Grants Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee - Tuesday 9 September 2025, 7:00pm - Wandsworth Council Webcasting

Grants Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee
Tuesday, 9th September 2025 at 7:00pm 

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I'm ready.
Yes.
All right.
Good evening, everyone.
All right.
Welcome to this meeting.
My name is Councillor Julian Anan, and I'm the chair of the grant overview and scrutiny
subcommittee.
You may wish to say, members of the committee, I will now call your names in alphabetical
order.
Please switch on your microphone to confirm your attendance
We have apologies from Councillor Mrs Graham
She's running late, okay alright
Councillor Lizzie
I'm here
Alright
Councillor Jack Michaels
Here
Councillor Joe Riebe
Councillor Stivuoro. Apologies for absence have been received from
Councillor Danny Hamilton and Norman. We have officers present who will introduce
themselves as they introduce the committee.
So what I call on Ms. Harrits -Still.
So introduce yourself.
Hi, I'm Harrits -Still.
I'm the Voluntary Sector Partnership Manager at the Council.
Okay, so we have declaration of interest.
Are there any declarations of either pecuniary or non -registable interests?
If so, please declare any interests, quoting the item and paper number in which you have
interests and describing the nature of your interests, including whether or not you have
been taking part in the item.
Minutes for the Underfeed of June 2025.

1 Declaration of Interests

2 Minutes - 5th June 2025

Does the committee agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5th of June 2025?
And can it be signed as a correct record?
All right, Councillor Steve Worrall, can you speak?
Yeah, I've got a query in relation to the minutes.
At the last meeting, we asked for offices to go away and look at the guidance around
around large reserves and the policy around that, and then ask them to come back and feed
back to us their considerations around that.
That wasn't accurately recorded in the minutes, and it should have been an action that should
have actually been in the minutes.
Sorry, as a result, I assumed the officers concerned would not be in the position to
report back on that.
That's why I'm just raising it now.
So if we could carry it over to the next one, I'd be grateful, please.
All right.
So officers, do you have anything to say about this?
We'll take that away and come back to you for the next meeting.
Anybody want to say anything before we move on?
So we're going to ask Ms. Stoll to introduce the item and the papers.
Thank you, Chair.
It's just a question on page 5 before you go into the actual applications.
It was regarding the progress of projects.
It looks like there are two applications that have been extended, one in round 25 and one
in round 26.
I just wondered if you had any information on those.
Thank you.
I'd have to look up exactly which ones they are, but we sometimes get contact of organisations
if they've had difficulties in delivery of projects.
So I'll look up those and feedback to you if that's okay.
Okay.
So this is round 30 of the Wainsworth Grant Fund.

3 Wandsworth Grant Fund, Round 30 (Paper No. 25-291)

We received 15 eligible applications requesting £130 ,932.
pounds and we are recommending awarding eight applications just for a total of
seventy thousand nine hundred and twelve pounds. I'm happy to go through the
applications one by one and answer any questions on them but again it's a
similar number of applications to last time.
All right, so paper M1.
All right, so let me call on Ms. Stills to introduce paper number one.
that is the Ardmeria School.
So number one is from Ardmeria Limited.
It's an Albanian supplementary school.
They're requesting 9 ,800 pounds, and that
will support their supplementary school project, which
caters for children aged 8 to 11 years of Albanian heritage.
They want to benefit up to 60 children for the project.
Apparently, approximately 48 of them will be Wandsworth residents.
Officers felt that the applicant had not clearly described how they met the fund priorities.
The applicant stated that the school had been running in Wandsworth for a number of years
and existing activities or projects are a low priority for the fund.
The applicant hadn't clearly evidenced how they would work closely with schools to complement
the curriculum or wider partnership working with children's services.
And the need for the project hadn't been clearly demonstrated.
So in this case, officers felt the recommendation should be not to award a grant.
All right, does anybody have anything to say?
Are you happy for A to B?
Yes.
All right, okay, agreed.
All right.
So application number two is from Art and Soul.
They are requesting £9 ,323, and this is for a pilot project that will deliver £15 ,000
art therapists led art for well -being workshops
in the Alton Arts Hub for adults
experiencing mental health challenges.
They're anticipating that 15 residents
will attend each session with 45
anticipated over the course of the project.
As well as the regular workshops,
they're proposing a exhibition at the end,
which would be at Parnie Arts Theatre,
and they were expecting about 200 visitors
to attend that event.
Officers felt that the applicant had clearly
described the need for the project
and how it aligns with the health and well -being
thematic area.
