Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting by welcoming Members and officers, as well as any members of the public or stakeholders observing the meeting via YouTube.

There were no declarations.

John Griffiths declared a standing interest by virtue of his employment with Rocket Science, which had previously worked with City Bridge Trust (CBT).

To receive the Committee’s terms of reference, as agreed by the Bridge House Estates Board on 15 May 2023.

The Committee received its terms of reference, as agreed by the Bridge House Estates (BHE) Board on 15 May 2023. The Chair drew Members’ attention to the amendments to the Committee’s terms of reference, including the addition of functions in respect of social investments.

The Chair then welcomed new Members of the Committee John Griffiths and Deborah Oliver, following their appointment to the Committee by the BHE Board. The Chair then gave thanks on behalf of the Committee to outgoing Members Judith Pleasance and Alderman Alison Gowman, particularly noting Alderman Gowman’s years of excellent service to CBT, including on the former CBT Committee as a past Chair.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 6 March 2023.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 6 March 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of the BHE Governance Officer

The Committee received a list of outstanding actions and noted the updates provided in respect of the items listed.

RESOLVED – That the outstanding actions list be noted.

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Funding Director providing an update on key areas of activity and outlining upcoming activities. The Chief Funding Director introduced the report and drew Members’ attention to the key points, also updating the Committee on a recent visit to Lincoln as part of the LocalMotion Programme.

End to End Review

The Chief Funding Director advised that a Project Manager had been appointed and that focus so far had been on defining the scope and parameters of the review. Terms of reference for the core and advisory group were being developed alongside a detailed project plan, with a further update to be brought to the September meeting of the Committee.

In response to a question from a Member, the Chief Funding Director advised that working with other funders on best practice was within the scope of the review, and that the use of the phrase ‘customer experience’ could be amended to refer specifically to grantees.

Anchor Programme

The Chief Funding Director advised the Committee that 173 applications had been received as part of the programme, with 15 to be taken forward, adding that the high volume of applications demonstrated the demand for this type of funding. The Chief Funding Director added that officers were assessing the work so far for learning points in respect of the programme. In response to a question from the Chair, officers advised that CBT currently had 787 active grantees, although this was unusually high owing to the additional programme funding uplifts to support over 350 grant-holders with increased demand and increased costs.

Learning Visits

The Deputy Chair spoke positively about a learning visit that she had attended the previous week and encouraged Members to attend when they could, adding that there had been great feedback for CBT and very

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Funding Director presenting the latest CBT Operational Risk Register and seeking the Committee’s review of the Risk Register and confirmation that the risks are comprehensive, scored correctly and that appropriate control measures are in place. The Chair commented that the assessment or measurement of what was considered success on the part of CBT would be a key issue for consideration going forward.

RESOLVED – That the Funding Committee of the Bridge House Estates Board, in the discharge of functions for the City Corporation as trustee of Bridge House Estates and solely in the charity’s best interests:

i)                Approve the revised and complete CBT operational Risk Register.

To note a summary of the Bridging Divides programme.

The Committee noted a summary of the Bridging Divides programme.

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Funding Director seeking approval of a grant of £500,000 to Fight for Sight/Vision Foundation towards the Vision Fund, a grantmaking programme aimed at reducing isolation and tackling mental health issues within the sight loss community. The Funding Director introduced the report and presented the proposal to the Committee. The Committee noted a correction to the report, that the overhead costs outlined within the budget section should read 8% of the overall cost, rather than 3%.

In response to a question from a Member, the Chief Funding Director advised the Committee that Vision Foundation had done substantive work on minority representation, having made it a priority for the organisation and agreeing a strong Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy.

Noting that the end of the Alliance Partnership programme was approaching, the Chief Funding Director advised that officers would undertake an evaluation of the programme before bringing recommendations back to the Committee for a decision regarding next steps.

The Chair then drew Members’ attention to the recommendations, which were agreed.

RESOLVED – That the Funding Committee, in discharge of functions for the City Corporation as Trustee of Bridge House Estates and solely in the charity’s best interests, approve a grant of £500,000 over two years, as an Alliance Partnership, to Fight for Sight/Vision Foundation [charity no: 1111438 (formerly 1074958)] for running costs and onward grant making as part of the Vision Fund. A payment timetable will be drawn up in line with the launch dates of the four funding rounds, and the related payments to onward grant recipients.

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Funding Director providing details of funds approved and rejected under delegated authority since the last meeting of the Funding Committee in March 2023 through to 24 May 2023; the remaining 2023/2024 grants budget; grants spend to date and for this meeting by London Borough compared with the Multiple Index of Deprivation; any grant variations that have been approved under delegated authority; and seeking approval for 2 grant rejections and 7 grants between £250,000 and £1,000,001. The Chair introduced the item and commended officers for the substantive work and positive output of 110 grants for the year so far. The Committee also provided positive feedback on the revised format and model for the heat maps provided, noting that a report reviewing ‘cold spots’ would be brought to the September meeting of the Committee.

The Chair then drew the Committee’s attention to the Bridging Divides grants recommended for approval and took each proposal in turn. With regards to the application from YMCA West London, the Committee noted that officers were following up on receiving a reference for the organisation from a previous funder and agreed the recommendation, subject to the receipt of a suitable reference.

A Member commented on the innovativeness of the project within the application from Carefreespace, adding that this model could be considered for application elsewhere. The Chief Funding Director responded that it had potential for use with social investment. The Member continued that the proposal represented an innovative and potentially exciting solution to what could be considered an issue with social care funding. The Committee noted its concern regarding the direction of the social care market in London, given possible issues in the future. The Chief Funding Director advised that CBT would be careful to provide support for the

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee received a report of the Chief Funding Director updating the Committee on Round 2 of the Cornerstone Fund and highlighting additional learning gleaned from Round 1. The Chief Funding Director confirmed that Round 2 was underway and was currently live.

RESOLVED – That the Funding Committee of the Bridge House Estates Board, in the discharge of functions for the City Corporation as Trustee of Bridge House Estates and solely in the charity’s best interests, receive the report and note its contents.

There was no other business.

MOTION – With the Court of Common Council for the City Corporation as Trustee of Bridge House Estates (Charity No. 1035628) having decided to treat these meetings as though Part VA and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 applied to them, it now be moved that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that their consideration will in each case disclose exempt information of the description in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A, being information relating to the financial and business affairs of any person (including the City Corporation as Trustee of the charity) which it would not be in the charity’s best interests to disclose.

MOTION – With the Court of Common Council for the City Corporation as Trustee of Bridge House Estates (Charity No. 1035628) having decided to treat these meetings as though Part VA and Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 applied to them, it now be moved that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that their consideration will in each case disclose exempt information of the description in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A, being information relating to the financial and business affairs of any person (including the City Corporation as Trustee of the charity) which it would not be in the charity’s best interests to disclose.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2023.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting on 6 March 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Funding Director.

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Funding Director.

Report of the Chief Funding Director

The Committee received a report of the Chief Funding Director.

There was no other business.