Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Yasseen

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

Recommendations:

1.    That the activities and outcomes of the review into voluntary and community sector infrastructure services be noted. 

2.    That approval be given to the start of the grant bidding process and to the appointment of a lead provider for voluntary and community sector infrastructure services delivery; with a grant funding agreement  to be in place for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021 with a three year value of £560,578. 

3.    That within the generality of infrastructure services, umbrella support and communications, the grant funding agreement be to prioritise the following activity:

a)    Supporting the move to North, South and Central community based working and the evolving council approach to neighbourhood working by providing capacity building support to current, new and emerging community and voluntary sector organisations based in the areas across the borough;

b)    Supporting the development of active citizenship by helping to build social capital in communities through volunteering (both informal and formal);

c)    Encouraging greater participation of the VCS at both strategic and operational level across networks and partnerships in the borough;

d)    Providing the support and development opportunities for individuals working in the voluntary and community sectors to participate in policy development and partnership working with the Council and other local partners;

e)    Providing external funding support to community and voluntary sector organisations, achieving increased external funding into the borough; and

f)     Promoting equalities and tackling inequalities, including building stronger communities through helping different communities to work together (particularly those facing social exclusion) to foster community cohesion.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed how infrastructure services provided support that helped voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations across the borough to become more effective and sustainable.

Active and vibrant community groups and voluntary organisations were the backbone of local communities and work collaboratively with residents and with the Council to make a positive difference. The Council’s funding for infrastructure support meant that local groups and organisations could access capacity building support and be part of a Rotherham-wide network.  

Community and voluntary organisations have an important role in helping to build resilient communities across the borough and in supporting residents - particularly the most vulnerable.

The current infrastructure services were provided by Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) with the engagement of Rotherham Ethnic Minority Alliance (REMA). The current arrangements ran until the end of March 2018.

As part of considering arrangements for the next three years, a review into the infrastructure support needs of the VCS in Rotherham had been completed. The purpose of this review was to assess the effectiveness of the existing service and to identify future needs. The outcome of this was the recommended continuation of infrastructure support (in line with the commitments of the Rotherham Compact), with a priority focus on activity and support aligned to communities and neighbourhoods as set out in the Council and Rotherham plans.

The next stage in the process was to invite bids for there to be a lead infrastructure organisation to work with the Council to develop full proposals and then lead the delivery over the next three years.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-scrutiny process who were in support of the recommendations, subject to there being greater clarity on the outcomes arising from the activity (as outlined in Recommendation 1.3) to ensure that value for money was achieved on the Council’s investment.

Resolved:-  (1)   That the activities and outcomes of the review into voluntary and community sector infrastructure services be noted. 

(2)  That the start of the grant bidding process and to the appointment of a lead provider for voluntary and community sector infrastructure services delivery; with a grant funding agreement  to be in place for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2021 with a three year value of £560,578 be approved. 

(3)  That within the generality of infrastructure services, umbrella support and communications, the grant funding agreement be to prioritise the following activity:-

a)          Supporting the move to North, South and Central community based working and the evolving Council approach to neighbourhood working by providing capacity building support to current, new and emerging community and voluntary sector organisations based in the areas across the borough;

b)          Supporting the development of active citizenship by helping to build social capital in communities through volunteering (both informal and formal);

c)          Encouraging greater participation of the VCS at both strategic and operational level across networks and partnerships in the borough;

d)          Providing the support and development opportunities for individuals working in the voluntary and community sectors to participate in policy development and partnership working with the Council and other local partners;

e)          Providing external funding support to community and voluntary sector organisations, achieving increased external funding into the borough; and

f)            Promoting equalities and tackling inequalities, including building stronger communities through helping different communities to work together (particularly those facing social exclusion) to foster community cohesion.

(4)  That there be greater clarity on the outcomes arising from the activity (as outlined in Recommendation 1.3) to ensure that value for money is achieved on the Council’s investment.