They talk about how they've seen a rise in self -referrals
from one's first residents unable to access the sessions
that they currently run in Twickenham.
They currently, there are currently no similar services locally, so they're meeting unmet
needs.
One thing to note is that they had only put in one endorsement for this application.
Officers felt that was probably an oversight because the main activity will be the art
of well -being workshops with just the exhibition being
a short, concise element of the project.
So in the round, officers felt that we
should support the application.
All right, Councillor Lindsey.
Thanks, Chair.
I think this is a really great application
and really support, obviously, the mental health
side of things.
I just wondered, how do we perceive,
or how do we see participants that are being supported
after the project ends?
Yeah, Ms. Till.
Yeah, sure.
So, Art and Soul run a number of activities
that people can drop into after the project ends officially.
And we'd also look to link them in
with other activities or things that the Council can signpost them to.
Additionally, with this application, we had recommended maybe that they look at an exhibition
venue closer to the Alton rather than Parton East, so potentially Focus Hall, but that
could be explored with them if we were to award the grant.
Yeah, anybody else want to say anything?
So, do you agree on that?
All right, agreed.
All right, next paper.
So the third application was from Blink Dance Theatre.
So they are looking for funding to create a sensory hub at space 52 in Nine Elms.
And this would cater for around ten adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities
and their unpaid carers.
They're looking to provide funding, looking for funding which would provide the equipment
to set up the hub and then would also provide sensory workshops and outreach in the community
the sharing events.
Officers felt that they clearly described how the project aligns with the health and
well -being theme.
They identified that the project fills a gap in the area.
They look to have strong partnerships with local organisations.
And they have a deep understanding of the marginalised group that they are seeking to
support.
and through the project they'll also support learning disabled artists with training and leadership roles
which will contribute to their long -term sustainability and social inclusion.
So on balance, officers felt it would be good to support this application with £9 ,958.
All right, Ms. Do you have anything to say about this paper?
Are you happy about it?
All right, so do we agree to this?
All right, thank you.
So application four is from an organisation called Cooking Up, and they're seeking £2033.
They are seeking funding to deliver a pilot project, which would be three cookery classes
at the yard, south west London vineyard premises.
And that would support 18 once worth of residence
from the Ashburton estate.
And they would take part in supervised cooking sessions
where they'd learn how to cook a delicious meal
and then can take that home with them.
Officers felt that the project's outcomes
clearly align with health and wellbeing theme
and deliver against the council's healthy eating
weight and nutrition plan.
The project addresses a clear need in the area,
and there's a gap in provision for in -person cooking classes
in Wandsworth, particularly in that West Putney area.
Officers noted that there are a couple of other projects
that the fund has supported in the past.
For example, Bags of Taste and Blind Aid,
where they are supporting people with cooking.
But we felt this was sufficiently different
that it would be worth supporting the pilot initiative.
Hello, Madam Vice -President, do you have anything?
Councillor Orell.
I'm happy to support this.
Just as a matter of interest more than anything else is
there are no venue costs associated with this.
So are we to presume that the venue is being provided
free of charge to the organisation?
And I presume the equipment transport
that's referred to in here is for cooking,
pots and pans, that sort of stuff,
but 480 pounds is quite a lot of money
for a journey backwards and forwards
between Hammond and Putney.
So I'm just querying that.
The project I think is a really good one,
but that seems exorbitant,
and I said there are no venue costs
which I would have expected.
I'm just trying to look at the application.
I can't remember the venue cost, but as far as I understand it, the venue was in kind.
And in terms of the cost for the equipment, we can certainly take that up with them and
to see if they can reduce the cost in that.
But that's obviously the amount they requested
within the application form.
Yeah, I'm not necessarily maybe suggesting,
it would be good to reduce that,
but to invest that money somewhere else in the project
to maybe to expand it or to form more participants
in that way.
I'm not asking for any money to be taken away from it.
I might be better to maybe reinvest, but if they could reduce that and have three or four more people coming along, that would be great.
Yeah, that's good. Anybody want to say anything again?
For me personally, I think it's a great project, so it's what we found in it as well.
So do we agree to this? Everybody agree? All right.
Number five is from Craft Forward CIC and they are requesting £4600 for a project called
Men Can Knit.
This is a six week creative project where six men who are experiencing loneliness and
mental health challenges would attend workshops at 575 Wandsworth Road to learn to knit and
to collaboratively create a blanket for the Blankets for London project.
Officers felt that, they state that the project will be delivered in Shaft Spring Queen Town
Ward, but the venue that they're describing is outside of the borough, just within Lambeth.
