Issue - meetings
MSG Quarterly Monitoring Update 2018-19 and Rent Increases (IO80423)
Meeting: 06/06/2018 - Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee (Item 7.7)
7.7 MSG Quarterly Monitoring Update 2018-19 and Rent PDF 157 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - Proj Perf Oct-Dec 17 - 16 May 18, item 7.7 PDF 332 KB
- Appendix 2 - RAG Status - 16 May 2018, item 7.7 PDF 102 KB
- Appendix 3 - Beneficiary data 160518, item 7.7 PDF 487 KB
- Appendix 4.1 - Theme 1 summary - 16 May 2018, item 7.7 PDF 241 KB
- Appendix 4.2 - Theme 2 summary - May 2018, item 7.7 PDF 254 KB
- Appendix 4.3 - Theme 3 summary - May 2018, item 7.7 PDF 230 KB
- Appendix 4.4 - Theme 4 summary - May 2018, item 7.7 PDF 141 KB
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 ... view the full decision text for item 7.7
Meeting: 04/06/2018 - Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee (Item 7)
7 MSG Quarterly Monitoring Update 2018-19 (IO80423) PDF 157 KB
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - Proj Perf Oct-Dec 17 - 16 May 18 vfinal, item 7 PDF 332 KB
- Appendix 2 - RAG Status - 16 May 2018, item 7 PDF 102 KB
- Appendix 3 - Beneficiary data 160518, item 7 PDF 487 KB
- Appendix 4.1 - Theme 1 summary - 16 May 2018 final, item 7 PDF 241 KB
- Appendix 4.2 - Theme 2 summary - May 2018, item 7 PDF 254 KB
- Appendix 4.3 - Theme 3 summary - May 2018 final, item 7 PDF 230 KB
- Appendix 4.4 - Theme 4 summary - May 2018, item 7 PDF 141 KB
Minutes:
Steve Hill, Head of Benefit Services presented his quarterly report on the Main Stream Grant (MSG) 2015/18 for Period 9, quarter October to December 2017.
He explained projects were classified as Green, Amber or Red within the Council’s agreed performance management framework and presently there were 112 live projects. For the period of October to December 2017 there were 6 Red rated projects and 1 Amber rated project.
Mr Hill addressed each recommendation within the report, pages 8 -11, of the supplementary agenda explaining what was being requested.
David Freeman, Strategy Manager for the Voluntary and Community Sector explained the reason why some organisations required a rent subsidy to their MSG funding in order to bridge the gap whilst new leases and building contacts were agreed.
Mr Hill also gave an explanation on the variation requests made by the Osmani Trust and Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club – pages 13-14.
The Chair, Councillor Marc Francis invited members to comment upon the recommendations made within the report and for any questions that members had:
Recommendation 1: Teviot British Bangladeshi Association
· What was the reason why they asked for funding to be ceased?
· Can information be provided on the safeguarding issue raised?
o ACTION: Steve Hill to provide this information to Members.
· Can the timeframe for the operational matter not be extended so to resolve the issue rather than red rate the organisation?
· Page 21 states they have a grant of £6,000 of which £4,666 has been paid. So the variance is just £500.00?
· What is the reason that the Corporate Director will be making the decision on the release of payment?
Members of the Sub-Committee AGREED and NOTED the recommendation made to the Grants Determination Sub-Committee.
Recommendation 2 – Community of Refugees from Vietnam – East London
The recommendation no longer applied.
Recommendation 3 – Wadajir Somali Community Centre
· Two Thirds of the grant payment is pending for this organisation. Can a specific time be stated as to when the monitoring visit is to take place?
o ACTION: Steve Hill stated that this can be done for future reports to the sub-committee.
· When is the youth worker likely to return from Somalia?
Members of the Sub-Committee AGREED and NOTED the recommendation made to the Grants Determination Sub-Committee.
Recommendation 4 – Tower Hamlets Youth Sports Foundation
Councillor Andrew Wood provided the sub-committee members with an explanation on the background to the organisation and said that the issues experienced in terms of premises contracts was due to the Foundation operating from 30 different locations. Councillor Wood said it was a good organisation but was struggling at present.
· It is clear the issue is about the organisation’s income and expenditure. 55 out of 57 schools were working with the organisation but schools are now not buying their sport packages due to funding cuts. The organisation has seen a reduction in staff. Can you clarify the number of full-time staff employed and if they are employees of the Council?
· How can an organisation which is performing ... view the full minutes text for item 7