To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet.

 (Time allocated – 30 minutes).

The Committee received and noted those questions to be presented at Cabinet by the Chair in relation to unrestricted business on the agenda attached as appendices to these minutes.

To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet with particular reference to the report on the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Q2 2019-20

 (Time allocated – 30 minutes).

The noted that there were no questions to be presented at Cabinet by the Chair in relation to unrestricted business on the agenda.

To consider and agree pre-decision scrutiny questions/comments to be presented to Cabinet.

(Time allocated – 30 minutes).

The Committee received and noted those questions to be presented at Cabinet by the Chair in relation to unrestricted business on the agenda with reference to the Local Community Fund (LCF).  Tania Shaikh Operations Director of the Attlee Centre and Peter Okali Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Services (THCVS) were also in attendance and highlighted several points in relation to the LCF report.

Councillor Bex White left the meeting during the consideration of the LCF Report.

The Committee then asked a series of questions about LCF report and they may be summarised as follows:

The Committee

• Noted that the LCF report presented proposals for funding fifty projects to be run by voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations through the Local Community Fund (LCF) for the period 1^st October 2019 to 31^st March 2023 amounting to £9.31m over the 42-month period;
• Noted that despite many councils reducing their funding for the voluntary and community sector, Tower Hamlets has protected the current level of spending investing £2.6m a year to fund LCF projects;
• Was concern at the situation in the Borough with particular reference to (i) the lack of adequate funding for the provision of staffed play provisions; (ii) those Services recommended for funding 0-18 are all focused on arts and sports (iii) Services for under 5s and their parents are missing, including the youngest with severe disabilities;
• Noted that the Third Sector have requested that this be looked in to with reference to (i) Free unstructured play; (ii) More spaces and affordable activities; and (iii) Information of where families can attend together to improve family life;
• Noted the importance of play on mental health, building resilience, improving concentration, healthy relationships and behaviour;
• Noted that play needs to be considered as separate from sports; arts; drama and culture;
• Noted that despite the high level of funding available, the programme was significantly oversubscribed with bids for 240 projects submitted by over 130 organisations totalling more than £10m a year.  Which was almost four times the available budget and it was noted that has meant that some strong bids were unfortunately unsuccessful;
• Noted that the outcome of a review of the process undertaken by THCVS is awaited and LBTH will need to consider how it can assist in the leverage of funds from outside sources;
• Noted that THCVS has been tasked to support those groups through the process and establish a funder’s forum and look at how LBTH can use its influence to leverage monies out of other funders;
• Noted that the intention was for funding to be aligned with the Councils priorities;
• Noted that LBTH as a Living Wage Funder is committed to tackle low pay by encouraging those organisations it funds to pay the real Living Wage to their employees;
• Noted with concern that the lack of successful bids which specifically target older people in the south of the borough and that this may have a disproportionate negative impact.  However, it was noted that this would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10