It was also unclear whether the beneficiaries would be solely from the Shaft Spring Queen's
ward and if they were seeking beneficiaries from a wider area then a second council endorsement
would need to be obtained.
And officers felt that there was limited reach for the project with just six individuals
being able to benefit and because of that the project cost appeared quite high.
So on this occasion officers were not minded to support.
Members, do we have anything to say?
Agreed.
So now to support.
I was hoping that we could look a bit into it because it's men's projects and men normally
don't really get to get together in doing their projects.
So for men to say, okay, all right, say that we want to get together and do something for
isolation sake and mental health, I was thinking that if we could reach out to them and ask
them where exactly they're going to do the location.
Maybe their office might be in one sweat,
and the venue is just outside.
But the people who are going to cross are like, on that border.
Can we please look into that?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thank you for that.
And I agree with you.
It would be nice to have a project.
Men's mental health is often very poor.
And we know that men have higher suicide rates than, especially
among certain age groups.
Just in relation to the actual place, the 575 is actually, belongs to the National Trust.
And by a quirk of the way the boundaries are drawn, everything around it actually is in
Wandsworth.
And for some reason, the way the boundary lines go just dips into and takes into that
small part of it.
So it is literally on the Wandsworth.
If there was a straight line running across, it would fall into Wandsworth.
When I spoke to them, they were very conscious of being on the Lambeth -Wandsworth border
and would have been targeting men through the SHED projects and other things that are in Wandsworth itself.
But I take on board everything that's been fed back and thank you for the recommendation to think about men's mental health.
Also to add one more thing to it, I think it's because they've got only six people,
only six men, I'm sure when they get the money they will be able to invite more people or
reach out to more people so can we also look into that.
Or do we have any activity or projects that is in one's worth that is for men that we
can say, okay, all right, they should redirect the people
to that place, something like that,
because a lot of men are struggling.
Yeah, so please, thank you.
We, do we all agree on this?
That they will look into that?
Yeah, all right, thank you.
Number six is from Enable Leisure and Culture,
and they're requesting 10 ,000 pounds
for a cardiac screening pilot.
So with this funding they want to support
at least 100 children and young people
with free cardiac screening procedures
based at community venues in Roehampton,
Battersea and Tooting.
They would screen for preventative cardiac conditions
through electrocardiograms and echocardiograms.
and they would work in collaboration with a charity called Cardiac Risk in the Young,
the NHS South West London Integrated Care Board and consultants from St. George's Hospital.
Officers consulted with colleagues within public health on this and the UK National
Screening Committee doesn't currently recommend systemic population screening for people under
at the age of 39 for conditions associated
with sudden cardiac death.
We felt that the project would need to be developed further
and clearly described and evidenced
in how this preventative intervention would be used.
There wasn't any information about the screening criteria
that they would be using.
There was also no evidence around the quality
and clinical governance for the project.
these sort of projects would need to have clear clinical guidance to go ahead and that
wasn't clearly described.
And the applicant hadn't clearly described how the projects fitted within the clinical
pathway and also the sort of treatment or follow -up if someone had been identified with
a condition.
And it was also unclear if the proposed project had been discussed with local groups and particularly
around the sort of implementation and delivery
of the project.
Some balance officers felt not to award
at this point in time.
Hello members, do you have anything to say
about this project?
All right, Councillor.
Just a very small type, I think on page 37
on the previous awards, R14,
I think it should either be twenty two thousand one hundred or two thousand one hundred just in case it's misleading for future
consideration
All right, so do we agree on that
Thank you so agreed
And so number seven is the honey pot children's charity and they're requesting 10 ,000 pounds
They're seeking funding to support young carers aged between five and 12 from Wandsworth.
The project will target 36 children from Wandsworth who care for family members with disabilities
or illness.
And they will provide residential breaks for children.
And for those unable to stay away, they will provide a memory -making day.
The organisation is a national charity.
to have several venues and they would seek to take children from Wandsworth to their
venue in the New Forest.
The officers felt that the applicant had clearly demonstrated the need for the project and
aligned it with the Children and Young People's Thematic Area.
The project cost seemed realistic and the applicant had linked in with the Wandsworth
Carers' Centre who described the demand for this kind of support and were keen to refer
young carers to the project.
And unbalanced officers felt they were minded to support with the cost of £10 ,000.
Okay, Councillor Warr -O 'Fess.
Thank you.
Whilst I value this project and I can see the strengths of this and the aspirations
involved, I do have concerns once again that we are supporting organisations with huge
assets and huge reserves.
