Agenda item

1. The £10.5million proposal set out in the Programme Business Case and summarised in this report, for the Commonwealth Community Grants Programme be approved;

2.The delegation of delivery of Grants Programme to an external Grant Administrator, following a robust and compliant competitive procurement process be approved;

3. The ‘in-advance’ cash payment profile for the awarding of grant funds (in contrast to standard 3-month arrear terms) be approved and

4. Engagement with local authorities be undertaken following the appointment of the grant administrator and

5. A standing report be submitted to each Investment Board meeting to report on grant spending for programmes be agreed.

The board considered a report of the Executive Director of Strategy, Integration and Net Zero that sought approval for £10.5m for a Community Grants Programme that would empower communities to design and implement solutions to problems in their own places and spaces, catalysed by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Head of Commonwealth Games Legacy (Inclusive Communities) Bethan Stimpson summarised the key highlights of the report including the three thematic priorities and how the fund would seek to address inequalities and support new and most-in need beneficiaries through their project activity.

Councillor O’ Boyle reported that Coventry City Council Officers had raised concerns regarding how the programme would work and the report did not address how the external Grant Administrator would work with Coventry City Council Officers or set out the process for engagement.

The Head of Commonwealth Games Legacy (Inclusive Communities), Bethan Stimpson, apologised for the oversight on not including the information in the report and advised that the Grant Administrator would work collaboratively; it was intended that they would work with local authority officers and provide regular updates.

Councillor Bird reported that Walsall had not benefited from the Commonwealth Games and considered this fund was one of the best he had seen with regards to legacy funding, and that it supported the Resilient Communities Model in Walsall. He also enquired whether Walsall could become the Grant Administrator for the programme.

Bethan Stimpson reported that the procurement process for the Grant Administrator was currently live but could share who this was when the Grant Administrator had been agreed. She advised that local authorities could have applied to be the Grant Administrator for the programme.

Councillor Simkins commented that he was unsure why local authorities had not submitted bids for the Grant Administrator and reported of the need to notify Cabinet Members of bidding opportunities. Councillor Bird asked that Bethan Stimpson inform him of who in Walsall had been informed of the process to appoint a Grant Administrator for the programme.

In relation to an enquiry from Councillor Hughes regarding the input from local authorities on youth involvement, child obesity and mental health, Bethan Stimpson undertook to provide Councillor Hughes with the information following the meeting.

Councillor O’Boyle reported that he was minded not to approve the report as details had not been included in the report on the grants process or how the Grant Administrator would work with local authorities.

The Executive Director of Strategy, Integration and Net Zero, Ed Cox, reported that the procurement process was still ongoing in appraising bids for the appointment of a Grant Administrator and similarly, the grant application process had not yet started so was unable to provide this information today. He undertook to provide these details to Councillor O’ Boyle and Coventry City Council Officers when confirmed.

The Chair asked that engagement with local authorities be added to the report recommendations.

The board reported of the need to receive regular updates on where grant funding is being spent and asked for a standing report to be submitted each meeting.

Resolved:

1.    The £10.5million proposal set out in the Programme Business Case and summarised in this report, for the Commonwealth Community Grants Programme be approved.

2.     The delegation of delivery of the Grants Programme to an external Grant Administrator, following a robust and compliant competitive procurement process be approved;

3.     The ‘in-advance’ cash payment profile for the awarding of grant funds (in contrast to standard 3-month arrear terms) be approved and

4.    Engagement with local authorities be undertaken following the appointment of the grant administrator and

5.    A standing report be submitted to each Investment Board meeting

to report on grant spending for programmes be agreed.