Agenda item

Report of the Chief Grants Officer

The Committee received a summary of applications received and action taken under the grants programmes this financial year, including those recommended for decision to this meeting. The Committee was on track to spend its grants budget for 2017/18 with 2 meetings remaining in the year including this one.

A Member noted that the Resettlement and Rehabilitation of Offenders was the programme with the lowest amount allocated in grants, and queried whether this was expected. The Chief Grants Officer replied that it was an area for specialist organisations and fewer organisations in this area qualified for City Bridge Trust grants under the current criteria. Officers would consult with HM Prison Service in the future to determine where there might be gaps in provision.

A Member asked if it would be encouraging for applicants if it was advertised that 55% of applications were recommended for approval. The Chief Grants Officer responded that each application was considered on merit, and as some applications were for very specialist services an overall success rate could be misleading. The City Bridge Trust had quite a high success rate in comparison to other funders, although this might change under the new strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.