Yet I recognise that some of these are fixed and their unrestricted reserve is, what, £740 ,000.
That's still a considerable amount of money that they're actually asking for, hence going
back to what I said earlier about a policy and some guidance and some consideration about
organisations which are national organisations asking us when we are turning down smaller
organisations on other criteria.
So I would support this, but I want to once again raise an issue around the large reserves
of organisations making applications in relation to this.
I just wanted to know how this grant is going to explicitly benefit children in the local
community in Wandsworth.
So the 36 children that they're going to identify working with the Wandsworth Carer Centre who
are young carers for family members with disabilities or illness or substance misuse.
For those that are able to take time away from the care and responsibility, they will
take the children to their activity centre in the New Forest and give them a couple of
nights stay, an overnight stay there, where they will be able to take part in a variety
of activities.
It looks like it's a site, obviously, within the forest, so they have access to nature
and other activities on site.
For those that aren't able to stay away,
they do these making memory days where
they will take children out for some memorable activity
that they can then connect with other young carers.
So we'll be supporting these 36 children
to have time away from their caring responsibilities,
have a bit of respite and fun with other young carers
and create those memories.
Just quick follow -up. So with Wandsworth carers, are they all definitely live in Wandsworth
and they are Wandsworth residents, they're not out of the borough by any chance?
And so we would stipulate that it would be residents from Wandsworth who would be attending.
Anybody else has anything to say? So do we agree on this? I know it's a great project
and for ages 5 to 12 is good.
So we agreed, yeah.
Please introduce the next speaker.
The next application is from Catherine Lowe Settlement.
They're seeking £10 ,000 for a move and munch club.
So through this project they will run two weekly
one -hour chair dance exercise classes for 48 weeks
and aim to support at least 28 Wandsworth residents
over the age of 60.
The application, the applicant is clearly described
in how they align with the health and well -being theme.
They have described how they meet a gap in provision.
It's felt the project offers value for money.
It's about three pounds 97 per person per session.
And it aligns well and complements the commissioned age well,
Battersea Service, and it was felt that it would be a good project to support the health and
well -being of older people in the borough, and therefore we're minded to support the group with an award of 10 ,000 pounds.
That's Lillie's ear.
Thank you, Chair.
So I fully support all the work of KLS.
But I've noticed, and I probably have mentioned this before,
that there have been a number of grants
that we have given to KLS from Wandsworth Council
over recent years.
And apologies if I'm asking the same question,
but could you give us clarity as to how this project
differs from others that we've,
from other applications we've granted?
And also what steps are you taking to avoid duplication?
And how are we making sure this is adding value
to our residents?
So we cross -cheque the application with previous applications
that have come in and looking at what we funded
through the Wandsworth Grant Fund.
This is a different project.
Obviously there may be some older people that benefit for a number of the projects if they
attend different activities with the centre, but we're not able to assess that within this
application.
And the question is about duplication?
Okay.
Okay, Councillor Wrigley.
Yeah, I think I've raised this a few times as well.
Could we push back on counsellors when they're just giving a couple of words?
All right.
Counsellor, my question, do you want to say anything?
All right.
All right, so add a bit to KLS.
I think KLS has got a very big organisation.
They've got a lot of activities and sessions that they do in events.
So they might apply for something for love to lend this time,
and the nurse run is going to be for the elderly people,
and then the nurse run is going to be for the women alone.
So I do understand what you're saying,
but your project is really different.
So please, yeah.
To say we should support them,
but just to explain it to you,
that's what is happening in KF.
It's because of the different projects that they are doing.
That's why it seems it looks like
they keep coming back for funding.
So yeah, I don't think there's a duplication anyway
All right. Thank you. And so do we agree to that?
Great
Thank you
And the next application is from the local spiritual assembly of the Paris of Wandsworth and they're requesting
8120 pounds
The funding would be to deliver a 12 -month youth -led programme providing structured sessions for young people aged
11 to 15 in Wandsworth.
They're wanting to provide supervised cooking,
communal dining, food education,
and youth empowerment activities,
and they're anticipating that they would start
with 10 young people and aim to support
20 to 30 young people per term.
Officers felt that with this application,
they hadn't clearly described how the project
was separate from their religious activities.
The fund doesn't support faith -based groups or organisations where the funds will be used
to promote religious views.
And some of the wording in the application form and how they describe the project, it
was unclear that there would be that separation.
The grant requested also appeared high in proportion to the applicant's income, which
which seems to have not exceeded 2 ,000 pounds.
So 10 ,000 pounds would be a large amount of money, or even 8 ,000 pounds would be a large amount of money.
