National Lottery Charities Board Corporate Office

Policy

The corporate Policy team reports to Gerald Oppenheim, Director for UK and Corporate Planning. Policy is headed by Mark Wardman, and there are two Policy Officers, a Research and Publications Officer and an administrator in the team.

The role of Policy is to work with policy officers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and Regional Development Officers in the England regions to develop the Board�s grant-making policies and programmes. It has the overall responsibility of reporting new initiatives to Management Team and the Board.

The policy team prepares the Charities Board�s overall Strategic plan and puts together the Board�s corporate operational plan. It brings together needs identified by the countries and regions in consultation with the voluntary sector.

Working with other policy and operational colleagues, the team reviews the Board�s existing policies, such as the decision to allow applications from branch organisations, and ensure that all staff and applicants are briefed on changes and developments.

The team has a key role in providing advice on questions which are raised by charities, voluntary organisations and staff. It advises staff on eligibility, constitutions and rules and seeks legal advice for the Board when needed.

Policy provides overall guidance on monitoring and evaluation and is considering how the Board can evaluate the grants it has made. The team is also looking at research projects that the Board itself commissions, such as the �cohort study� which is looking at the effect of large grants on small organisations. It also offers a comprehensive overview of the consultation process that the Board has with the voluntary sector.