Decision details

Received and noted a report informing Members how the Government’s Capital Volunteering Grants programme will be utilised to support local voluntary and community sector organisations in 2005 / 2006.

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham will receive £450,000 over the next two and a half years from the Treasury’s ‘Invest to Save’ scheme, as part of the pan London Capital Volunteering Scheme.

Members noted that this was a huge opportunity to expand options for people with mental health problems in the borough, and would assist in their entering and re-entering the labour market after a period of illness.  It would also give a boost to the local voluntary sector through a grants programme, which would give opportunities to expand and attract further funding.

Agreed, in order to assist the borough in meeting its Community Priorities, specifically improving health, housing and social care and promoting equal opportunity and celebrating diversity, and complementing service development in line with the boroughs ‘Mental Health Rehabilitation Strategy’, to endorse the Council’s coordination function in the management and allocation of funds for the Barking and Dagenham Capital Volunteering Project.