DECISION:

1. To note the consultation and engagement undertaken to develop the policy and outcomes framework as set out in para 3.3 and Appendix 2 to the report.

2. To agree the Grants Policy and Outcome Framework as set in paras 3.4-3.5 and Appendix 3 to the report.

3. To authorise the Chief Executive to finalise the detailed prospectus of each grants programme.

4. To note the proposed timetable for new grants arrangements as outlined in  para 3.6 of the report and agree the three and a half-year programme for the Mayor’s Community Grants, from October 2023 to March 2027.

5. To agree the grant assessment arrangements as set out in para 3.7 of the report, subject to amending the second bullet point to of paragraph 3.7(d) to ‘Track record of successful service delivery, or for new organisations, clear ability to demonstrate capacity and skills to deliver services successfully’.

6. To agree the budget for the grants programme as set out in para 3.8 of the report.

7. To agree that the proposed governance process for the development and  implementation of the grants programme for the VCS as set out in  paragraph 3.9 of the report and note a further update will be provided to Cabinet April  2023.

8. To authorise the Chief Executive to agree the final grant awards for the  Mayor’s Community Grants Programme.

9. To authorise the Chief Executive to agree an extension of 4 weeks of existing  grants programme, if necessary, as set out in para 3.6 (a) of the report..

10. To note the result of the equalities impact screening as set out in para 4.1 of the report.

ACTION BY:

DIRECTOR STRATEGY, IMPROVEMENT & TRANSFORMATION (S. GODMAN)

Head of Corporate Strategy & Communities (A. Hoque)

The Mayor agreed the reasons for urgency as provided in the report and noted the written submissions provided by Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets and Tower Hamlets CVS. He indicated he would provide a written response to the submissions and any questions from the organisations.

Councillor Saied Ahmed (Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living) introduced the report that set out a new VCS grants policy and outcome framework and proposed a new grants programme providing long-term funding to enable the achievement of the vision to ‘support and invest in a thriving and diverse VCS to enable it to improve outcomes for Tower Hamlets residents’. Councillor Ahmed outlined the different funding available for the different programme themes and provided an indicative timetable for the launch, assessment and award of grants.

Councillor Ahmed proposed a minor amendment to the report and recommendations. He proposed adjusting the proposed organisational assessment for applicants to ensure smaller organisations and those new to the sector could also benefit from funding, as follows:

·         amending the second bullet point to of paragraph 3.7(d) to ‘Track record of successful service delivery, or for new organisations, clear ability to demonstrate capacity and skills to deliver services successfully’.

The Mayor explained the importance the VCS sector of Tower Hamlets. The sector is vital to the social and economic vitality of the borough. He expressed disappointment that the sector appeared to have contracted recently, with only a small number of groups benefitting from Council funding in recent years. Accordingly, he had dedicated additional funding to ensure long-term capacity of the sector. He explained the key elements of the proposed new grants programme; the key priorities that drove it and how these were informed by a thorough consultation exercise; and summarised the proposed governance arrangements. Mayoral powers were proposed to be delegated to the Chief Executive for the determination of awards under the Mayor’s Community Grant programme, whilst small grants would continue to be determined by the Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub Committee.

The Mayor welcomed and agreed Councillor Saied Ahmed’s proposed amendment, which he hoped would ensure all VCS organisations can fairly bid for Council funding. He agreed the recommendations with the amendment.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Notes the consultation and engagement undertaken to develop the policy and outcomes framework as set out in para 3.3 and Appendix 2 to the report.

2. Agrees the Grants Policy and Outcome Framework as set in paras 3.4-3.5 and Appendix 3 to the report.

3. Authorises the Chief Executive to finalise the detailed prospectus of each grants programme.

4. Notes the proposed timetable for new grants arrangements as outlined in  para 3.6 of the report and agree the three and a half-year programme for the Mayor’s Community Grants, from October 2023 to March 2027.

5. Agrees the grant assessment arrangements as set out in para 3.7 of the report, subject to amending the second bullet point to of paragraph 3.7(d) to ‘Track record of successful service delivery, or for new organisations, clear ability to demonstrate capacity and skills to deliver services successfully’.

6. Agrees the budget for the grants programme as set out in para 3.8 of the report.

7. Agrees that the proposed governance process for the development and  implementation of the grants programme for the VCS as set out in  paragraph 3.9 of the report and note a further update will be provided to Cabinet April  2023.

8. Authorises the Chief Executive to agree the final grant awards for the  Mayor’s Community Grants Programme.

9. Authorises the Chief Executive to agree an extension of 4 weeks of existing  grants programme, if necessary, as set out in para 3.6 (a) of the report.

10. Notes the result of the equalities impact screening as set out in para 4.1 of the report.