Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Deputy Chairman Henry Colthurst, Randall Anderson, John Fletcher, and Deputy Bill Fraser.

Deputy John Bennett and Ann Holmes declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of the Guildhall Art Gallery by virtue of their membership of the Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee.

More generally, Deputy Catherine McGuinness declared a non-pecuniary interest as Chairman of the City of London Academies Trust and a Governor of The City Academy, Hackney.

Deputy John Bennett declared a non-pecuniary interest as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Ann Holmes declared a non-pecuniary interest as the Chairman of City of London Academy Islington and a Governor of the City of London School for Girls.

RESOLVED – That a note of standing declarations be attached to future agendas.

To note the Sub-Committee’s Terms of Reference and agree the frequency of meetings.

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee’s terms of reference be noted.

Verbal update of the Senior Grants Officer.

Officers provided an update on the Central Grants Programme which had launched in August 2016 with an online portal and new application process. Members noted there were four strategic funding themes: Inspiring London through Culture; Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment; Stronger Communities; and Education and Employment; with this Sub-Committee overseeing the application of funds under the latter.  

Members noted that Senior Grants Officer Jack Joslin had been seconded from the City Bridge Trust to oversee the Central Grants Programme and ensure a robust and standardised approach to grant making was being made across the Corporation, and that Members’ feedback about the process, level of detail given and its presentation was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Grants Officer.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Chief Grants Officer summarising the grant recommendations for the Combined Education Charity and the City Educational Trust Fund under the existing eligibility criteria. Members were advised that the National Campaign for the Arts (Charity) Limited had since withdrawn its application.

Members expressed reservations about the effectiveness of the current criteria and noted that they were due to consider adopting a revised funding policy and eligibility criteria in the next item. Members noted that unsuccessful applicants would have an opportunity to receive feedback on their applications. Members discussed the need for feedback from successful grantees and agreed that this should continue in some form, proportionate to the size of the grant. Members noted that, as a result of the Grants Review, some charities which had historically received funding from the Corporation now fell outside the Central Grants Programme and would be reviewed by the Finance Grants Oversight and Performance Sub Committee.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)  the Central Grants Programme assessment process, eligibility criteria and budget be noted; and

(b)  the following applications be considered:

Combined Education Charity

·         Applicants A

APPROVED - £3000 be granted.

·         Applicant B

APPROVED - £3000 be granted.

·         Applicant C

APPROVED - £3000 be granted.

·         Applicant D

APPROVED - £3000 be granted.

·         Applicant E

APPROVED - £3000 be granted.

·         Applicant F

APPROVED - £3000 be granted.

·         Applicant G

APPROVED - £3000 be granted.

·         Applicant H

APPROVED - £2000 be granted.

·         Applicant I

APPROVED - £2000 be granted.

·         Applicants J-M

RESOLVED – That the applications be rejected.

·         Applicant N

RESOLVED – It be noted that the application had been withdrawn

The City Educational Trust Fund

·         Friends of the Guildhall Art Gallery

APPROVED - £6,000 towards the bursary cost of the Conservators Internship at the Guildhall Art Gallery for the September 2017 intake.

Report of the Chief Grants Officer.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Chief Grants Officer regarding the review of eligibility criteria for the Combined Education Charity and the City Educational Trust Fund and the possibility for alignment with the City of London Corporation’s Education Strategy 2016-2019.

At the July 2016 Education Board meeting Members agreed that the existing eligibility criteria for the Combined Education Charity and City Educational Trust Fund would remain in place until March 2017. Members noted that these criteria were no longer considered to provide the most effective framework to guide the application of each charity’s limited funds and needed to be refined so they support the efficient and effective operation of the charities to achieve the charities’ objects.

The City’s Education Strategy objectives were noted and it was considered that alignment of the criteria with the City’s Education Strategy could allow the charities’ limited funds to have a greater impact

Members discussed the report in detail and considered various options for shaping the eligibility criteria, including the following points:

-       The eligibility criteria should focus on the impact of any grants and the level of need of the beneficiary.

-       The same eligibility criteria should be used for both charities.

-       The cost of administration was proportionately higher for individual grants, but nevertheless there was still value in them and they should not be excluded. As such, priority should be given to groups but exceptional applications from individuals should also be considered.

-       Flexibility was needed; instead of limiting the types of applicants who can apply, focus should be on the outcome and need.

-       The eligibility criteria should have enduring relevance but not become outdated; criteria and priorities should therefore be reviewed on a regular basis.

-       The criteria should not prioritise the City or the City Schools and the

There were no questions.

There was no other business.