Agenda item

Report of Managing Director of Bridge House Estates (BHE)

The Board considered a report of the Managing Director of BHE regarding the appointment of the Grants Committee of the BHE Board. The Chair introduced the item and first sought to appoint a Member of the Board to the vacant position on the Grants Committee. Expressions of interest were sought, and Deputy Nighat Qureishi, being the only Member indicating their willingness to serve, was duly appointed to the Grants Committee of the BHE Board.

The Chair then noted that four-year terms had previously agreed for Members of the Grants Committee, and given that it was not usual practice, proposed that the Board revert to the practice of appointing the membership of the Committee on an annual basis. Members discussed this and resolved instead to agree the proposals presented, retaining the four-year terms, but keep this element of the Grants Committee’s Terms of Reference under review with officers being asked to consider this further and report back ahead of next year’s decisions to appoint the Board’s Committees.

RESOLVED – That the Bridge House Estates Board, in the discharge of functions for the City Corporation as Trustee of Bridge House Estates (charity no. 1035628) and solely in the charity’s best interests:

1. Appoint the Grants Committee for the ensuing year, including the reappointment of Alderman & Sheriff Alison Gowman, Paul Martinelli and Judith Pleasance, and approve the Terms of Reference for the Grants Committee in the form appended;

2. Appoint Deputy Nighat Qureishi to the Grants Committee for the balance of the 4-year term of the current vacant position (for three years, expiring April 2025), and note that in April 2022 the Court of Common Council approved the extension of the two current co-opted Members of the Grants Committee by 12 and 18 months respectively; and,

3. Delegate to the Grants Committee the appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair positions for 2022/23.