Agenda item

Progress Report

Report of the Chief Grants Officer and Director of City Bridge Trust (CGO)

Minutes:

The Committee considered the regular progress report of the CGO and discussed the updates and recommendations provided.

 

CBT’s Response to Covid-19

The CGO advised that this had been a difficult period for organisations and the Committee would benefit from a shared level of understanding of officer engagement. The CGO thanked the Chairman and immediate past Chair for their engagement with officers and contributions to the focussed Covid response. The CGO then reminded the Committee of measures taken since March 2020 such as the pause on new applications and commitment to the London Community Response Fund (LCRF), plus CBT involvement in external groups.

 

The CGO then gave the Committee an overview of the work of the LCRF since its establishment, having now awarded over £21 million to London-based charities. LCRF had responded to changes in need and emerging needs in the spirit of partnership and collaboration, which had provided real diversity of experience and knowledge. It was hoped the opportunities presented would be capitalised upon going forward. In response to a question from a Member, the CGO advised that the best format for communicating the work of the LCRF to the wider Court was under consideration.

 

Referencing support for mental health issues, a Member asked how CBT could support organisations that challenged government policy where they felt it created difficulty. Another Member added that frontline organisations had shown real innovation in accelerating to online service delivery and suggested that CBT look at amplifying these innovations to inform other organisations. The CGO thanked Members for raising these points and advised that CBT supported organisations with emphasis and focus by identifying areas of concern and targeting frontline work. The CGO added that CBT were conscious of the widening gap to those without digital skills and resources and the opportunity to build on work servicing this need.

 

Delegated Authority Thresholds

The CGO advised that the existing arrangements were working effectively and officers sought authority to continue these arrangements until the end of the year, adding that the thresholds would be reviewed in the round ahead of next year.

 

RESOLVED – That the City Bridge Trust Committee:

 

a)    Note the report; and

 

b)    Agree that the current level of delegations in relation to grant-making is extended for a further 4 months.

Supporting documents: