Agenda item

(Prior to consideration of this item the co-Chair, Cllr Gill Mercer, left the meeting having declared an interest in this item)

The Panel received a report from the Assistant Director for Communities and Leisure that introduced the Council’s Communities Strategy and detailed the strategic investment made into the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE).

It was heard that the strategy before members had been coproduced with representatives from across the VCSE sector, with the report also setting out the proposed new VCSE strategic grants framework that covered a period of three-years from 1^st April 2024 and replaced the previous strategic grant arrangements which the Council had inherited from the former sovereign councils.

Members also received details of the proposed new VCSE Infrastructure support arrangements that would be tendered and contracted for across a three year period from 1^st September 2024.

It was reported that the operating landscape for the sector had altered dramatically across the preceding 18 month period, with the Executive approval to roll forward the inherited strategic grants to March 2024 providing the Council with sufficient time to engage and work collaboratively with the sector regarding its needs.

It was noted that although the strategic grant pot totalled £672,000, this was only an element of the funding committed by the Council to the voluntary sector, with the total investment being £1.8m for 2023/24.

It was heard that grant funding had been reviewed against the Council’s strategic priorities alongside heavy engagement with the sector. An event held in September 2023 had seen representatives from the sector attend and have open conversations regarding key priorities for funding and infrastructure arrangements, the requirement for capacity building to support funding bids, and leadership development. It was noted that the Council did not current operate a VCSE infrastructure contract and close engagement had been offered to assist the sector in being able to develop and become more sustainable thereby allowing organisation to carry out the work they were best at.

Details were provided to the meeting of the proposed new VCSE strategic grants framework for 2024-2027 with a focus on the following themes:

·     Core cost support to the Community Centres which were supported by the former sovereign Councils;

·     Financial Inclusion;

·     Community Transport;

·     Prevention of Social Isolation for Older People;

·     Community Mental Health and Wellbeing;

·     Increasing resilience in the VCSE to provide support for vulnerable residents, as identified through the new Support North Northants (SNN) service;

·     Promotion and Advocacy for Equalities

The Panel heard that the funding of community centres presented a challenge due to inconsistencies in legacy funding arrangements inherited. Discussions had been held with centres that received core funding support from the Council, with a view to developing sustainability and reducing reliance on this funding. It was noted that existing funding for community centres would remain the same for 2024/25 as in the current year but would be reviewed on an annual basis. It was heard that should communities wish to take on operation of community centres, conversation regarding support available could be brokered by the Council.

Details of the eight key themes of the strategy were introduced, six of which would form a significant part of the ask the Council would make of the future providers of the VCSE Infrastructure support contract, which would be tendered for delivery:

·       Capacity Building and back-office support for the VCSE*;

·       Funding Support for the VCSE*;

·       Co-ordination of VCSE involvement and leadership for the Integrated Care System and the Place Programme*;

·       Developing mutually beneficial relationships*;

·       Co-ordination and promotion of best practice across the VCSE*;

·       Volunteering support, promotion and best practice*;

·       Supporting communities to take on  assets and services where appropriate to do so;

·       Delivery of the VCSE grants programme

Members noted the return on investment into the voluntary sector and welcomed the closer working between the Council and the sector.

Cllr John McGhee noted that the strategy lacked mention of Family Hubs and sought an update in this regard. Cllr McGhee also referenced community centres with regard to future funding and the need to make lesser centres more successful as well as a lack of detail within the strategy regarding support for left behind areas.

In response it was noted that a piece of work as required to review to delivery of community centres with a view towards harmonisation. It was heard that a report would be tabled at Executive the following week providing an update in regard to Levelling-Up progress within left behind areas as this formed a separate strand outside this strategy before the Panel. With regard to Family Hubs it was heard that this strategic change had seen voluntary sector involvement and reference would be made within the strategy to this.

Cllr McGhee raised the issue of community assets and the complexity of the processes involved in communities and organisations taking these on and the need for support to help navigate this area.

Cllr Geoff Shacklock noted that the rural community was heavily reliant on Volunteer Action, a community transport scheme and sought assurances that funding would not be removed or reduced for this service. In response it was heard that community transport was a key priority with existing funding allocations set to continue to March 2024, with future allocations under discussion and organisations able to bid for funding.

Debate concluded with reference to the Community Wellbeing Forums and multi-organisational partnerships that considered community priorities and engagement. Discussion regarding funding opportunities for Local Area Partnerships was also referenced.