Councillor Edgar nominated and Councillor Begum seconded that Mayor Biggs be appointed Chair of the Sub-Committee.  There were no other  nominations, therefore it was

RESOLVED

That Mayor Boggs be appointed Chair of Grants Determination Sub Committee.

To note the changes to the Directions from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The Chair informed all present that on 16 January 2017 the Secretary of State had written to inform the Mayor that grant making functions may be returned to the Council subject to Commissioner oversight.

He welcomed Commissioner Caller who was in attendance to carry out the oversight role.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Rachael Saunders.

Declarations of interest were made by:

Mayor Biggs made a declaration in respect of agenda item 7.2 in that he had in the distant past been on the Board of Stepney City Farm. 

Councillor Begum in respect of agenda item 7.4 in that her husband was on the Board of Tower Hamlets Youth Sports Foundation.

To note for information the decisions of the meeting of the Commissioners Decision Making Meeting held on 8 November 2016.

The decision of the Commissioners Decision Making Meeting held on 8 November 2016 were noted and agreed.

Consideration of any written comments received from members of the public in relation to any of the reports on the agenda.

[Any submissions should be sent to the clerk listed on the agenda front page by 5pm the day before the meeting]

Public submissions in relation to agenda item 7.4 ‘MSG Project Performance Report –Period 4 July-September 2016 were received from the following organisations and considered as part of the discussion of the item:

Shadwell Community Project re: Glamis Place Gardens.

Black Women’s Health and Family Support and Age UK regarding premises at 82 Russia Lane.

Tower Hamlets CVS regarding premises arrangements for the following projects:

Bethnal Green Weightlifting Club

Black Womens Health and Family Support (Russia Lane)

Age UK (Russia Lane)

Pollyanna (Wapping TRA)

Weavers Adventure Playground Association

Tower Hamlets Community Transport

Shadwell Community Project (Glamis Adventure Playground)

Tower Hamlets CVS on behalf of Osmani Trust.

To note for information individual decisions relating to the award of grants that have been taken by Commissioners since the last CDMM meeting.

The Sub Committee noted four urgent decisions discharged by Commissioners as individual decisions on 20 December 2016.

The Energy and Sustainability Service Manager presented the report which proposed to deliver a programme of energy efficiency visits for referrals under the WARMTH programme.

The Chair invited:

·         the Vice-Chair of Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee to comment on the proposals on behalf of its members and

·         Members of the Grants Determination Sub Committee to comment on the proposals.

All indicated that they supported the project and welcomed the proposal that the project had been funded for wider delivery in future.  Their comments were noted.

RESOLVED

That grant funding of £25,000 to continue the delivery of the WARMTH programme through Q4 2016/2017 be approved.

The Energy and Sustainability Service Manager presented the report which concerned project funding for accessibility works at Stepney City Farm which has been secured through an S106 contribution associated with the nearby Ocean Estate Redevelopment.

The Chair invited:

·         the Vice-Chair of Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee (GSSC) to comment on the proposals on behalf of its members and she informed the Sub-Committee that Members of GSSC supported the project for which the monies had been awarded and wished to explore how community organisations could better access this category of funding

·         Members of the Grants Determination Sub Committee to comment on the proposals and they indicated that they supported the project.   The Energy and Sustainability Service Manager clarified the funding was to be used to establish the project and that Stepney City Farm would fund ongoing delivery from its other funding streams.

RESOLVED

That grant funding of £32,500 to Stepney City Farm be approved, to improve the water efficiency and visitor experience around the farm and ensure the community facility is accessible to all.

The Localisation Manager presented the report which sought Members’ approval to passport funding of £30,000 from LBTH to Poplar HARCA for the A12 Green Mile Pocket Park Project.  The sum represents the Council’s contribution towards the total funding amount of £197,500.

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 supported the project in terms of its environmental benefits  and the level of funding from TfL.

·         Members of the Grants Determination Sub Committee to comment on the proposals and they indicated that they supported the project and were pleased that there would be an evaluation of its effectiveness by UEL.

RESOLVED

That the project be noted and approve the funding application of £30, 000 for the purpose of piloting innovative solutions to the A12 as a physical barrier and implementing innovative green infrastructure solutions to combat noise and air pollution.

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 7.4

Members noted the forward plan.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Nil items.