Meeting adjourned at 6:35pm to allow further time for the Members to arrive.

Meeting commenced at 6.45pm.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer Greener, Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Lead Member Resources and Performance and Councillor Rania Khan, Lead Member for Regeneration, Localisation and Community Partnerships.

Resolved

That the apologies for absence be noted.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer Greener, Councillor Ohid Ahmed, Lead Member Resources and Performance and Councillor Rania Khan, Lead Member for Regeneration, Localisation and Community Partnerships.

Resolved

That the apologies for absence be noted.

The Chair requested that in future, when Members submit apologies for absence they do so at an early stage to enable Deputies to be appointed.

To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Chief Executive.

No declarations of interest were made.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any deputations or petitions.

Deadline for the submission of any deputations is 12 noon Friday 19^th March 2010.

None received.

None received.

Resolved

1.         That funding as per Service Agreements be continued to the twelve organisations which are achieving agreed targets and outputs;

2.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate proportionate reduced funding for the duration of the service agreement, if St Hilda’s does not achieve full outputs by the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010);

3.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate a reduced rate of funding and a reduced target for days with RADICLE at St James the Less and review progress against targets at the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010);

4.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to negotiate proportionate funding to Toynbee Hall, and review progress against targets at the end of Quarter 1 (June 2010); and

5.         That Officers in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing be delegated authority to renegotiate outputs and funding with Women’s Health and Family Services with a variation in the Service Agreement being in place by the beginning of Quarter 2 (July 2010).

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR ADULTS HEALTH AND WELLBEING (H. TAYLOR)

Service Head, Commissioning Manager, Older People, Adults Health and Wellbeing.

Commissioning Manager, Older People Adults Health and Wellbeing (B. Disney)

Ms Barbara Disney (Commissioning Manager, Older People Adults Health and Wellbeing ) presented the report which presented Members with details of funding for Older People Lunch Club projects for the period up until the end of Quarter 3 (December 2009). The report requested that Officers be delegated to take forward a number of recommendations.

In relation to project progress (as set out in Appendix A), Ms Disney drew attention to the following matters.

St Hilda’s. There had been some improvement in performance and an increase in attendance. The organisation was achieving a high percentage of their targets. Members welcomed the fact they had taken on board their suggestions.

Members expressed support for the approach proposed given their good track record.

In relation to the recommendations, Councillor Francis requested that the following be added to recommendations 2.2, 2.3 2.4 and 2.5 which was seconded by Councillor Asad.

“….in consultation with the Lead Member for Adults Health and Wellbeing”

St James the Less – RADICLE. Ms Disney reported that officers had carried out a considerable amount of work with the organisation. The project provided services for Hackney residents.  However the Council did not fund these services. It was recommended that the service be decommissioned. The organisation was fully aware of the implications of this proposal and that it may result in their closure.

Members considered that, if decommissioned, there would be a significant gap in provision in the area. Given this, Members considered whether, instead of decommissioning, they should renegotiate a reduced rate of funding and a reduced rate of days with the organisation. Councillor Asad also considered that the group may wish to review their business plan and their communications policy.

Accordingly, Councillor Francis proposed an amendment to recommendation 2.3 which was supported by Councillor Asad regarding RADICLE at St James.

Toynbee Hall. The group had produced a good business plan. Their attendance levels had risen to seven clients per day. The group were confident that they could reach their targets. Members expressed support for the recommendation. Councillor Asad stressed the need to support the organisation given the scale of the overcrowding and social deprivation in the area.

Councillor Asad suggested that may also wish to explore the possibility of a merger with other groups and the possibly of running a project with Dementia support groups. Another option was to suggest they explore alternative accommodation.

Women’s Health and Family Services. Ms Disney reported that their average attendance levels were very low. Members asked questions about the location of their accommodation, whether one of their sites was based in Hanbury Street and the other was located in the Spitalfields area.

Members queried the size of the Somalia community in these areas compared to that elsewhere.  Ms Disney stated that officers could consider looking into these issues.

The Chair then moved the recommendations taking into account the amendments proposed and it was:

Resolved

1.         That funding as per Service Agreements be continued to the twelve organisations which are achieving agreed targets and outputs;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.1

Resolved

1.         That first year funding from June to end of the financial year 2010 for the ten organisations which have been successful in the commissioning process and met the priorities agreed by Cabinet on 2^nd December 2010 be agreed.  Funding for subsequent year will be subject to budget;

2.         That the budget be reduced by 10% and from this balance:

The Berner Estate Tenants Association be awarded proportionate  funding for Year 1 (9 months) and an award of £5,000 for Year 2 of the agreement subject to compliance with the funding criteria.

3.         That Officers be requested to circulate to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Panel copies of the following organisations applications:

·                    Tower Hamlets Parents Centre

·                    Children’s Education Group

·                    Brune Bernard Carter Community Centre (BBC Elderly Services)

4.         That on receipt of this information Officers in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Panel be authorised to determine whether their applications should be accommodated in the budget subject to compliance with the funding criteria.

Action by:

ACTING CORPORATE DIRECTOR ADULTS HEALTH AND WELLBEING (H. TAYLOR)

Service Head, Commissioning Manager, Older People, Adults Health and Wellbeing. 

Commissioning Manager, Older People Adults Health and Wellbeing (B. Disney)

Ms Barbara Disney (Commissioning Manager, Older People Adults Health and Wellbeing) presented a report seeking the Grant’s Panels decisions on Mainstream Grant awards for the period 1^st July 2010 to 31^st March 2013. Ms Disney reported on the funding priorities for the budget as agreed by Members. Details of the applications submitted were set out in the appendix to the report. Following officer assessment it was recommended that ten projects be recommended for funding.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Disney reported on the services provided by each of the ten project recommended for funding.

In response to the recommendations, Councillor Asad considered that there were a number of other organisations where there were significant problems with overcrowding and social deprivation. He considered that further consideration be given to their applications as set out below:

Brune Bernard Carter Community Centre (BBC Elderly Services). Ms Disney clarified the reasons why their application was unsuccessful. It contained no real evidence, no proof of plans. It failed to clarify what they intended to offer. There was no management structure. Councillor Asad reported that he had recently met with the group. Whilst he was there, there were around 60-70 visitors. He considered that maybe the group were not familiar with the application process. It was noted that the project was funded last year, but had not progressed far enough.

The Berner Estate Tenants Association. Councillor Asad stated that he had paid a visit to the project. He found that a large number of elderly people visited the organisation where they shared experiences. It provided a much needed service for elderly residents. Ms Disney reported that whilst the group’s application met the minimal standards, it covered such a small area. Officers based their decision on need and value for money  and the fact  that a large number of other projects scored a higher score. The organisation was primarily a social club.

The Children’s Education Group. Councillor Asad considered that the organisation provided support to elderly women, whilst the project may not be for women only. It operated in a very deprived area therefore provided a much needed service. Ms Disney reported that the project’s scored a low score and it lacked clear plans and details of their management structure. Moreover it was considered that the project duplicated services already provided by the NHS.

Tower Hamlets Parents Centre. Councillor Asad  had visited the organisation with Officers and considered that it provided a good service, there were a large number of women there from a diverse ethnic background. Ms Disney reported that the project duplicated services already provided by the NHS around health lifestyles. Councillor Asad considered that it provided a well structured programme that was accredited. He considered that the project was well managed yet it duplicated work.

Following this discussion, Members discussed whether the above groups should be supported. Consequently Councillor Asad proposed a number of additional recommendations regarding the need to reconsider their applications which was seconded by Councillor Francis.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.2

Nil Items.

Nil Items.