Issue - meetings

This report requests approval for the allocation of Neighbourhood CIL (NCIL) funds for 4 community projects from round one of the 2020/21 NCIL programme.

Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the:

(1)      To approved the following NCIL allocations:

·                £227,272.30 for Ultra Education CIC - It Takes a Village – Black Caribbean Boys of Excellence project: Working across families, schools and communities addressing the root cause of the underachievement of Black Caribbean Boys

·                £197,561.95 for Asian Women's Resource Centre(AWRC) - Revitalise  Project: To refurbish the AWRC building in Harlesden so that it was inclusive, accessible, welcoming , safe and comfortable for women, girls and children to access a range of holistic support services offered under one roof.

·                £197,561.95 for Mobs Ventures Ltd / Slenky Powering Change – Social, Mobile Engagement and Ethical AI Project: Developing and imbedding a digital programme aimed at engaging young people in new skills and employment that development has brought to the borough.

·                £146,698.63 for EACH Counselling and Support, Strive Project:  A mental health support programme for BME people to recover from the impact of Mental Health, Domestic Violence and Substance Misuse. Providing culturally sensitive Education Training Employment and counselling support.

(2)     Following on from (1) above to note that the final stage in the process would involve the Grants Manager giving further scrutiny to ensure a deliverable measurable outcome analysis was completed, in conjunction with the organisation/Brent Council. This would form part of a signed funding agreement to be regularly monitored.  If the outcomes were not in line with Brent Council priorities and not agreed, the funding offer may be withdrawn.

The Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning, Councillor Tatler introduced the report seeking approval for the allocation of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to four community programmes. Cabinet noted that applications submitted under the most recent bidding round had been focused on tackling inequality over the long term and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic. As a result four schemes had been shortlisted for consideration involving bids above £100,000 which required approval by Cabinet. In concluding her introduction, Councillor Tatler thanked the team involved in administering the NCIL scheme, which it was noted had allocated over £12million in funding to date for community infrastructure projects.

In supporting the bids identified, Cabinet noted their alignment with the wider priorities of the Council and NCIL regulations. Members further commended how the application round had drawn attention to and promoted the benefits and potential use of NCIL in the wider community.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)      approve the following NCIL allocations:

·                £227,272.30 for Ultra Education CIC - It Takes a Village – Black Caribbean Boys of Excellence project: Working across families, schools and communities addressing the root cause of the underachievement of Black Caribbean Boys

·                     £197,561.95 for Asian Women's Resource Centre(AWRC) - Revitalise  Project: To refurbish the AWRC building in Harlesden so that it was inclusive, accessible, welcoming , safe and comfortable for women, girls and children to access a range of holistic support services offered under one roof.

·                     £197,561.95 for Mobs Ventures Ltd / Slenky Powering Change – Social, Mobile Engagement and Ethical AI Project: Developing and imbedding a digital programme aimed at engaging young people in new skills and employment that development has brought to the borough.

·                     £146,698.63 for EACH Counselling and Support, Strive Project:  A mental health support programme for BME people to recover from the impact of Mental Health, Domestic Violence and Substance Misuse. Providing culturally sensitive Education Training Employment and counselling support.

(2)     note, following on from (1) above, that the final stage in the process would involve the Grants Manager giving further scrutiny to ensure a deliverable measurable outcome analysis was completed, in conjunction with the organisation/Brent Council. This would form part of a signed funding agreement to be regularly monitored.  If the outcomes were not in line with Brent Council priorities and not agreed, the funding offer may be withdrawn.