Following a comprehensive review of the Healthy Living, Nutrition and Food Poverty Grant delivered by Middlesbrough Environment City (MEC) to ensure alignment with Council priorities and deliver best value, the delegated officer approves:
• Discontinuation of MEC funding beyond 31st March 2026.
• Notification to MEC that funding will not be granted after the
current term ends.
• Implementation of Option 3:
o Pause the grant to test and stimulate the market for a new
provider allowing opportunity for other VCSE organisations to
access grant funding and to contribute to local health outcomes.
o Strategic reset - an opportunity to pause and redesign the
delivery model to better align with Council Plan priorities (poverty
sprint, Healthy Weight Declaration, Good Food Local NE and PH
Strategic Plan).
o Interim capacity building offer to VCSE organisations to upskill
staff and volunteers in cooking, budgeting, and meal planning,
creating sustainable community-led interventions and developing
future potential providers.
The grant has been awarded to the same VCSE organisation for a significant number of years without market research or providing opportunities for other providers to bid, limiting opportunities and innovation in service delivery.
To ensure alignment with Council priorities and deliver best value, the delegated officer approves:
• Discontinuation of MEC funding beyond 31st March 2026.
• Notification to MEC that funding will not be granted after the current
term ends.
• Implementation of Option 3:
o Pause the grant to test and stimulate the market for a new
provider allowing opportunity for other VCSE organisations to
access grant funding and to contribute to local health outcomes.
o Strategic reset - an opportunity to pause and redesign the
delivery model to better align with Council Plan priorities (poverty
sprint, Healthy Weight Declaration, Good Food Local NE and PH
Strategic Plan).
o Interim capacity building offer to VCSE organisations to upskill
staff and volunteers in cooking, budgeting, and meal planning,
creating sustainable community-led interventions and developing
future potential providers.