Decision details

The Cabinet will be asked to consider commissioning priority and funding profile proposals for the corporate grants fund from April 2011 – March 2014

The Cabinet Member for Crime, Justice and Communities presented a report on the outcome of a strategic review of the corporate grants programme which was conducted between November 2009 and July this year. 

The focus of the review has been to ensure that the limited future funds are targeted to where they will be most effective, while at the same time continuing to develop the environment for a thriving third sector in the borough.  The new model proposes the division of available funding under three main streams of Strategic Commissions, an Innovation fund and small grants, with specific funding for the Open Farm and Victims of Crime initiatives being transferred from the grants budget to the relevant service departments.  In respect of the Strategic Commissions, there are two themes of ‘infrastructure’ and ‘strengthening communities’ and within the former is a proposal for the procurement of a Local Infrastructure Organisation.  It was also noted that the outcome of the London Councils grants programme review, to which Barking and Dagenham currently contributes £584,000, is expected to be known by the end of 2010.

The Head of Community Cohesion and Equalities also reported on the views expressed by the Safer and Stronger Select Committee following its consideration of the report last week, which were noted. 

Agreed, in order to assist the Council to achieve the Community Priority “Fair and Respectful”, to:

  (i)  The adjusted model for the corporate grants programme as set out in the report;

  (ii)  That a further report be presented in March 2011 which will make proposals for the allocation of funding under this programme prepared in response to latest information about funding available at that time;

  (iii)  The procurement strategy for a three year contract for the provision of Local Infrastructure Organisation support, as detailed in the report; and

  (iv)  The virement of the following funds from the Community Cohesion divisional budget:

a)  £25,000 in respect of an Open Farm, to the Leisure and Arts division

b)  £31,500 in respect of support to victims of crime, to the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Services division.