Agenda item

Grants of over £250,000 for Approval

Report of the CGO

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the CGO advising Members of funds recommended for approval for amounts of £250,000 or above. The CGO introduced the applications to Members and outlined the proposals.

 

The CGO advised that the applications for Inclusion London and Consortium LGBT+ had similarities in that they targeted a similar level of work, within the disability and LGBT+ sectors respectively. Organisations within these sectors were generally small, with low income thresholds and both projects proposed to develop those sectors by providing hands-on support to organisations within their memberships and undertaking important analysis of the sectors particularly with regards to the impact of Covid-19. Learning from their connection with organisations would also be used to try and influence policy.

 

In response to a question from a Member, the CGO advised the Committee that safeguarding against overreliance on one funder formed part of the application assessment process, with it being CBT policy that any grant funding could not represent more than 50% of an organisation’s income. Officers also worked closely with organisations and maintained a hands-on ongoing relationship with mutual support and benefit. This connection helped to address and alleviate any possible concerns.

 

The CGO then introduced the Change, Grow, Live application, which had been received prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. The current restrictions had affected the project and the organisation had adapted to provide remote provision. The organisation supported women in prison and their families. The proposal had been fine-tuned to focus on short-term custodial sentences both in prison and in the community setting after release, and to work with volunteers to ensure ongoing community links become embedded.

 

In response to a question from a Member, the CGO explained the rationale behind focussing on short-term sentences as opposed to longer-term in this particular application as CBT criteria better suited a focus on those leaving prison and in the community. The CGO added that this work also focussed on reducing recidivism and the disruptive cycle for all members of affected families.

 

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

 

  1. Inclusion London

 

APPROVED £336,110 over 5 years (£76,570; £75,590; £77,140; £70,130; £36,680) for the salary of a Business Director and associated development and training activities, plus a contribution to staff capacity for shaping programme activities.

 

  1. Change, Grow, Live

 

APPROVED £321,800 over 5 years (£62,500, £62,800, £64,600, £65,700, £66,200) to cover the salary of a f/t volunteer coordinator and all associated costs to provide support to mothers receiving short term custodial sentences maintain contact with their families.

 

  1. Consortium LGBT+

 

APPROVED £290,000 over three years (£90,000; £100,000; £100,000) to research and meet the needs of the LGBT+ sector in London during and post the Covid-19 pandemic. The work will be delivered in partnership with HERO and will ensure specific support is provided to the Transgender sector.

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