit British Bangledeshi Association regarding safeguarding issues. They considered that such information should be included in future monitoring reports if pertinent. Furthermore, whilst mindful of the support offered by the Council to THYSF, they urged that the GDSC should not suspend the grant payments at this stage but encourage officers to continue to offer support to the organisation. The GSSC endorsed all other recommendations in the report.
In view of the above, the Sub – Committee agreed that the consideration of the recommendation not to extend individual projects (as set out in Appendix 2 of the agenda item 7.6 MSG Extension report) be deferred for a further review of the impact on projects and if necessary be taken by the Mayor as an Individual Mayor Decision, should the timescales require this.
DECISION
1. That the Grants Determination Sub-Committee agrees the following decisions in respect of releasing of MSG payments to the projects as set out in section 3.3, 3.5, 3.8, , 3.10 and 3.11 of the report
Teviot British Bangladeshi Association. Payment be suspended to the Teviot British Bangladeshi Association pending the satisfactory clarification of operational arrangements, submission and agreement of an action plan to manage missed targets. Payment be released conditional on receipt of all information, together with confirmation of satisfactory performance. The Corporate Director, Resources after consultation with the Executive Mayor, be given delegated authority to release payments subject to these conditions being met.
Community of Refugees from Vietnam - East London that payment be suspended until a satisfactory monitoring visit is undertaken to confirm performance. In the event that the visit confirms satisfactory performance, payment be released.
Wadajir Somali Community Centre. In accordance with MSG procedures for amber related projects, Wadajir Somali Community Centre receive two thirds grant payment due pending a satisfactory monitoring visit to verify that service delivery has resumed in full. Once it is confirmed that satisfactory performance has resumed and performance is back to Green in accordance with the RAG performance rating, grant payments can be released accordingly.
Tower Hamlets Youth Sports Foundation - That in light of significant performance and outstanding premises issues across all three THYSF projects, payments be suspended in light of THYSF Red performance rating and that Grants Determination Sub Committee note the support offered to THYSF in resolving these issues and agree that:
For outstanding periods where there are premises issues only, individual payments be released upon satisfactory resolution via delegated authority by the Corporate Director, Resources.
For premises and performance issues combined, payments be released via delegated authority, conditional on receipt of all premises information required, together with confirmation of satisfactory performance for each payment period, by the Corporate Director, Resources after consultation with the Executive Mayor.
That the consideration of the recommendation 3 agenda item 7.6 be deferred for a further consideration of the implications on projects and if necessary the Mayor take the decision as an Individual Mayoral Decision should the timescales require this.
Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club. That payment to the Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club be suspended to the organisation until the Significant Variation request is agreed.
Pollyanna Training Theatre. That in recognition of Pollyanna Training Theatre’s willingness to enter into a property agreement with the Council, payment be released to the organisation subject to satisfactory performance.
Family Action. That in acknowledgement of Family Action completing their old license, including payment of rent and considering their willingness to enter into an appropriate property agreement, MSG payments be released for this period subject to satisfactory performance.
2. That the organisations listed in table 1 are granted a rent subsidy for up to the mentioned amounts. This would be from the completion of their new lease arrangements with the Council to the end of their MSG funding (30th September 2019)
Organisation |
Current rent |
Proposed rent |
Subsidy 1st July 18 to 30th Sept 19 |
Age UK East London |
0 |
£32,000 |
£40,000 |
Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club |
0 |
£26,500 |
£32,500 |
Black Women's Health and Family Support |
0 |
£34,000 |
£42,500 |
Legal Advice Centre (University House) |
0 |
£24,000 |
£30,000 |
Our Base Ltd |
0 |
£6,000 |
£7,500 |
Stifford Centre |
£7,500 |
£24,450 |
£63,563 |
Tower Hamlets Community Transport |
£600 |
£60,000 |
£75,000 |
That given Osmani’s Significant Variation request has no adverse impact on achieving agreed project objectives and outcomes; the Significant Variation request is agreed.
That the significant variation for the Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club be agreed and amendments be made to the organisations offer letter.
Report author: Steve Hill
Publication date: 20/06/2018
Date of decision: 06/06/2018
Decided at meeting: 06/06/2018 - Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee
Accompanying Documents:
- MSG Performance Report Period 9 (Oct - Dec 2017) 15.5.18 FINAL PDF 157 KB
- Appendix 1 - Proj Perf Oct-Dec 17 - 16 May 18 PDF 332 KB
- Appendix 2 - RAG Status - 16 May 2018 PDF 102 KB
- Appendix 3 - Beneficiary data 160518 PDF 487 KB
- Appendix 4.1 - Theme 1 summary - 16 May 2018 PDF 241 KB
- Appendix 4.2 - Theme 2 summary - May 2018 PDF 254 KB
- Appendix 4.3 - Theme 3 summary - May 2018 PDF 230 KB
- Appendix 4.4 - Theme 4 summary - May 2018 PDF 141 KB