Afazul Hoque presented the update report, including an overview of the LCF, and the Sub – Committee’s decision to extend the programme.

The performance report covers the period October 2021 to March 2022. It reports on the five themes of the LCF and the Infrastructure & Capacity Building funding. The Project Summary (Appendix 2) gives an update by each project.

It was noted that:

·       The Voluntary and Community Sector (VSC) organisations had worked hard to support residents during the pandemic – and in may cases they had to adapt  their approach to delivering projects and had demonstrated a lot of resilience.

·       The LCF has a number of themes. Of the 50 projects,  47 have been classified as green. Three had been classified red. Two of these related to  tenancy issues. It was proposed that payment to these organisations be suspended until these issues had been solved. Progress has been made with addressing these issues. A further project been classified as red as the project had been suspended- the St Hilda’s East Community Centre’s Surjamuki Disabled Youth Project.

·       There had been an increase in demand for support from LCF providers with the increase in the costs of living and impact of Covid 19. The projects themselves had encountered a number of challenges. The Council were working with organisations to continue to make sure they deliver good services

·       Two projects had been classified as red, due to the lack of an agreed lease. It was proposed that payment to these organisations be suspended until this been solved. Progress has been made with addressing these issues. Most projects were green rated.

·       The report also provided an update on the Infrastructure and Capacity Building programme, and the nature of this work to support VSC projects. It also provided details of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) trustee training scheme including the proposed outcomes.

RESOLVED:

1.       Note the performance of the Local Community Fund (LCF) programme as set out in 3.2 to 3.7 and Appendix 2 for October 2021 – March 2022

2.       Note the suspension of LCF project payment to Age UK East London’s Caxton Hall and Friend at Home projects due to premises issues as set out in paragraph 3.2 (e) and (f)

1.             Note the permanent suspension of St Hilda’s East Community Centre’s Surjamuki Disabled Youth Project as set out in paragraph 3.2 (e) and (g)

4.       Note the updates on the funded organisations in Council premises and the Infrastructure & Capacity Building funding as set out in 3.8 to 3.9.

5.       Note the programme for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) trustee training and matching with local VCS organisations, that is being delivered via the Infrastructure and Capacity Building programme, as set out in 3.9 (d).

Catherine Boyd, (Interim Head of Arts, Parks and EventsArts) presented the report. The report asked the Sub – Committee to note a decision taken by the Chief Executive (before the May 2022 election), in compliance with the Constitution.

The particular decision was to fund the Trust and to maintain their solvency due to lost commercial income and increased costs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

RESOLVED:

1.             Note the decision taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the Constitution