[WiLT] LDA inquiry publishes initial findings - and asks why LDA and GLA gives grants when there are alternatives

[WiL Admin]

LDA inquiry publishes initial findings

Grants to London's voluntary and community groups may be cut as a
result of reforms imposed by new mayor Boris Johnson.

An initial report by the forensic audit panel, convened by Mr Johnson
a week after taking office, said with so many alternative grant giving
bodies in the capital questions had to be asked about why the London
Development Agency (LDA) and Greater London Authority (GLA) were
offering funding - sometimes to the same projects.

'We are looking at the scope for rationalisation,' it said.

The panel has criticised the LDA for measuring its success on the
amount of money spent on projects rather than what they achieved.

In future, it said, the LDA should be expected to pay closer attention
to monitoring outcomes and extracting lessons for future work.

Several projects are being investigated to determine how they were
assessed for grants and how they were monitored and evaluated.

The panel is also looking into whether Ken Livingstone's advisers
exerted pressure on the LDA to take various decisions.

As a result of the process both the LDA and GLA will be trimmed down -
duplicated GLA functions will be cut and LDA offices in Beijing,
Shanghai, Delhi and Mumbai may be closed, the panel said.

Following an efficiency review less GLA money is also likely to be
spent on consultants.

The relationship between the two organisations will be made more
transparent and the governance structures reviewed.

http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news/article/grants-probe-likely-to-rein-in-lda-and-gla-duplication

To download the interim report go to
http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor/value-for-money/forensic-audit.jsp