And the reach of the project seemed limited with only ten or
moving up to 30 people benefiting from the project.
So at this time, officers were minded not to support.
it.
Councillor Warren, please.
Thank you.
I'd like to ask the committee to reconsider this one.
Knowing the Baha 'i movement, not as an adherent, but knowing people in the Baha 'i movement,
it is not a movement that goes out to recruit people in terms of its faith, unlike some
other faiths that I'm aware of.
One of the issues that has arisen is the small number of people served by the project, yet
we just passed a project where we're giving classes to 18 people.
So this is a project that's actually growing.
Also, there's nothing, obviously I haven't seen the full application, but there's nothing
here to say that it is for people of the Baha 'i faith only.
They are part of a Be Well and Citizens UK network.
So from the description of the project, they actually, they are, it's an open door project.
And knowing other Baha 'i projects, that they are, it's an open organisation and anybody
of any faith actually comes in and can actually use their space as a universal movement.
Also, we have given money to other organisations that are faith -based.
And all the time I've been in the Grants Committee, a number of churches, mosques have actually
applied, et cetera.
And so I find it quite interesting we're suddenly using this criteria on this one.
I said not having seen the full application I take on board, there might be something
in there in terms of the wording.
But I think that there is merit in this application.
I think I would like us to reconsider it.
Maybe there are areas for re -clarification from your recommendation summary.
But this is something I'd like us to reconsider, please.
Rosalie is he?
Yeah, thank you, Chair.
I agree with everything that Councillor Worrell has said.
Actually, I'm familiar with the Baha 'i faith and agree.
Actually, more broadly, a question on applications as well.
because there's another one here that we've got for Nightingale -Hamerson that I think has also been refused on similar grounds.
And I know both of those organisations, institutions
do not discriminate against other faiths.
So I'd be keen to understand a bit more about that and
why we're refusing really good community organisations on the basis of faith.
Thank you.
Miss Thild, you would like to respond to this?
Hi, thank you.
Melissa Watson, head of Communities and Partnerships.
So I just thought I'd respond on that point around the grant criteria.
So in the grant criteria for the ones with the grant fund, one of the areas that we don't
fund are projects that are primarily focused around or have a strong emphasis on promoting
a faith because the concept really behind the fund is for it to be quite inclusive for
different communities.
That's not to say that we wouldn't fund a faith -based organisation, which we have in
the past, but what they've done is demonstrated that there is a wider community benefit than
that which is, for example, solely the congregation, for example, that are attending a church.
It's perhaps, you know, renovating a church hall, which you have different community groups
coming in and using that space.
So it's been on that distinction.
but when I spoke to Ms. Steele earlier
about this particular application,
I understand that in their submission
there was quite a heavy emphasis on
sort of describing the project in terms of
the faith -based element of what they do.
So it was in part how they described
what they were seeking to achieve through this project
and their ambitions around it.
I think Council Member Warren will speak.
Thank you for that.
And obviously I'm not part of that discussion.
However, on the paperwork that you've submitted in front of us, you've actually said that they're part of a network.
They're also in partnership with Chaos House and Fair Share in ways not whatnot.
Knowing Fair Share very well, I don't see those organisations that would partner
with other organisations that were probably promoting
a faith -based actually approach.
So I take on board what you're saying,
but on the basis of what you've submitted here,
I cannot see why we would not overturn
this decision -making process in terms of your recommendation.
There's nothing here.
I would like, if you feel that this should continue
to be refused, it would be useful then to see the paperwork
where that's actually stressed in terms of recruiting
from a Baha 'i background or promoting Baha 'i
aims and objectives.
Okay, should I respond to that point?
Yeah, so, I mean obviously the committee
can make a different decision,
and part of the role is to bring in
that additional information to this conversation.
And I mean, Harriet might have some additional comments
to make about the application itself.
But if they are partnering with other organisations as well,
then that is quite a positive,
sort of inclusive element to what they do.
And then the other point as well about the recommendation
is that their turnover at the moment is very, very small.
So one of the other issues that we'd raised
in the assessment was their ability
and their capacity to manage a significant level of funding compared to what they manage
now and that's generally how we assess lots of organisations as well. So there's all the
elements as well to the recommendation.
Anybody else have anything to say?
Yes, to come back on the point about the money, like how it's more money than they used to
have it, like the bulk of it is just going to get sent straight to the hire of the house.
So it's not a complicated budget for anyone to manage if you go like 90 % of it's going
to one vendor so I wouldn't let that put us off in this case.
