Agenda and minutes

The Panel received a report of the Executive Director (Business Connections), asking Members to consider applications received from local charities wishing to be sponsored for a street collection permit for 2004.

Harrow MENCAP, who were already sponsored between 22 and 26 March 2004, wished to move their dates for a street collection to Friday 25 and Sunday 27 June to coincide with National Learning Disability Week. Members were asked to note that Sunday 27 June fell outside the Council’s local appeals periods and therefore Harrow MENCAP could only be sponsored for Friday 25 June 2004.

Harrow M.S. Therapy Centre had made an application for a street collection on Saturday 4 September 2004, which was within the local appeals period. Any money collected would go towards the M.S. Therapy Centre in Harrow.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (To the Portfolio Holder)

That the application received from (1) Harrow MENCAP requesting to move their dates for a street collection from 22 and 26 March to Friday 25 June 2004, to coincide with National Learning Disability Week, be agreed;

(2) Harrow M.S. Therapy Centre for a street collection on Saturday 4 September 2004 be agreed.

REASON:  To enable the two organisations to make a formal application to the Metropolitan Police in order to obtain a permit to collect on the dates specified in the application before the Panel.

(See also Minute 123).

The Panel received a report of the Executive Director (Business Connections) regarding the Council’s future strategy for providing the most appropriate support to voluntary organisations in Harrow, prior to conducting a 2-stage consultation exercise.

Members were asked to note the baseline support provided to voluntary organisations by the Council, to consider the strategic approach for future administration of support to those organisations and to authorise officers to consult the voluntary sector on the proposals. Feedback would be reported to the Panel, prior to going to Cabinet in July.

Appendix 1 to the report set out the support by the Authority to voluntary organisations for 2003-2004, which was administered by various Council departments in several ways i.e. main grants, grants-based service level agreements (SLAs), free office accommodation at community premises and concessionary lettings.

The Director of Financial and Business Strategy explained how a pattern of Local Authority support was emerging to the majority of historically funded organisations.  The administration of community premises had previously been reviewed and the view then was taken that the concessionary (Education) lettings arrangements would change to that of grant funding. The intention was to allocate funds via the Grants Panel who were yet to agree a new system for this.

A Member suggested that a system should be put in place to avoid organisations applying for funds for concessionary lettings and then using those funds to hire cheaper premises such as school halls.  Responding, the Portfolio Holder for Partnership and Property advised that clarification would be required if the system proved to be detrimental to the Authority, and that in 2003 Education lettings had had to be bailed out by £30,000. The Director of Financial and Business Strategy agreed that a system needed to be put in place whereby the applicant would have to submit specific details such as the premises they wished to hire.

The Portfolio Holder for Partnership and Property suggested that organisations should acknowledge the Authority for supporting them by some appropriate form of wording on their stationery, together with the Borough’s logo.  He felt that organisations who were given a grant of between £10,000 - £100,000 were under an obligation to promote their sponsors. Another Member supported his view and felt that public perception would increase, together with an understanding of where some of the taxpayers’ money was allocated. Members were of a mixed view. Some Members felt that it would leave the floodgates open for other sponsors to ask for their company name/logo to be incorporated onto voluntary organisations’ stationery, leaving organisations who were given minimal funding unable to afford the associated printing costs and creating a knock on effect for the purposes of the original grant.

The Director of Financial and Business Strategy explained to Members the proposal to clearly distinguish between grants and SLAs. It was proposed that a grant of under £10,000 would be subject to a standard letter setting out the purpose and reporting requirements. SLAs above £50,000 would require the approval of the Portfolio Holder.  ...  view the full minutes text for item

Further to this having been raised as an item of any other business, and in accordance with Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 6, the Panel agreed to consider a tabled letter from the Harrow Islamic Society on the grounds that it had been omitted from the agenda in error. The Chairman of the Society, Mr Hoosen, was requesting the continued use of the community premises.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (To The Portfolio Holder) 

That the Harrow Islamic Society be granted use of the community premises for 4 hours per month.

REASON: To provide continued support to members of the Harrow Islamic Society.

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of interest (if any) from Members of the Committee arising from business to be transacted at this meeting.

RESOLVED: To note that the following Members declared personal interests in the business to be transacted at this meeting arising from their involvement in the organisations listed and that, accordingly, they remained in the room and participated in all the discussions and decisions at the meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meetings held on 19 February 2004 and 8 March 2004, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meetings held on 19 February and 8 March 2004, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as correct records, subject to Minute 93 of the meeting on 19 February 2004 being amended to show that Councillor Omar had declared an interest as a Member of the Islamic Society, not the Harrow Pakistan Society.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no public questions to be received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no petitions to be received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 13 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no deputations to be received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 14 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

Report of the Executive Director (Executive Director)

(See Recommendation 1).

Executive Director (Business Connections)

(See Recommendation 2).

The Panel wished to express their thanks to Mr Zach Stavrinos, Temporary Grants Officer, for all his hard work and contributions and wished him good luck and every success with his future career. The Panel asked officers to send a letter of thanks to him on their behalf.

RESOLVED: That the action set out above be agreed.