The Deputy Director for Mental Health and Joint Commissioning introduced the report which concerned renewal of grants under the Mental Health User Led Grants Programme which were approved by Commissioners on 12 April 2016 and a request to increase awards for named projects utilising unallocated monies from projects that closed.

The written comments of Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee (GSSC) were noted, in particular that project outcomes should be measured and an outcomes questionnaire be obligatory to build an evidence base.

Councillor Saunders indicated that she supported the proposals.

DECISION

1. That the increased awards for the Mental Health Grants Programme which totals an additional £16,672 for the 2017-2018 year of the programme be authorised.

2. The individual groups and renewed allocations listed below be noted:

3. That the Mental Health User Led Grants recommended for the period 2017-18 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

The Deputy Director for Mental Health and Joint Commissioning introduced the report which concerned renewal of grants under the Mental Health User Led Grants Programme and a request to increase awards for named projects utilising unallocated monies from projects that had closed.  The programme had been initially approved by Commissioners on 12 April 2016.

The written comments of Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee (GSSC) were noted, in particular that project outcomes should be measured and an outcomes questionnaire be obligatory to build an evidence base.

Councillor Saunders indicated that she supported the proposals. Members also noted that the projects would also be appraised.

RESOLVED

1. That the increased awards for the Mental Health Grants Programme which totals an additional £16,672 for the 2017-2018 year of the programme be authorised.

2. The individual groups and renewed allocations listed below be noted:

3. That the Mental Health User Led Grants recommended for the period 2017-18 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be noted.

Carrie Kilpatrick, Commissioning Manager, Health, Adults and Community Directorate informed members the 2016/17 Tower Hamlets User led Grants (ULG) programme was approved to fund 31 user led groups to provide social and therapeutic activities that promote social inclusion, well-being, and independence for people with mental health problems aged over 18. Use led groups are at the heart of the Council’s strategy to develop services that give more choice and control to service users.

She referred members to page 35 and the recommendation to provide and additional £16,672 for year 2017/18 to the groups listed in the table.

Members of the Grant’s Scrutiny Sub-Committee asked the following questions:

·         Referring to page 36, of the 31 groups 24 met the required conditions. What is being done to build capacity because the number of groups has reduced?

·         Of the 7 groups which did not meet the criteria, was money paid to them? If so was any money returned?

·         Is mentoring provided to the user led groups?

·         In reference to Appendix A, page 53 more information about the groups is needed.

·         Are the projects evaluated and if so are the outcomes based on health outcomes?

Members of the Sub-Committee NOTED the report and AGREED the recommendation contained within the report. Members asked their comments be reported to the Grants Determination Sub-Committee.