Decision details

Decision to extend the Stronger Families programme from 1^st December 2021 up to June 2023, including the receipt of grant funding from the Big Lottery’s Building Better Communities community fund and the extension of partnership agreements with delivery partners.

The decision taken is to:

1. Approve receipt of the grant funding from European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) and National Lottery Community Fund and to approve expenditure by the Council as Lead Partner for the Stronger Families Programme totalling £2,414,658 for the maximum extended period 1st October 2021 to June 2023.

2. Agree to extend the existing partnership agreements with partner organisations listed in appendix 1 funds totalling approximately £2,368,779 on a grants basis to deliver the programme. This may include the peer mentoring provision with The Bridge Project. Approval is also sought to vary the partnership agreements to reflect the new targets and commitments in line with the proposed extension requirements of the funders.

3. Provide approval to undertake a competitive grant process with existing partners for two grants and award as a result of the competitive exercise. Both grants will be for key work provision:

• a) One grant will be to continue the provision currently delivered by a partner who does not wish to continue with the extension (as detailed in section 3.1.6). The value of this will be £29,878.
• b) If needed one grant will be for a partner to employ an additional key worker to help the programme achieve the targets imposed by the funders. The value of this may be up to £51,500.

Regular meetings are taking place with all partners involved in the programme across Leeds and Bradford to plan for and implement the extension.

The partnership consists of:

Barnardo’s; Brathay; Himmat; JAMES; The Bridge; Prospects; Barca-Leeds; Health for All; Humankind; Learning Partnerships; Better Leeds Communities; Community Links; EASA; Home-Start Bradford; Karmand – Bradford; and Touchstone.