All right do you have anything to say Ms. Melissa? No that's that's okay it's
kind of a an evaluation of that don't know how it whether you've got anything
additional to add to that Ms. Hill? No, I mean I think you know as we described
from from the language that we saw in the application it was very much around
the spirituality and the faith and obviously we make a judgement based on
the application we're provided with but if if councillors want to relook at this
then that's fine.
Yeah, but also what I want to add to it is that is it possible for us to sit down with
them to show them how properly to put, because sometimes it's the wording, just the wording
that takes you off, and they've really got a good project.
So if we can help them in how to work this thing, because how do they do the wording
of the application properly for them to get the funding.
I don't think we want to cancel we are here to be rejecting people
I don't want people to feel and think that I saw once with council
That's the way they don't just give you the fun and they just there to refuse you refuse you refuse you
let's go back and then sit them down and say okay like this is how you've done it you should wear it this way and
Maybe in the next round or something. We should what and how we gonna help them in doing it comes in a warrior
Yeah, taking aboard what the offices have fed back to us and they are looking at the
applications and we have to trust their judgement in relation to this.
I would like to make a proposal in terms of in principle to agree this on the basis that
the offices can go back and explore with the organisation that the issue of their concerns
around faith and recruiting and the faith -based issue.
If the officers feel that at the end of that,
there is still that this is,
that the recruiting on the base of faith
and it's a faith promotion type
is still the strongest element of this,
then I'd be happy to say,
okay, on the basis of the recommendation,
not to accept this.
If they go away and come back and consider and say,
actually, as you were saying,
It could be a misrepresentation in terms of the wording or the way that they've made the
application, but they feel actually that's not the primary emphasis and everything else.
So I trust the officer's judgement in relation to that, and that would be my recommendation
for guidance for the officers is to give them some leeway around this one, because, as I
said, we haven't seen the application forms.
We are looking at a summary recommendation report, and there could be things in there
quite justifiably that they've picked up that we're not aware of.
But I'd like to make a suggestion to the committee that in principle we'd agree this,
but give the officers the discretion to explore that one element that's causing a lot of discussion around the table at this moment in time.
So do we agree that officers will go back and then have a sit down with the organisation to help them how to do the wedding or show them how to go about it?
because I know it's a good project, so do we agree on that?
Yeah, all right, agree.
Though please introduce the next speaker.
So next application is from MotivSIC,
and they're requesting 10 ,000 pounds from the fund
to provide a multi -school community competition,
which will help to develop innovative solutions
to sustainability issues in transport and fashion.
They are looking to target 60 young people aged 14 to 16 who are eligible for free school
meals or at risk of exclusion or not in education, employment or training.
And it is a year -long project working with the schools where they will work with the
solutions to issues. Officers felt that the applicant had clearly described how
they meet the environment and attractive neighbourhoods theme. The project
strongly aligned with the Wandsworth environment sustainability strategy and
also the Wandsworth climate action plan and the applicant had clearly
demonstrated the need for the project. Officers are recommending that if
awarded the
applicant would be linked in with the council's climate change team to make sure that they continue to align with the council strategy and
Also look at how green construction skills can be promoted as part of this project
Because this is an area that's the power already working and there's likely to be high demand in the near future
So officers on balance are recommending awarding ten thousand pounds
You actually answered my question because I had it down here as how does this complement
or enhance the existing programmes that Wandsworth Council already have.
But I think you've clearly answered that, so thank you.
Yeah, Council members?
Agreed.
Okay.
All right.
Mr. Police -Wontina.
The next project is from Nightingale -Hamerson.
They're requesting £7 ,500 to run a fortnightly dementia cafe at Nightingale House in Ballum.
They would run two -hour sessions over 24 weeks, and the cafe would support people living with
dementia and their carers across Wandsworth.
Supporting the sessions, they would also work with local school children to provide an intergenerational
element and they aimed to support at least 120 elderly residents and 60 school children.
Officers felt that with this project the need for the project had not clearly been identified.
The applicant stated it was replacing lost services but there's currently a weekly dementia
cafe within the same area.
It was also felt unclear what proportion of attendees would be residents of Nightingale
house, the nursing home, as opposed to residents from the wider community.
And it was unclear how that would be, the project would be clearly promoted within the
community.
And again, talking about faith -based organisations, the charity has a clear focus on supporting
the Jewish community.
It's a care home run by the charity, which has a Jewish focus, and it's unclear how sort
accessible the dementia cafe would feel for the people particularly within the
care home setting and it was noted that the applicant had a high level of
reserves as well. So unbalanced officers felt that they we would not support this at this time.
