Agenda item

Cabinet:

1. AGREED the joint approach of the report in developing the framework into a full strategy with the Voluntary and Community Sector

2. AGREED in principle, the use of funding held in reserve for the voluntary and community sector.  Each separate spend item to be agreed by the Lead Member for Community Safety and Public Protection through the executive decision process.

Councillor Viddy Persaud presented the report to Cabinet detailing the development of the Local Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS).

The Voluntary and Community Sector continue to face many challenges and opportunities. These are best approached by working collaboratively in a strong partnership.  The Voluntary and Community Strategic Framework 2019 – 2022 builds on the work of the Council’s Voluntary Sector Strategy 2015 – 2018 but seeks to take this work a stage further. The focus of this is very much on partnership and all sectors working for the common good.  The full framework was highlighted within Appendix 1 of the report.

The Framework is divided into three main tranches:

·     Building Communities

·     Building Partnerships

·     Building Resilience

The strategic framework sets an agenda for all sectors to work together to set joint actions and achieve positive outcomes. The draft has been developed jointly with Havering’s Compact. The draft strategic framework is cognisant of Havering’s new vision, ‘Cleaner, Safer, Prouder – Together’ and the initial action plan connects with the themes.

• Communities
• Places
• Connections
• Opportunities

The main problem Havering VCS faces is that regarding funding.  External funding is simply not enough and it represents figures drastically below the amounts and number of grants generated in Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham.  The proposed framework addresses the “Funding Gap”

To unlock the potential of the voluntary sector, it is vital that the Council is able to support the sector to access external funding. Therefore, it was proposed to Cabinet, to use the reward grant, held in reserve to support the development of the Sector.  This amounts to £152,586.  A number of initiatives have been highlighted.

There was concern that the grant had not been used to date and moving forward, it is important to ascertain why Havering has underperformed in this area. An action plan should be in place to ensure there is a wider consultation to stimulate ideas in order to develop and expand.

Councillor Damian White, the Leader of the Council added that Havering does have a very healthy voluntary sector, particularly in libraries providing an excellent service to residents. When at meetings of London Councils other boroughs express admiration for our voluntary services and are looking to emulate the model in Havering.  Focus now must be on continual improvement and confidence to ensure the voluntary sector is vibrant and thriving.

Cabinet:

1. AGREED the joint approach of the report in developing the framework into a full strategy with the Voluntary and Community Sector

2. AGREED in principle, the use of funding held in reserve for the voluntary and community sector.  Each separate spend item to be agreed by the Lead Member for Community Safety and Public Protection through the executive decision process.