Agenda item

Report of the Managing Director of Bridge House Estates (BHE)

The Committee considered a report of the Managing Director of BHE providing an update on key areas of activity and outlining upcoming activities. The Managing Director of BHE introduced the report, and the Committee discussed the updates provided.

Ukraine

The Managing Director of BHE advised that CBT was responding to the impact of the war in Ukraine, both independently and in conjunction with other funders, including through London Councils. The Committee noted CBT’s longstanding commitment to supporting refugees, with several live grants in this space.

Staffing

The Committee gave thanks to long-serving CBT officers Sandra Davidson and Kate Moralee on their last meeting of the Committee for their valuable contributions to CBT and to the work of the Committee, as well as the former CBT Committee.

Bridging Divides Strategy

The Managing Director of BHE drew the Committee’s attention to the recommendation to recommit to the Bridging Divides Strategy for a further five years from 2023. If agreed, the proposal would be taken forward to the BHE Board and then the Court of Common Council for formal approval.

Development Grants

The Committee noted the recommendation in respect of development grants of up to £50,000 to organisations participating in the design of the Anchor programme. The Managing Director of BHE outlined the proposal, advising that whilst this could be implemented under the existing delegated authority thresholds, it was put to the Committee for consultation.

Learning Reports

The Committee noted the learning case study on Alliance for Inclusive Education (ALLFIE) appended to the report. In response to a question from a Member, the Managing Director of BHE advised that the Impact & Learning team would commit the learning from organisations to consider CBT’s ways of working and what could be offered.

RESOLVED – That the Grants Committee of the BHE Board:

       a) Note the report;

       b) Agree to take the agreed recommendation for BHE to re-commit to the overarching vision and mission of the Bridging Divides funding strategy and to extend the funding strategy for a further five years from 2023 to 2028, and to take this recommendation to the April 2022 BHE Board and (subject to approval) to Court of Common Council in May 2022 (with the Charity Commission being then formally notified, subject to agreement); and,

       c) Agree in principle that Officers award a series of development grants of up to £50k to organisations participating in the design of the Anchor programme.