Yeah okay so I'm gonna go through each of these points. So dementia is
like one of the biggest growing issues in our community.
And we have an ageing population,
almost all of us are going to experience
or be carers of somebody with dementia.
So we cannot accept that having one club
as the local library, which is,
you know, is quite some walk if you're 80, 90 years old.
I don't think we can accept that it's okay
to just have one support for dementia, like one thing a week. As we go forward as a society,
we're going to need an awful lot more than that to cope with the demand. I've been into,
you know, this centre quite a lot. There's not just people of the Jewish faith who actually live
in the home. It does welcome people from other faiths or indeed no faiths. And I've spoken to
the directors there about how they manage that.
It's a highly innovative space.
It's one of the first places this has done this intergenerational programme
with very old people and very young people
and they've had very positive outcomes from it
from people outside the community as well
because obviously those children are not living in the home.
What's interesting is the match funding.
So if we don't give the funding, then there's match funding that they won't get from the
trust donation or from volunteers.
It does look like they've got a huge amount in the bank, but when you look at the size
of the building that they have, it's enormous.
They could probably spend most of that just replacing the roof.
It's a very, it's a money hungry building in terms of heating it and repairs.
I would like us to relook at this.
I do know the people in here very well and
I do know that they're hugely committed to the local community and making sure that they have strong links with the local community.
And I know that they would work to make sure more people attend.
I mean, 120 people is a lot for the amount that they're asking for.
They're going to cover a lot of people.
Not everyone in that care home has dementia.
So they're going to need to go.
I would really like us to reconsider this one and just ask them to log and be conscious
of how many people from the local community are going to it.
There's almost nothing available for dementia care in any of our communities.
Thank you.
Does anybody else want to say anything?
Ms. Till, do you have anything to say?
No, it's really helpful to hear your insight.
I'm happy to relook at this one.
So, Councillors, do we agree with Joe?
So we agree on that, yeah?
Agree.
Yeah, right.
So please introduce the next speaker.
The next application number 12 is from Roslyn Park FC.
They are requesting £9 ,770 and this is for free outdoor sports pitch and gym sessions
for 50 local children aged between 11 to 16 from the Roehampton and Lennox estates.
They're looking to open up sports venues with a coach so they'll be supervised sessions
between 4 and 6 p .m. every Monday.
Officers felt that this was a good project
that clearly aligned with the Children and Young People's priority areas.
They'd evidenced the need for the project
and they showed that they'd engaged with young people
around creating the project
and it was felt that the project provided good value for money.
So, I'm reminded to support this project in full.
Councillor Warriner.
Thank you.
Yeah, I am supporting this project.
I just want to clarify a couple of things, though.
In page 62, in terms of past applications, there are two awards that we made, but yet
They haven't actually produced their reports back to us in terms of the way the money was spent and the outcomes of that.
I would ask as a recommendation is that part of the condition of the grant is that we also receive those reports so
that we know that they are reporting back to us and accountable for the money concerned.
But, Aigis?
Yeah, very similar lines.
I was just going to say, given that we've already awarded a number of grants,
some of these projects not started,
how can we explain why a further award is necessary
at this stage, given the others haven't been delivered?
And how can you give us assurance
that the projects will be delivered,
and this one will be delivered as well?
Any other question, any other contribution, question?
So do we agree to fund them with the recommendation that they send reports?
Okay, all right.
Still, thank you.
Number 13 is the EDU -CAT charity.
They are requesting £10 ,000 to deliver a nine -month project, which would be a practical
course for 16 Wandsworth residents aged between 18 to 25 years with learning disabilities,
including autism, aspergers, mental health conditions or undiagnosed SEN, special educational
needs.
They would teach them about food origins, nutrition, budgeting and healthy cooking from
their site at Tuting Works.
Offices felt that the applicant had not clearly described how the project met the thematic
area.
There was a lack of clarity around the selection of participants.
The project appeared to be duplicating some of the work that Generate UK have been commissioned
to do by the council.
The applicant had not clearly demonstrated a strong track record of fundraising.
So the short -term nature of the project may impact the learners and also the lack of sustainability
might create, as I said, uncertainty for the learners.
But officers could link the organisation and regenerate to explore how they could maybe
look at some joint working or joint funding, some projects together.
So officers are minded not to support this at this time.
Anybody has anything to say, Madam?
So do we agree not to fund them?
Application 14 is from Voices of Hope and they're requesting £9 ,828 towards their Bright
Box project.
The Bright Box is a project which engages with key stage two primary school children
to encourage healthy eating and to teach nutritious cooking skills.
