Agenda item

Rafiq Chohan, Assistant Director, Economic Development and Inclusion, outlined a report, setting out the Draft Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Funding Policy for all future commissioning and grants funding by Slough Borough Council to the voluntary and community sector.   

The Committee was invited to scrutinise the policy and make suggestions for  amendment prior to the report being presented to Cabinet on 13th December.  The report also recommended that existing funding arrangements be  terminated at the earliest possible date.  The Policy had resulted from a strategic review of all the Council’s funding, commissioning and support arrangements with the local voluntary and community sector. This included  an extensive council –wide mapping exercise providing information on all grants and contracts provided by the council, and related support and monitoring arrangements.  The Committee noted that a consultation was carried out with the voluntary and community sector and was sent to 350 organisations based or working in Slough. 

The Officer discussed key issues identified by the voluntary and community sectors and the key aims of the policy including the strengthening of partnership working between the Council and VCS.  It was noted that financial restrictions would require the Council to seek a closer alignment of activities  funded through VCS organisations with the Sustainable Community Strategy and that opportunities would become available to VCS organisations with the adoption by the Council of a corporate approach to commissioning (the Strategic Commissioning Framework). 

  The Committee noted that the Policy was presented to the Voluntary Sector Members Panel on 21 September, 2010 and had been welcomed but the concern was expressed that sufficient time should be given to the VCS organisations during the transition stage from grants to grants/commissioning.

A number of comments/questions were raised in the ensuing debate including the following(responses in italics):

• It was felt that there were a number of bogus organisations in the town and these should be checked out. Also Members should receive a regular update on the allocation of funds.

The Officer advised that he would continue to regularly monitor the situation.

• Funding had been removed from the Britwell Youth Project and it was felt that this was an appalling situation.

The Officer advised that there had been a small grants budget designed for such organisation but this was then removed.

• It was felt that the Council’s commitment to the Voluntary Sector was important and it was essential that they were helped to become more self sufficient.

·  What checks were made when grants were applied for?

The background of the organisation was looked at and monitoring was carried out but this was proportionate to the amount of money that was given.

·  Was the Council rising to the challenge and would local needs be met?

The Council was attempting to do this but 25% of funding had been lost and the capacity to assist had therefore diminished.

The Committee requested that an update report be provided in three months time.

Resolved  -  That the report be noted and that an update be provided in March 2011.