Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

CABINET/LEADER

PART II

REVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH VOLUNTARY

AND COMMUNITY SECTOR

1. The County Council recognises the value of working with voluntary and community organisations (VCS or the Third Sector) and the contribution that they make in helping the County Council deliver its aims and objectives. The role of the County Council in supporting and helping to build capacity in the sector is essential in providing an environment for a thriving Third Sector, one of the targets set within the Local Area Agreement (LAA). Third sector organisations undertake a wide variety of tasks and functions and cover a full cross section of society. Their impact is varied and they are well placed to reach out to diverse communities, thereby enhancing community cohesion.

2. The County Council has been developing its relationship with the Third Sector over a number of years. In 2002 there was a best value review which focussed mainly on the grant giving process and resulted in a number of actions to improve. The Compact was agreed and signed by the Leader in 2001 and since then a number of good practice codes have also been developed and agreed.

3. At its meeting on 23 February 2009, Cabinet received a report updating on progress and outcomes of the review of the County Council's relationship with voluntary and community organisations. Cabinet welcomed the confirmation that grants made by the County Council contribute significantly to the wellbeing of Hampshire residents and that the aims and objectives of each of the voluntary organisations are very much aligned to the corporate objectives of the County Council. Cabinet further noted the VCS representation on the Hampshire Senate and Local Area Agreement Executive and that Priority H of the Local Agreement (LAA) is led by Community Action Hampshire.

4. Cabinet were advised that discussions on the development of a strategy for working with the sector are underway. The strategy aims to set out a clear framework for the relationship that will identify clear, measurable outcomes. Key features of the strategy will be:

· Clarification of the different and mutual roles in the community

· Identifying ways to further enable the sector to become an effective partner and how best to help deliver the aims of the County Council, the Sustainable Community Strategy and Local Area Agreement

· To ensure transparency of funding and value for money

· To develop the Third Sector's contribution to the Council's performance and efficiency

· Responding to changes in national policy including a review of the Compact process.

5. Cabinet formally acknowledged the work undertaken by the committed, but often unpaid, volunteers working on behalf of VCS groups and the collective appreciation of Cabinet members was recorded. The financial contribution that the County Council makes to the Voluntary & Community sector is, however, considerable and in 2007/08 the total spend across all departments was £92,199,800. This equates to £6,622,187 in grant aid and £85,000,000 through tendered contracts. To that end, Cabinet requested that Policy & Resources and/or the appropriate Select Committee(s) be asked to scrutinise the value for money provided by voluntary and community organisations with the results being reported back in due course.

6. Copies of the report considered by Cabinet can be accessed at (/decisions/decisions-index/index-docs-7010)