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 24^th October 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2017 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 Mayor advised that, since the last meeting, he had taken no urgent decisions in the form of an Individual Mayoral Decision that related to grants.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Festivals and Events Officer noting:

• that the monitoring information presented related to applications for funding for small community events in the quarters 1-3.
• that there had been some anomalies in reporting the Wards in which the events had taken place; these would be reviewed and corrected for the next report.
• that since the events were open to all it was difficult to provide accurate figures on how well the events were attended by those living in the locality of the event.

The Sub Committee heard from the Chair of Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee (GSSC):

• that GSSC (except for some anomalies relating to Ward data) accepted the monitoring information provided.

• that GSSC Members be notified of future larger events so that they may undertake up-take monitoring.

The Chair invited members of the Sub-Committee to comment on the report and they indicated that they had no comments that wished to make.

RESOLVED

1.    That the contents of the report be noted.

2.    That the request from Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee that its Members be notified of future larger events so that they may undertake uptake monitoring be noted.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Deputy Director for Mental Health and Joint Commissioning and:

• Noted that the proposal concerned an ongoing two year programme which was due for renewal for the forthcoming two year period.
• Noted that report included a request to delegate authority to the Corporate Director to make and administer these grants according to criteria set out in the report.
• Noted that Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee supported the proposal.

DECISION

1. Agree the commencement of the Mental Health User Led grants programme for 2018- 2020 at the current level of £90,838.
2. That the criteria under which the grants will be awarded as set out in the report be approved.
3. That the Corporate Director for Health, Adults and Communities be delegated authority for grant awards according to the agreed criteria.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Deputy Director for Mental Health and Joint Commissioning who informed Members that:

• the proposal concerned an ongoing two year programme which was due for renewal for the forthcoming two year period.
• the report included a request to delegate authority to the Corporate Director to make and administer these grants according to criteria set out in the report.

The Sub Committee heard from the Chair of GSSC:

• that GSSC supported the proposal.
• The GSSC complimented the approach taken that the proposal should be informed by the evidence base.
• that the style and format of the report was of a high standard and should be adopted widely throughout the council.

The Chair invited Members of the Sub-Committee to comment on the report and they indicated that they had no comments they wished to make.

RESOLVED:

1. That the commencement of the Mental Health User Led grants programme for 2018- 2020 at the current level of £90,838 be approved.
2. That the criteria under which the grants will be awarded as set out in the report be approved.
3. That the Corporate Director for Health, Adults and Communities be delegated authority for grant awards according to the agreed criteria.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Tower Hamlets Public Health Registrar and:

• Noted that release of the grant was in the gift of the Grants Determination Sub-Committee as it had been delegated authority to grant all awards deemed to be grants; although how S106 money should be allocated was a matter for the Planning (Development) Committees.
• Noted that Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee -
  • Supported the provision in principle but had some concerns around the siting and access to the GP provision that would be provided through this funding.
  • Had concerns that S106 monies were not being deployed in the Wards to which they pertained.
• Noted that identified needs are provided to the Council by NHS using population modelling methods.

DECISION

1. That the grant funding of £7,454,475.06 to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG be approved to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision in primary care and maintain continuity of local GP services for the following projects: Wellington Way Health Centre (New Build Extension); Aberfeldy Village Health Centre and Suttons Wharf Health Centre.
2. That the comments of the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee be noted.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Tower Hamlets Public Health Registrar and noted that release of the grant was in the gift of the Grants Determination Sub-Committee as it had been delegated authority to grant all awards deemed to be grants; although how S106 money should be allocated was a matter for the Planning (Development) Committees.

The Sub Committee heard from the Chair of GSSC and noted the following feedback:

• the project/provision was supported in principle but Members had some concerns around the location of the premises and how residents would be able to access the GP provision intended at this location.

• Members had concerns that S106 monies were not being deployed in the Wards to which they pertained.  All present were advised that identified needs are provided to the Council by the NHS using population modelling methods.

The Chair invited members of the Sub-Committee to comment on the report and they also voiced concern around the location of the proposed Globe Town surgery and whether residents could access this easily.

RESOLVED:

1. That the grant funding of £7,454,475.06 to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG be approved to deliver increased capacity, access and service provision in primary care and maintain continuity of local GP services for the following projects: Wellington Way Health Centre (New Build Extension); Aberfeldy Village Health Centre and Suttons Wharf Health Centre.
2. That the comments of the Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee be noted.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Affordable Housing Programme Manager and:

• Noted that the report concerned progress on the Local Housing Affordable Grant Programme established under Commissioners in 2015.
• Noted the content of appendix to the report which was tabled at the meeting.
• Noted the comments of Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee that it did not object to the proposal in principle but had some concerns around value for money and the management of the properties.
• Noted that the report lacked detail on the location of the proposed properties and arrangements for their management and requested that this information be provided.
• Supported the proposal in principle but were concerned with a number of operational matters/issues around delivering the second round of the programme.