Children identified are provided with a weekly meal kit which has all the ingredients and
a child -friendly recipe for them to cook the recipe at home with their family.
Each box will give the child 36 meals over the course of a year.
And they're seeking to work with 24 new families from the Orton Primary School in Roehampton.
Who've been identified by the school as at risk of food insecurity or other vulnerabilities.
Officers are supportive of this project.
The application has clearly described how the project meets the health and well -being
thematic area and the principles of the Wants of a Local Health and Well -Being Strategy.
And it also supports the Wants of a Healthy Eating, Weight and Nutrition Plan and aligns
with the National Food Strategy.
The applicants clearly describe the need for the project.
And while this is an existing activity, so they are already running sessions within the
This is the first time the organisation has applied to the Wandsworth Grant Fund and
the funding requested is for a completely new cohort of children.
Therefore officers are minded at this time to support the organisation with the full
award of £9 ,828.
Yeah, it's a great project so we should support it.
Anybody else have anything to say?
So do we agree to support and agree?
The final project is the Wandsworth Bereavement Service,
and they're requesting 10 ,000 pounds
towards a structured programme of bereavement support
for Wandsworth residents through a combination of peer -led
and professionally facilitated clinical support groups.
They would look to hold these at community venues
in Battersea and Tooting.
They were able to support 100 to 120 individuals over the 12 month period and up to 240 attendances
at their peer led groups, which would have 160 to 180 individual participants.
Officers felt that the application was running in several wards and we only received one
Therefore, that was lacking within the application.
They were looking for funding to expand capacity of the bereavement services, and they hadn't
clearly demonstrated how the project provided additionality over their usual services.
And again, the existing activities are a lower priority for the fund.
It was also unclear if the services offered by the project would be supporting the beneficiaries
on their waiting list.
They talk about having a large waiting list, but then they also talk about recruitment
channels that they would use.
So it was unclear exactly how these people or who these people, they would serve through
the activities.
And also one -off or non -recurring staff costs or session fees are only funded in certain
limited circumstances where they're directly related to projects and the applicant states
that staff costs were enabled them to extend their hours and provide an expansion of current
services within the budget.
A large proportion, most of the costs were around staffing costs.
So it was felt on balance, taking that all into account, officers were not looking to
support at this moment in time.
Councillor Orop.
Yes, thank you.
So I would like to ask the committee to reconsider this.
I'm going through the points that are made, which are really valid points.
I think just to tackle a couple of them.
I think probably two ward councils is an oversight, and I'm sure there will be a number of councils who'd be willing to endorse this if we ask them to.
In terms of the expansion of capacity of their bereavement services,
Wandsworth Freedom of Service at the moment currently offers one -to -one work.
They do not do that much group work.
They have experiments in the past.
This would be an expansion into an area which is really needed.
Going back to the other point about unclear around the waiting list and recruiting, people
– not everybody likes one -to -one work.
Some people like group work.
Some people hate group work and prefer one -to -one.
So there will always be, so some people will transfer from a waiting list into group work.
And at the same time, having the opportunity of attending a group will be a new form of recruiting.
If it's not available, people aren't going to come forward to an organisation saying, actually I would like some group work.
The advantage of this as well is that it offers a combination of staff input,
as well as peer element, both of which are very valuable in terms of bereavement work.
So counsellors are very expensive, we know that.
Because not only it's their own costs, but there is the hidden costs behind the scene in terms of their clinical supervision that's needed and things like that.
So I think that the costs that are here are justified.
Maybe there could be some better clarity about how they actually are laid out and allocated.
But I think a project like this is really needed in Wandsworth.
As much as we also have an ageing population, we have a population that is experiencing
bereavement in many forms.
And unfortunately, death is part of our environment and part of our everyday lives.
And not everybody has the skills or abilities to cope with trauma and death in their lives.
And such a service like this is really valuable and really needed, as we've seen over the years.
They've also been flexible when we've had killings in the borough to be able to maximise their services and expand their services.
For example, in Tashafsby and Queenstown, when we had some murders in the area and
and take people on board really, really quickly.
So it's a very flexible organisation.
I think what they're doing is really good,
and it's providing, expanding a service
that I think there is a demand for.
Anybody has anything to say?
So do we agree with C -World?
Yeah, all right.
Yeah, so please do.
Yeah, that's fine.
We can work with that and go back to the group.
So that's the last paper for us.
That concludes the business of the committee.
Thank you for attending tonight's meeting.
And thank you to officers.
Thank you so much for your time.