24 November 1998

National Lottery Charities Board holds open meeting

Today the National Lottery Charities Board held its first ever Open Meeting at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.

David Sieff, Chairman of the Charities Board, told representatives from the voluntary sector, the Press and members of the public that the meeting furthered the aims of the Board to be open, transparent and accessible. On behalf of the Board, he welcomed moves towards making more information publicly available and highlighted a number of steps already undertaken by the Board, including feedback to unsuccessful applicants. All are given general reasons and pilot schemes are now in place in Scotland and the North East of England giving more detailed feedback.

The meeting discussed the Board’s consultation with charities, voluntary organisations, local authorities, other funders, umbrella groups, Government Departments and the wider public. The results of this consultation will be incorporated in the Board’s Strategic Plan, which is to be presented to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in Spring 1999.

The meeting also highlighted the Board’s 1997/98 Annual Report. Timothy Hornsby, the Board’s Chief Executive, outlined significant milestones in the Board’s work during the period covered by the Report.

• May 1997 - Awards totalling £25 million made under the first International grants programme, for UK-based organisations working abroad.
• August and September 1997 - Grants totalling £170 million awarded under the New Opportunities and choices and Voluntary sector development programme - the first programme where applications were considered in-house.
• January 1998 - Introduction of the first continuous grants programme - Community Involvement - with broad themes and no closing date for applications. This is now running alongside the Poverty and disadvantage programme, launched earlier this month, with one application pack for both programmes.
• February 1998 - Launch of the first separate research programme specifically aimed at groups doing research on health and social issues. Awards will be announced in Spring 1999.
• March 1998 - Appointment of Independent Complaints Reviewer to respond to applicants who are not satisfied with the Board’s internal handling of a complaint.
• Spring 1998 - Launch of Awards for All - an unique small grants scheme developed in co-operation with the other Lottery distributors. The programme was piloted in Scotland and on 18 November 1998 was extended to the East Midlands, with a view to roll out in England in Spring 1999.

David Sieff, in his speech at the meeting, said: "The National Lottery Act 1998 gives us opportunities to change the way we work. Perhaps the most important of these is the power to delegate decision-making and the power to solicit applications. We will look carefully at ways of using new powers to make our grant-making more targeted and efficient to help those at greatest disadvantage. "

Media Enquiries: Paul Hensby, Director of Communications, 0171-747-5227 or email.

Notes to Editors

1. The National Lottery Charities Board distributes money raised by the Lottery to charities and voluntary and community groups. The Board gives grants to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society and to improve the quality of life in the community.
2. The Board receives 16.66% of the Lottery money allocated to the ‘good causes’. It has awarded over £930 million to some 16,600 charities and voluntary groups since 1995.
3. The Charities Board is the largest general purpose grant maker in the UK. It distributes between £250 million to £300 million each year.
4. A leaflet - Our grants programmes - outlining current grants programmes is available by calling 0345 919191.
5. A copy of the Annual Report is available from the National Lottery Charities Board Press Office on 0171 -747 5226.
6. The National Lottery Charities Board consults on an ongoing basis with the voluntary sector, including surveys, seminars and focus groups.