DECISION

That having considered the report and Officers’ recommendations, the following be approved:

1. That subject to the necessary budget approval by the Mayor in Cabinet in January 2018, ‘Right To Buy grant funding’ be awarded to the following registered housing providers and for the following amounts: East End Homes: £375,000 and Swan Housing Association: £2,439,760 (as outlined in point 4.3 of the report).
2. That in addition, 10% uplift to the agreed amounts be approved to take account of potential increases in build or acquisition costs.
3. That the variations to the bid submitted by the Registered Provider Arhag that were subsequently approved by the Mayor on the 11th August 2017 be noted.
4. That the change in the scheme completion date for 34-40 Bow Road E3 being delivered by Arhag be noted.
5. That in respect to an existing grant approval to East End Homes, approve the change in purchase completion date and the grant purpose be extended to include the purchase of residential properties on the open market.
6. That the Corporate Director of Place be authorised to agree extensions of time on schemes approved for grant funding, which shall not in any event exceed December 2020.
7. That the Corporate Director, Place, be authorised to agree the terms of, and enter into, any contractual or ancillary documentation to give effect to the above recommendations, with recommendation 1 (above) to be effected only upon budgetary approval by the Mayor in Cabinet in January 2018.
8. That detail on the location of the proposed properties and arrangements for their management as requested be provided to the Sub-committee.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee heard from the Affordable Housing Programme Manager and:

• Noted that the report concerned progress on the Local Housing Affordable Grant Programme established under Commissioners in 2015.
• Noted the content of appendix to the report which was tabled at the meeting.

The Sub Committee heard from the Chair of GSSC and noted the following feedback:

• that GSSC did not object to the proposal in principle but had some concerns around value for money and the management of the properties.
• that the report lacked detail on the location of the proposed properties and arrangements for their management and requested that this information be provided.
• GSSC supported the proposal in principle but were concerned with a number of operational matters/issues around delivering the second round of the programme.

The Chair invited Members of the Sub-Committee to comment on the report.  They expressed concern about:

• how the RSLs would manage properties acquired where these properties were isolated from others managed by the RSL.
• the implications of fragmented housing stock.
• the potential impact on vulnerable residents.
• that the proposal might give RSLs carte blanche to spend.

RESOLVED:

That having considered the report and Officers’ recommendations, the following be approved:

1. That subject to the necessary budget approval by the Mayor in Cabinet in January 2018, ‘Right To Buy grant funding’ be awarded to the following registered housing providers and for the following amounts: East End Homes: £375,000 and Swan Housing Association: £2,439,760 (as outlined in point 4.3 of the report).
2. That in addition, 10% uplift to the agreed amounts be approved to take account of potential increases in build or acquisition costs.
3. That the variations to the bid submitted by the Registered Provider Arhag that were subsequently approved by the Mayor on the 11th August 2017 be noted.
4. That the change in the scheme completion date for 34-40 Bow Road E3 being delivered by Arhag be noted.
5. That in respect of an existing grant approval to East End Homes, approve the change in purchase completion date and the grant purpose be extended to include the purchase of residential properties on the open market.
6. That the Corporate Director of Place be authorised to agree extensions of time on schemes approved for grant funding, which shall not in any event exceed December 2020.
7. That the Corporate Director, Place, be authorised to agree the terms of, and enter into, any contractual or ancillary documentation to give effect to the above recommendations, with recommendation 1 (above) to be effected only upon budgetary approval by the Mayor in Cabinet in January 2018.
8. That detail on the location of the proposed properties and arrangements for their management as requested be provided to the Sub-committee.

The Grants Determination Sub-Committee was informed that the Grant Register had been established at the request of Commissioners to provide a database of all organisations in receipt of grant funding from the Council.

The Sub Committee heard from the Chair of GSSC and noted that he will be involved in and consulted on the content of the new Grants GIFT system that is due to be introduced in 2018.

The Chair invited Members of the Sub-Committee to comment on the report and they indicated that they had no comments that wished to make.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the content of the Grants Register be noted.

2.    That it be noted that the Register has been expanded to include additional information relating to the receiving organisations and the grants awarded.

3.    That it be noted that no further information was requested to be added to the Grants Register at this time.

Nil items.