Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Asma Begum.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the meeting held on  6^th February 2018. (To follow)

The minutes of the meeting held oon 6^th February 2018 were agreed and approved as a correct record. 

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]

There were no public submissions relating to the agenda items to be considered at the meeting.

The Sub Committee noted that, since the last meeting, the Mayor had taken no urgent decisions in the form of an Individual Mayoral Decision that related to grants.

General Feedback from Grants Scrutiny Sub Committee (GSSC).

A written summary of the comments of GSSC was tabled at the meeting.  At the Mayor’s invitation, the Chair of GSSC summarised this feedback informing Members that GSSC supported all of the recommendations put forward for decision.  GSSC also provided individual observations relating to some of the applications.

The Chair noted the report which proposed to release combined S106 and CIL funding for the provision of GP facilities at the Goodman’s Fields development.  An addendum report was tabled at the meeting which provided clarification of matters arising from GSSC’s review of the proposal; these concerned the sources of the funding, VAT liabilities and corrected EQIA data.

The Chair enquired and Grants Determination Sub-Committee (GDSC) Members indicated that they had no additional comments that they wished to make.

DECISION

That grant funding of £4,824,474 (£3,494,990.79 of CIL and £1,329,483.21 of s106)  be approved to NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision in primary careand maintain continuity of local GP services. 

The Chair noted the report which proposed to release combined S106 and CIL funding for the provision of GP facilities at the Goodman’s Fields development.  An addendum report was tabled at the meeting which provided clarification of matters arising from GSSC’s review of the proposal; these concerned the sources of the funding, VAT liabilities and corrected EQIA data.

The Chair enquired and Grants Determination Sub-Committee (GDSC) Members indicated that they had no additional comments that they wished to make.

RESOLVED

That grant funding of £4,824,474 (£3,494,990.79 of CIL and £1,329,483.21 of s106)  be approved to NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision in primary careand maintain continuity of local GP services. 

The Programme Director Special Projects, Commissioning & Health presented the report which:

• reported the grants awarded under the Small Grants Fund in 2017/18.
• asked the Sub-Committee to determine four awards which, because of property issues, could not be determined via delegated decisions.
• asked the Sub-Committee to approve the process for applications under the successor Ageing Well Grants Programme 2018/19 and delegate responsibility for approving grants to the Divisional Director Integrated Commissioning.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated there were no further comments that he wished to make.  The Chair then invited GDSC Members to comment on the report and they indicated that they supported the proposals.

The Chair noted the arrangements for equality monitoring of projects that have received funding under the Ageing Well Programme which involves submission of data by projects to the Commissioning Team.

DECISION

1.         That the process for inviting applications for the Ageing Well Small Grants Fund 2018/19 be approved.

2.         That the availability of £ 25,000 funding for the proposal be noted.

3.         That the process for awarding the grant funding, and subsequent monitoring arrangements be approved

4.         That the Divisional Director Integrated Commissioning be delegated responsibility for approving the awards under the Ageing Well Small Grants Fund 2018/19.

5.         That the award of four grants, totalling £1,850, from the 2017/18 Ageing Well Small Grants fund be approved.

The Programme Director Special Projects, Commissioning & Health presented the report which:

• reported the grants awarded under the Small Grants Fund in 2017/18.
• asked the Sub-Committee to determine four awards which, because of property issues, could not be determined via delegated decisions.
• asked the Sub-Committee to approve the process for applications under the successor Ageing Well Grants Programme 2018/19 and delegate responsibility for approving grants to the Divisional Director Integrated Commissioning.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated there were no further comments that he wished to make.  The Chair then invited GDSC Members to comment on the report and they indicated that they supported the proposals.

The Chair noted the arrangements for equality monitoring of projects that have received funding under the Ageing Well Programme which involves submission of data by projects to the Commissioning Team.

RESOLVED

1.         That the process for inviting applications for the Ageing Well Small Grants Fund 2018/19 be approved.

2.         That the availability of £ 25,000 funding for the proposal be noted.

3.         That the process for awarding the grant funding, and subsequent monitoring arrangements be approved

4.         That the Divisional Director Integrated Commissioning be delegated responsibility for approving the awards under the Ageing Well Small Grants Fund 2018/19.

5.         That the award of four grants, totalling £1,850, from the 2017/18 Ageing Well Small Grants fund be approved.

The Team Manager, Fostering Team presented the report which concerned a new grant to Tower Hamlets Foster Carers Association; this award was previously administered as an ex-gratia payment.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated that proposal was supported.  The Chair then invited GDSC Members to comment on the report and they indicated that they had no additional comments that they wished to make.

