Agenda item

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

Members received a report of the Chief Grants Officer and Director of City Bridge Trust relative to an update on the Central Grants Programme (CGP).

The Comptroller & City Solicitor provided an oral update on the rationalisation of City Corporation associated charities, informing Members that the Corporation of London Benevolent Association had now been removed from the register of charities and that its funds have been transferred, subject to conditions, to the Combined Relief of Poverty Charity and that work was ongoing to update the Combined Relief of Poverty Charity’s eligibility criteria to reflect this. Members requested that future reference to the Combined Relief of Poverty Charity should indicate that this charity incorporates the former Corporation of London Benevolent Association as this is where the additional funds come from.

Members expressed a preference that funds be awarded to smaller charities, with queries to be referred to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman for informal consultation. Members also requested brief conclusions on applicants who had fallen through the cracks.

RESOLVED –That the report be received and its contents noted.