Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Karina Dostalova, William Hoyle, Alderwoman Susan Langley and Paul Martinelli.

Deputy Edward Lord declared a personal interest in Item 5a (8) by virtue of connection to partnering organisations within the application.

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee received a list of outstanding actions, noting those which were on the agenda or were scheduled for a future date or meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Outstanding Actions update be noted.

Report of the CGO

The Committee received a report of the CGO summarising grant applications recommended for decision at the meeting, and those that had been considered since the last meeting under schemes of delegation.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the CGO’s reports on grant recommendations as follows: -

Report of the Chief Grants Officer

The Committee received a report of the CGO advising Members of funds recommended for approval for amounts between £50,000 and £250,000, including strategic initiatives.

The Committee noted that as the recommended grant to The Interlink Foundation was for £250,000, the application should appear at Item 5b, and therefore the CGO introduced this application to Members and outlined the proposal.

RESOLVED – That the City Bridge Trust Committee and approve the recommended amounts for the following applications:

1. Kensington and Chelsea Social Council

APPROVED A grant of £210,000 over four years (4 X £52,500) towards 0.8 FTE salary costs, programme costs and overheads of delivering a programme to increase resident's voice and participation in running and Influencing local services. The second year's grant is conditional upon an increased level of free reserves.

2. Merton Voluntary Service Council

APPROVED £122,000 over two further and final years (£64,000; £58,000) towards the salaries of the Head of Development (0.8FTE) and CEO (0.2FTE); project costs and overheads; and fees for an income-generation consultant of £8,000 in year one. Release of the second year’s grant is conditional upon year-end accounts evidencing financial recovery, including increased level of free reserves.

3. The Interlink Foundation

APPROVED £250,000 over five years (5 x £50,000) towards the salary of a FTE Development Officer and related running costs of a project supporting capacity building, and resilience amongst Charedi organisations; partnership and collaboration with other sectors and communities in North London; and to train Charedi CSOs and develop community leadership.

4. Toynbee Hall

APPROVED £161,400 over three further and final years (£60,600; £61,200, £39,600) towards the salary costs of the P/T Wellbeing Centre & Volunteer Coordinator (3dpw) and associated running costs for the Centre for Wellbeing project.

5. Children and Families Across Borders

APPROVED £99,800 over two further and final years (£49,200; £50,600) to cover the costs of

Report of the CGO

 The Committee received a report of the CGO advising Members of funds recommended for approval for amounts over £250,000. The CGO introduced each application to Members and outlined the proposals. The Committee noted that The Food Chain had been deferred at the previous meeting, and that additional information had been added to the assessment report for Members’ consideration.

In response to a query from a Member, the CGO outlined City Bridge Trust policy on organisations submitting multiple grant applications. The Committee noted that Merton Voluntary Service Council were eligible to apply for a second grant as the second was for work as host for a Local Giving Scheme.

RESOLVED – That the City Bridge Trust Committee and approve the recommended amounts for the following applications:

9.    Merton Voluntary Service Council

APPROVED £285,000 over 5 years (£57,000; £52,000; £54,000, £60,000; £62,000) towards 0.6FTE salary costs of a Business Development Manager, running costs, marketing, communications and overheads, subject to:

(a)  Release of the second year’s grant conditional on year-end accounts showing increased level of free reserves;

(b)  A formal agreement between MCVS and MCC outlining each party’s responsibilities, and their relationship under this arrangement; and

(c)   Continued participation in the London’s Giving Network and adoption of the London’s Giving Metrics.

10.  The Food Chain

APPROVED £266,250 over five years (£56,700; £50,900, £54,100, £52,900, £51,650) towards the project to support disadvantaged PLWHIV with specialist dietetic, nutrition support as well as volunteering and work experience opportunities to support transition to independence, and one-off relocation costs in year one, conditional on receiving satisfactory management accounts on a quarterly basis.

The Committee considered a report of the CGO outlining a total of 8 grant applications that were recommended for rejection.

RESOLVED – That the Committee reject the grant applications listed in the accompanying schedule.

The Committee received a report of the CGO which advised Members of twelve expenditure items, totalling £155,124, which had been presented for approval under delegated authority to the CGO in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chair.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee received a report of the CGO which provided details of three applications which had been withdrawn or had lapsed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Committee received a report of the CGO which advised Members of a variation to one grant agreed by the CGO since the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

The CGO advised that copies of the Bridge House Estates Annual Report and Financial Statements had been printed and were available to Members.

MOTION – That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item No.                                              Exempt Paragraphs

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There was one question.

There was no other business.