Councillor A. Ullah declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7.3 “Mainstream Grants Advice Service Corporate Match Funding Programmes – Arrangements for 2011 and beyond” (CAB 047/101). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations regarding the Mainstream Grants Advice Service which could have implications for the Wapping Bangladeshi Association, and Councillor Ullah was a member of the governing body of the Wapping Bangladeshi Association.

Councillor A. Ullah, withdrew from the meeting following the conclusion of the Cabinet deliberations in respect of agenda item 10.3 considered earlier in the proceedings following a variation of the order of business, and did not return to the proceedings.

Resolved

1.         That the business case for continuing to provide Advice Services, as set out in paragraphs 6.1 to 6.4 of the report (CAB 047/101), be noted;

2.         That the recommendations relating to the timetable for re-commissioning Advice Services, as set out in paragraphs 6.17 to 6.20 of the report be agreed:

(a)    That current arrangements are ‘rolled-over’ to 2011/12;

(b)    That services be re-commissioned in 2012 for the period 2012/15;

3.         That the way forward for commissioning Corporate Match Funding projects, as detailed in paragraphs 6.31 to 6.35 of the report (CAB 047/101), be agreed;

4.         That Service Agreements for projects currently funded by Corporate Match Funding be extended for three months to 30 June 2011, as set out in paragraph 6.35 of the report (CAB 047/101).

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR RESOURCES (C. NAYLOR)

Service Head Strategy and Performance, Chief Executive’s (L. Russell)

Community Resources Officer - Advice and Anti-Poverty, Strategy and Performance, Chief Executive’s (M. Farrelly)

Funding & Development Manager, Strategy and Performance, Chief Executive’s (E. Haughton)

Councillor A. Ullah declared a personal interest in Agenda item 7.3 “Mainstream Grants Advice Service Corporate Match Funding Programmes – Arrangements for 2011 and beyond” (CAB 047/101). The declaration of interest was made on the basis that the report contained recommendations regarding the Mainstream Grants Advice Service which could have implications for the Wapping Bangladeshi Association, and Councillor Ullah was a member of the governing body of the Wapping Bangladeshi Association.

Councillor A. Ullah, withdrew from the meeting following the conclusion of the Cabinet deliberations in respect of agenda item 10.3 considered earlier in the proceedings following a variation of the order of business, and did not return to the proceedings.

Ms Russell, Service Head Strategy and Performance, at the request of the Chair, in introducing the report:

·                    Summarised the key points contained therein, highlighting in particular:

o                   The Authority’s Advice Service moved from a grant funding to a ‘needs led’ commissioning approach in 2008, and was now due to be re-commissioned in April 2011. However it was proposed that commissioning be delayed and current contractual arrangements be rolled over for 1 year. The rationale for this was based on:

Ø                  General uncertainty around the national funding situation and the budgetary implications for Tower Hamlets.

Ø                  Structural changes in the Advice Sector and cessation of some funding regimes.

Ø                  A strong business case for continued advice provision, given levels of demand and in the context of welfare reform being introduced by Government.

Ø                  A recent review had shown current service providers were performing well.

It was considered that a period of stability was needed to allow an opportunity to develop the best sustainable programme for commissioning local advice services in the context of known resources.

o                   The Corporate Match Funding (CMF) budget had been used to fund Third Sector organisations and the annual programme was due to be re-commissioned in April 2011. However this too was dependent on the Authority’s Budget setting process and the decisions arising in December/ January. Additionally the CMF programme needed to be congruent with the Employment Strategy, due for consideration in the near future. it was therefore proposed that current commissioning arrangements be extended for 3 months to align the CMF and Budget process.

·                    Addressed the matters raised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on 5^th October 2010, in relation to the report; as set out in the tabled sheet of questions and comments presented by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee earlier in the proceedings:

A discussion followed, during which the proposals in the report were broadly welcomed, and which focused on the following points:-

·                    Consideration that it was entirely sensible for the CMF process to be aligned with the Authority’s Budget process, but clarification/ assurance was sought and given that a “one off” re-alignment was required to effect this and avoid future timing problems. Also clarified that the Mainstream Grant funded Commissioning process would be aligned with the Budget process from April 2012.

·                    Consideration that it was very important to maintain advice services for at least a year, as cuts in Housing Benefit would have a huge impact on demand for the service, but endorsed the general approach to re-commissioning proposed.

·                    Whilst acknowledging the rationale for the proposed 3 month extension to current CMF commissioning arrangements, concern was expressed that there must be no scope for a repetition of recent history: when the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund had been replaced by the Working Neighbourhood Fund, a long term arrangement needed put in place but existing arrangements were extended by 3 months several times and the Authority found itself in the position of having spent approximately £4 million without having undertaken a commissioning process. In this context assurance was sought of and given by Ms Russell, Service Head Strategy and Performance, that the proposed 3 month roll forward of existing CMF commissioning arrangements was a “one off” and if a further extension was proposed this would be reported to Cabinet for further consideration.

·                    Noted typographical errors in the timescales set out in paragraph 6.33 of the report and requested that these be corrected.

The Chair Moved the recommendations as set out in the report; and it was: -

Resolved

1.         That the business case for continuing to provide Advice Services, as set out in paragraphs 6.1 to 6.4 of the report (CAB 047/101), be noted;

2.         That the recommendations relating to the timetable for re-commissioning Advice Services, as set out in paragraphs 6.17 to 6.20 of the report be agreed:

(a)    That current arrangements are ‘rolled-over’ to 2011/12;

(b)    That services be re-commissioned in 2012 for the period 2012/15;

3.         That the way forward for commissioning Corporate Match Funding projects, as detailed in paragraphs 6.31 to 6.35 of the report (CAB 047/101), be agreed;

4.         That Service Agreements for projects currently funded by Corporate Match Funding be extended for three months to 30 June 2011, as set out in paragraph 6.35 of the report (CAB 047/101).