DECISION

1.            That Tower Hamlets Foster Carers Association Committee be awarded an annual grant of £6000 in order to conduct their role and responsibilities in supporting and advocating for the foster carers and foster children.

2.            That the Corporate Director: Children, be delegated authority to make future annual grant awards to Tower Hamlets Foster Carers Association (THFCA).

3.            That it be noted that awards to THFCA will be reported to the Grants Determination Sub Committee as part of the annual Grants Register report.

The Team Manager, Fostering Team presented the report which concerned a new grant to Tower Hamlets Foster Carers Association; this award was previously administered as an ex-gratia payment.  The award was to support the work of TH approved independent foster carers by providing a range of support e.g. advocacy.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated that proposal was supported.  The Chair then invited GDSC Members to comment on the report and they indicated that they had no additional comments that they wished to make.

RESOLVED

1.            That Tower Hamlets Foster Carers Association Committee be awarded an annual grant of £6000 in order to conduct their role and responsibilities in supporting and advocating for the foster carers and foster children.

2.            That the Corporate Director: Children, be delegated authority to make future annual grant awards to Tower Hamlets Foster Carers Association (THFCA).

3.            That it be noted that awards to THFCA will be reported to the Grants Determination Sub Committee as part of the annual Grants Register report.

The Head of Benefits Services presented the report which reported the performance of the VCS Strategy and its outcomes.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated that GSSC Members had noted the performance reported.  The Chair enquired about the outcomes for unsuccessful bidders and he was informed that the causes of unsuccessful bids were investigated and support offered.

DECISION

That the progress in implementing actions within the VCS Strategy be noted, with particular reference to diversifying the resource base of the VCS through crowdfunding, social value in procurement and promoting volunteering.

The Head of Benefits Services presented the report which reported the performance of the VCS Strategy and its outcomes.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated that GSSC Members had noted the performance reported.  The Chair enquired about the outcomes for unsuccessful bidders and he was informed that the causes of unsuccessful bids were investigated and support offered.

RESOLVED

That the progress in implementing actions within the VCS Strategy be noted, with particular reference to diversifying the resource base of the VCS through crowdfunding, social value in procurement and promoting volunteering.

(To follow)

The Head of Benefits Services presented the report which provided an update on outstanding matter relating to Our Base – related to premises arrangements and to Pollyanna Training Theatre - related to additional information required relating to outreach undertaken to engage with BAME beneficiaries.  This information was requested by the GDSC at the meeting on 6^th February 2018.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated that Members supported the recommendations. GSSC Members also noted that changes at Raines House will impact the Pollyanna project.

GDSC Members were satisfied with the on the part of by Our Base to resolve premises issues and also with the BAME information supplied in respect of Pollyanna Training Theatre.

DECISION

Recommendation 1 – Our Base

That in acknowledgement of Our Base demonstrating a willingness to enter into an appropriate agreement, pending the Council progressing the lease to conclusion, the MSG withheld payments for the period March 2017 – June 2017 be released subject to satisfactory performance.

Recommendation 2 – Pollyanna Training Theatre

That the significant variation request for the Pollyanna Training Theatre be approved in relation to the reduction in the number of BAME beneficiaries from 53% to 33% in period 10 and to 40% in Period 11 .

The Head of Benefits Services presented the report which provided an update on outstanding matter relating to Our Base – related to premises arrangements and to Pollyanna Training Theatre - related to additional information required relating to outreach undertaken to engage with BAME beneficiaries.  This information was requested by the GDSC at the meeting on 6^th February 2018.

The Chair invited the Chair of GSSC to comment on the report and he indicated that Members supported the recommendations. GSSC Members also noted that changes at Raines House will impact the Pollyanna project.

GDSC Members were satisfied with the on the part of by Our Base to resolve premises issues and also with the BAME information supplied in respect of Pollyanna Training Theatre.

RESOLVED

Recommendation 1 – Our Base

That in acknowledgement of Our Base demonstrating a willingness to enter into an appropriate agreement, pending the Council progressing the lease to conclusion, the MSG withheld payments for the period March 2017 – June 2017 be released subject to satisfactory performance.

Recommendation 2 – Pollyanna Training Theatre

That the significant variation request for the Pollyanna Training Theatre be approved in relation to the reduction in the number of BAME beneficiaries from 53% to 33% in period 10 and to 40% in Period 11 .

Nil items.