Agenda item

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

The Committee received the regular progress report of the Chief Grants Officer and Director of City Bridge Trust (CGO) and discussed the updates provided.

Rocket Science

The Committee welcomed John Griffiths, a Founder Director of Rocket Science, which provides research, consultancy and evaluation services to clients across government, business and civil society, to give the Committee an overview of the combined work undertaken on the Bridging Divides Interim Review and commissioned research.

The Committee then received a presentation on the Bridging Divides Interim Review. Rocket Science outlined the process of the review, which sought to test CBT’s PACIER values, balance change with continuity, transition to the ‘new normal’, learn from the learning, and identify strategic choices. Rocket Science then advised the Committee of feedback from stakeholders and learning partners regarding CBT’s unique position, which was pertinent at this moment in time. It was recognised that CBT, as the largest single charitable investor in London’s civil society, had access to considerable other assets and was able to be a catalyst and innovator, with influence and the capacity to act over the longer term.

The CGO then outlined the recommendations of the review for the Committee, along the themes of Restore, Retain and Reimagine. The Committee was advised that the overarching recommendation was to recommit to the vision and mission of Bridging Divides by extending the programme by a further 5 years to 2028. This would provide long-term commitment and the potential to embed new approaches and models, whilst strengthening the equity lens. A number of further recommendations were set out which addressed different aspects of CBT’s work

The Chair thanked the CGO and Rocket Science for their presentation and advised that the Committee would be returning to discuss the review again later in the agenda.

LCRF Wave 5

The CGO advised that a further £4 million of the 2020-2021 Bridging Divides budget had been allocated to Wave 5 of the LCR through the LCRF, plus £1 million towards aligned expenditure. In addition to this a further £5-6 million had been contributed by others, making a total of between £10 and £11 million.

Responding to the Resilience Risk 2

The CGO then gave the Committee an update on the Responding to the Resilience Risk strategic initiative and drew the Committee’s attention to a recommendation that the £500,000 ringfenced for the initiative be reduced to £310,000 as a result of a successful grant application to the Oak Foundation. The Chair commented that this was a positive outcome and thanked officers on behalf of the Committee.

The Bridge House Estates (BHE) Strategic Governance Review: The Proposed BHE Board & potential implications for CBT Committee

The CGO then gave Members an update on the BHE Governance Review and the prospective constitution of the new Bridge House Estates Board, which was due to be considered by the Court of Common Council at is April meeting. The CGO advised that, if agreed, the Committee’s functions would be transferred to the Bridge House Estates Board, and the Committee would not be reappointed from the next municipal year. However, it was anticipated that the Bridge House Estates Board would appoint a Sub Committee dedicated to the charity’s ancillary object, which would ideally work in a similar manner to the Committee. The CGO then gave thanks to Members for their scrutiny and guidance of CBT and their work on the Committee since its introduction in its current format.

The Chair commented that this was an opportunity to reflect, and to thank and honour the work done during the 25 years of City Bridge Trust. The Chair then paid tribute to the significant achievements of Members and officers during this time, and thanked everyone for their attendance and contributions.

RESOLVED – That the City Bridge Trust Committee:

a)    Note the report;

b)    Agree to revise the £500,000 ringfenced for RRR2 to £310,000; and

c)    Agree to the inclusion of the Impact and Learning outcome in the CBT Business plan.