Cross-borough community engagement fund

Report: 7
Date: 12 February 2009
By: Head of Engagement & Partnerships on behalf of the Chief Executive

Summary

This report outlines the assessment and monitoring process for the cross-borough community engagement fund and seeks member approval for the final allocations.

A. Recommendation

That

1. members note the assessment and monitoring arrangements for the cross-borough fund and approve allocations as set out in Appendix 2.

B. Supporting information

1. The cross-borough community engagement fund was established in 2008, with the aim of encouraging improved levels of collaboration between groups in addressing policing and community safety issues that cut across borough boundaries. It was further intended that this funding would enable the Authority to support groups in developing proactive innovative approaches to community engagement issues, and also benefit their communities through an increased sharing of best practice.

2. The cross-borough fund was devised prior to the development of the MPA’s strategic framework, which is still ongoing, but its objectives are still relevant to the key strategic outcomes of reducing crime and criminality, increasing confidence in policing and delivering better value for money through both the variety of activities included amongst the bids and by supporting the development of pilot projects that could then be replicated in other boroughs.

3. In December 2008 information on the cross-borough community engagement fund was sent to all community police engagement groups (CPEGs). They were invited to either submit applications on their own behalf or to facilitate applications from other groups aiming to provide cross-borough community engagement activities locally. Applicants were asked to address four broad criteria as detailed in Appendix 1. In addition, applications were limited to a maximum of £5,000 per borough included in the proposal up to a project maximum of £20,000.

4. In total 15 applications were received spanning 18 boroughs from across London and seeking in excess of £172,000, ranging from as little as £1,200 to £20,000, against a total budget of £100,000 (see Appendix 2). The assessment process was based on that endorsed by the Community Engagement and Citizen Focus Group [1] for the community engagement innovations fund. 3 MPA officers [2] assessed all bids against the four criteria, which were weighted as detailed in Appendix 1. Each weighted criterion could then be scored from zero to five to give a total maximum score of 55 points.

5. Given that the maximum total score possible was 55 points, any projects that scored less than 20 were disqualified. On this basis, eight projects qualified for funding and these are detailed in Appendix 2. Once the grant is awarded, successful applicants will be required to sign a short agreement, which will detail the arrangements for payment, project monitoring and evaluation (see Appendix 3). This will be based upon the measurable outputs identified in the original applications and any further outputs negotiated with the assessment panel, particularly in relation to the race and equality impact considerations.

6. There were a number of projects that did not qualify through this process, but which the assessment panel felt had considerable potential. This being the case, officers will be making contact with some of these groups to offer support in developing these ideas further.

C. Race and equality impact

1. The Authority recognises the need for better and increased engagement with under-represented groups across London. One of the criteria against which all applications were assessed was the degree to which the project proposal sought to engage with under-represented groups. In addition, the criterion for projects to seek to develop initiatives focusing on the needs of communities, which do not necessarily fit in with the demographic concept of borough boundaries, provided further opportunity to target under-represented groups whose affiliations can cross such boundaries. As such, the cross-borough community engagement fund provides an opportunity for positive impact on under-represented groups.

2. However, in conducting the assessments the potential for negative impact was also identified in some projects. For example, a number of projects were focussed on sporting activities, such as football and boxing, which are traditionally associated with men. In another case a particular project sought to provide after school activities for young victims of crime, which would not appear to present any negative impact in itself. However, the assessors identified the potential for the planned activities to be exclusive to some groups, such as young Asian women, because of the environment in which the project was to be delivered. Where such potential negative impact was identified, the issues of concern were discussed directly with the applicants to either develop a better understanding as to why the negative impact was appropriate in the given circumstances or to provide advice as to how that negative impact might be mitigated by the project organisers.

D. Financial implications

In total £98 500 has been allocated to cross-borough projects and this is contained within existing budgets. The financial management of the successful projects will be reviewed as part of the overall monitoring regime to ensure that the allocated funds are used appropriately.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author(s): Natasha Plummer, Engagement & Partnerships Manager, MPA

For information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

Applicants were asked to address four broad criteria

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