Governance

At the London Leaders' Committee of 14 December 2010 a number of decisions were agreed on the future of Capital Ambition in terms of governance, decision making and the use of remaining funds.

This note summarises those decisions and provides advice to projects in the process of seeking funds and those projects who may potentially seek future funding.

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Governance and decision making

A new Capital Ambition Board has been in operation since February 2011. The new Board comprises five elected members who will be advised by three Chief Executives, two nominees from the Greater London Authority, a representative from the Local Government Group and a nominee from the Society of London Treasurers.

The Board is the sole decision making authority for remaining funds. The Shared Services and Joint Procurement Board continues to support and advise the Board, with a role in the assurance process.

The present Self Regulation Board oversees the work on performance and improvement, and accounts to the Chief Executives London Committee.

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Use of remaining funds

The Leaders' Committee agreed to offer £100,000 capital funding to each member local authority, to be used for improvement and efficiency work. During 2011-12, member authorities in receipt of the funding will need to provide an account of how the funds have been used in accordance with the broad requirement of the funding.

Any remaining funds will be prioritised against projects which fulfil the following high level criteria:

• Enhance collaborative procurement
• Develop shared services
• Support service redesign or significantly improve productivity
• Address workforce planning and productivity
• Support major policy programmes

It is anticipated that any remaining funds will be allocated directly to commissioned work where there is an intention to develop a wider collaboration, with the possibility of further funding round, although this will be a decision for the Capital Ambition Board.

The new Board is also considering the options of different models for Capital Ambition in the future. This is to explore the potential of exploiting any remaining funds for a continued benefit to London authorities. It is recognised that any such model will need to be considered carefully before any prospect of implementation.

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Projects in receipt of funding

The above does not affect projects in receipt of funding other than the need to account to a different governance structure in terms of the use of the allocated funds. Those projects ending within the present financial year will be required to account for the projected delivery of outputs and outcomes for which funding was obtained.

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Projects that have applied for funding

The Shared Services and Joint Procurement Board will continue to assess existing applications for assurance purposes. The Capital Ambition Board will then make final decisions on funding. Projects that have already been to the SSJP will be taken to the first meeting of the Capital Ambition Board to agree a decision on funding.

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New project funding

The fund is now closed to new funding applications. For any questions on the above in the first instance please contact the Capital Ambition programme office on 020 7934 9968.