The Corporate Director, Resources and Head of Grants Service presented the report which provided monitoring information on voluntary sector projects that receive grant funding in accordance with the Council’s agreed performance management framework.  Supplementary information was provided in relation to premises’ issues relating to a number of organisations which operate from council buildings which were not classed as community buildings.

Comments of Councillor Harrisson on behalf of Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee were noted.  The recommendations as set out in the reports and addenda, except that relating to Children Education Group, were supported.

Members noted the supplementary information provided in regard to premises’ issues that had been raised by organisations and were broadly satisfied with the solutions proposed.  Members were minded to offer a further opportunity to resolve premises issues to Children Education Group and asked officers to engage with this organisation to this end.

DECISIONS

Recommendation 1:

Based on the written representation from Children Education Group, Members’ views and taking into account the policy in respect of premises under Commissioners directions, the Grants Determination Sub Committee decided no MSG funding be released to the Children Education Group but have requested officers engage with this organisation to help resolve current premises issues.

Recommendation 2

Based on the supplementary information provided by officers regarding Monnakar Monowar Welfare Foundation that the organisation had emailed the Grants Team on 9^th January 2017 advising that they wish to terminate project activities, Grants Determination Sub Committee agreed that funding be withdrawn and that the termination request be noted.

Recommendation 3

Based on the information provided in the main report, that the following projects:

·         DeafPLUS  Employment for Deaf and Disabled people in Tower Hamlets (EDITH)

·         Toynbee Hall, Wellbeing in Tower Hamlets

·         Somali Parents and Childrens Play, Somali Women Engagement Forum

beawarded two thirds of MSG funding due, in accordance with the agreed procedures.

Recommendation 4

Based on the information provided relating to projects that have improved their performance ratings to Green, the following organisations

·         Teviot British Bangladeshi Association – Opportunity

·         Wadajir Somali Community Centre – Wadajir Homework Club Two

·         Toynbee Hall – Well Being Centre

·         Age UK East London – Friend at Home

·         Bangladesh Youth Movement – “Live Healthy – Enjoy Life” Bangladeshi Women Health and Development

beawarded the appropriate funding commensurate with their Green performance rating.

Recommendation 5

Based on the information provided in the report and submission from The Shadwell Community Project (SCP) – the People Gap, that the significant variation request be approved for reduced outputs for Period 4 (July to September 2016) and Period 8 (July to September 2017), conditional on SCP having implemented the following actions prior to 11th January 2017and 17^th January 2017:

·         submission of a satisfactory finance monitoring returns for Periods 1 to 3

·         submission of outstanding monitoring information for Period 4

·         confirmation of a clear target date for an action plan to improve organisational management and project management. This plan should include appropriate SMART targets

·         better communication systems addressing delays in responding to e-mails and  ...  view the full decision text for item 7

The Corporate Director, Resources and Head of Grants Service presented the report which provided monitoring information on voluntary sector projects that receive grant funding in accordance with the Council’s agreed performance management framework.  Supplementary information was provided in relation to premises’ issues relating to a number of organisations which operate from council buildings which were not classed as community buildings.  Members of the Sub Committee also considered the public representations made in regard to the report.

The Chair invited:

·      the Vice-Chair of GSSC to comment on the proposals on behalf of its members and she informed the Sub-Committee that Members of GSSC were pleased with the revised style of the report which provided better clarity. They supported the recommendations as set out in the report, except that relating to Children Education Group.  She noted the supplementary information provided and supported the additional recommendations made.

·      Members of the Grants Determination Sub Committee to comment on the report. They noted the supplementary information provided in regard to premises’ issues that had been raised by organisations and were broadly satisfied with the solutions proposed.  Members were minded to offer a further opportunity to resolve premises issues to Children Education Group and asked officers to engage with this organisation to this end.

Commissioner Caller clarified the principles which informed how Commissioners had previously resolved matters related to property.

The Chair noted the issues discussed and asked that a report on TRA be presented at a future meeting.

Action by: S. Hill, Head of Grants Service

RESOLVED

Recommendation 1:

Based on the written representation from Children Education Group, Members’ views and taking into account the policy in respect of premises under Commissioners directions, the Grants Determination Sub Committee decided no MSG funding be released to the Children Education Group but have requested officers engage with this organisation to help resolve current premises issues.

Recommendation 2

Based on the supplementary information provided by officers regarding Monnakar Monowar Welfare Foundation that the organisation had emailed the Grants Team on 9^th January 2017 advising that they wish to terminate project activities, Grants Determination Sub Committee agreed that funding be withdrawn and that the termination request be noted.

Recommendation 3

Based on the information provided in the main report, that the following projects:

·         DeafPLUS  Employment for Deaf and Disabled people in Tower Hamlets (EDITH)

·         Toynbee Hall, Wellbeing in Tower Hamlets

·         Somali Parents and Childrens Play, Somali Women Engagement Forum

beawarded two thirds of MSG funding due, in accordance with the agreed procedures.

Recommendation 4

Based on the information provided relating to projects that have improved their performance ratings to Green, the following organisations

·         Teviot British Bangladeshi Association – Opportunity

·         Wadajir Somali Community Centre – Wadajir Homework Club Two

·         Toynbee Hall – Well Being Centre

·         Age UK East London – Friend at Home

·         Bangladesh Youth Movement – “Live Healthy – Enjoy Life” Bangladeshi Women Health and Development

beawarded the appropriate funding commensurate with their Green performance rating.

Recommendation 5

Based on the information provided in the report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7