Agenda item

To consider the Haringey Voluntary Sector Strategy and the Voluntary Sector Funding Framework.

RECEIVED Haringey’s Voluntary Sector Strategy 2011-2016 and Voluntary Sector  Funding Framework, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services as laid out in the report (Pages 45 – 109 of the agenda pack).  The strategy was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Council and the Voluntary Sector to ensure better outcomes for Haringey residents.

NOTED in response to questions and discussion:

• The Cabinet Member acknowledged the Committee’s concerns about access to community buildings by voluntary sector organisations.  Where organisations occupied Council owned community buildings, their usage should be maximised for community benefit.  Concerns from groups would need to be fed into the property review, which was currently taking place.
• The Committee was reminded that the Procurement Strategy specifically encouraged the role of the voluntary sector in bidding for commissioned services and allows for Haringey to support capacity building and bidding activities.
• It was generally recognised that the Council would need to support voluntary organisations, particularly the smaller groups, to apply for funding and to develop their services and help them run at lower costs.  Work was being done to identify what support the voluntary sector currently accessed.
• Out of 1600 different voluntary organisations 35 were core funded by Haringey and some of these organisations had been receiving this funding for many years. The new strategy will open up access to Council funding to a wider range of organisations.
• A committee member expressed that they felt the definition of “voluntary sector” in the Strategy (page 59 of the agenda pack, page 7 of the Strategy) was vague and recommended that in order to get funding from the Council organisations should have firm governance arrangements in place.  The Cabinet Member explained that in order to gain funding organisations (large and small) would need to meet strict criteria and demonstrate clear accountability and would be monitored by a clear set of rules. 
• A member commented that there was a lack of member involvement in the Grants Committee and grants decision making.  It was suggested that smaller organisations be encouraged to join together to reduce duplication in order to fully benefit from funding and, that small grants for local services be filtered through the Area Committees. The Cabinet Member agreed that, where possible, the commissioning of local services was preferred.  It was suggested that all voluntary organisations be treated in the same way as commercial enterprises which used competitive tendering but this was not supported by other committee members.
• HAVCO (independent council for voluntary service in Haringey) was recognised as a support mechanism for smaller groups.  A member commented that the strategy should highlight that feedback on the funding process was welcomed and groups would not be penalised for giving negative feedback.  The Cabinet member explained that  HAVCO’s role included monitoring the Council’s commissioning process.
• The Cabinet Member agreed with the Committee in that when filtering applications for grants the main consideration should be the service being commissioned rather than the ability of the organisation to produce a good application/ tender document.
• The Committee asked for details of any other local authorities that had moved to commissioning grants rather than core grants.  (Action No. 85.1).

RESOLVED

i.          That the following recommendations be incorporated into Haringey’s Voluntary Sector Strategy and Voluntary Sector Commissioning and Funding Framework:

a.   A group of Non Executive members and relevant cabinet members be invited to take part in the decision making for the allocation of funding.

b.   The area committees have a role in allocating smaller amounts of funding to local organisations.

c.      Voluntary groups and organisations be assisted in applying for tenders and supported in capacity building to enable their transition into larger organisations.

d.      Locally based groups be prioritised for small grant allocation.

e.   That the types of voluntary organisations eligible for funding on page 7 of the strategy be clearly defined.

f.    Details about how organisations can feedback to the Council (for example via HAVCO) on the funding process without it prejudicing their applications be included in the Strategy.

g.   A statement on how the Council supports an independent organisation (such as HAVCO) to assist voluntary groups with bidding for funding be included in the Strategy.

ii.         The Committee details of any other local authorities that had moved to commissioning grants rather than core grants be provided to the Committee. (Action No. 85.1)