Declarations of interest:

o       Councillor Harmer declared previous involvement with the Griffin Park Learning Zone (Item 6).

o       Councillor Chatt declared that one of the applicants was in his ward. Regarding item 4 he declared that he was a school governor in the local area (Item 6).

o       Councillor McGregor declared that he was member of the Hounslow Multicultural Partnership.

The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of proceedings.

See the report by the Third Sector Partnerships Manager – Agenda item 3.

Aine Hayes, Third Sector Partnerships Manager, presented the report which details applications for funding from the Hounslow Community Grant. Ms Hayes explained that applications for funding far exceeded the budget and it was recommended that funds for approved projects be taken from Innovation Grant Funding.

Ms Hayes explained that she was liaising with the health and wellbeing team and that some money had been set aside for smaller grants and community projects. She reported that the Health and Wellbeing team were happy to fund projects approved by the Panel and managed by Community Partnerships and there was also £50,000 of funds available from the closure of the welfare benefits and advice service.

Questions from members

Councillor McGregor questioned whether there was a statutory requirement to provide funding for projects detailed in the report (the Legal Representation Service). He also questioned whether the proposed movement of funds from Health and Wellbeing to Community Partnerships required consideration by Borough Council. 

Responding, Uttam Gurjral, Head of Community Partnerships, advised that the issue did not need to be considered by Council because the funds were reallocated under the same heading. Regarding any statutory responsibility for the Council to provide funding for projects such as the Legal Representation Service, Ms Gurjral advised that although LBH was under no such obligation it had been identified that these projects address a gap in service.  

Councillor McGregor questioned how quality could be assured. He said he understood that there was demand for the service but the panel need to know that the providers can manage the service, how they are being monitored and whether they were providing value for money. Ms Gurjral advised that providers had to deliver against clearly defined outputs. Ms Hayes advised that the funds allowed for users to have an initial meeting with the Legal Representation Service and that further services could then be delivered through other organisations, including the Citizens Advice Bureau. The Chair (Councillor Gupta) clarified that funding would be provided through the grant budget.

African Policy Network

Ms Hayes explained that the African Policy Network was a community arts project which seeks to address Human Rights issues and community cohesion. There were two elements:

i.                    Design workshop

ii.                  Ceramics café – including an intergenerational element.

They have developed over 20 sessions so that users can engage with the project.  In terms of sustainability, they have successfully applied for funding in the past but are also able to generate their own income.

Ms Hayes reported that the African Policy Network had identified an artist but would need the money to buy resources. She understood that they would start advertising from the end of July if they get funding.  

The Panel agreed to accept the recommendation of the report on the condition that they were monitored after 10 weeks. 

Resolved

That the panel accept the recommendation subject to monitoring information being provided at the end of 10 weeks (half  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Members noted the report under item 4.

Ms Hayes reported that Round 3 of the innovations grant was launched on 18 June 2012 and provides small and large grants for organisations delivering projects themed on innovation, development, inclusion and participation. Organisations have been invited to apply for a small grant of up to £5000 or a larger grant of up to £30,000. In exceptional cases the scheme may also consider funding projects up to £50,000.

Members discussed the potential involvement of area committees in the Innovation Grants process and it was noted that funds allocated to area committee’s are not always used and end up going back rather than being used in the local area.

Kate Lawton, Principal Community Cohesion Officer updated the panel on second and third quarter monitoring of the Innovation Grant Scheme which was developed to support voluntary sector organisations to sustainably transform their working practices, meet gaps left by the cessation of London Councils funding and promote cohesion and area based initiatives.

Regarding Redlees Adventure playground, Ms Lawton advised that they had not received the project specification and had not received communications from them. LBH were now proceeding to the withdrawal of the offer letter.

Regarding Volunteer Centre Hounslow Ms Lawton advised that because the organisation did not get the funding initially envisaged they have only been able to employ a part time project coordinator. There have been subsequent delays which have affected its ability to get businesses involved in its work.

The Chair said that organisations are required to submit a proposal for reduced funding and are therefore required to work within those parameters.

See report under Item 6.

Kate Lawton reported that the Hounslow Communities Together Grant supports events celebrating St Georges day, the Diamond Jubilee and events relating to the Olympic and Paralympic games.

Ms Lawton explained that the outputs include events which have involved 8000 residents in 44 celebrations. The feedback from these events was positive and indicated that residents believed that the events had a positive impact on community cohesion.

The CIAP noted the Community Cohesion Plan as an annex of the Council’s overall emergency response plan.

See report under item 8.

The panel noted the content of the report on the Rainbow Project. The project is a partnership programme between LBH and Hounslow Homes (HH) which provides grant funding to projects initiated and led by Hounslow Homes residents, allowing communities to improve issues that directly affect them. The Rainbow Project is managed by the Community Partnerships Unit (CPU) on behalf of Hounslow Homes.

Any other business, which the Chair agrees to consider on the grounds of urgency.  

There was no such business.