Issue - meetings

The report sets out the findings from phases 1 & 2 of the review of Brent’s voluntary & community sector (VCS) needs as well as proposals for a new model for working with and supporting the voluntary and community sector as informed by the review of needs 2018 and the recent budget reductions agreed at Full Council for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 budgets.

RESOLVED:

      i.        Cabinet approved the development of a new bespoke voluntary & community sector model as part of the overall strategy of Building a Better Brent

    ii.        Cabinet approved conducting an options appraisal to identify the most suitable framework to deliver the VCS model to include:

·         Continue the current arrangement – Further extend the existing conditional grant with CVS Brent or enter into a similar contract with another VCS

·         Commissioned Partnership – Commission a consortium of organisations – similar to the Brent Advice Partnership (BAP) arrangement

·         Cooperative model – Increased collaboration between the council and the VCS including greater involvement of the VCS in strategic decision making and commissioning

·         Community Interest Company (CIC) - Establish a CIC to provide infrastructure support and deliver the VSIF and quality assurance programme

   iii.        Cabinet approved an extension of up to one-year year to the Voluntary Sector Initiative Fund (VSIF) Infrastructure Grant to CVS Brent in the sum of £120K (pro-rata) for up to 12 months from 22 April 2019-31March 2020 to provide services during the options appraisal and the transfer of responsibility to the new framework

RESOLVED:

      i.        Cabinet approved the development of a new bespoke voluntary & community sector model as part of the overall strategy of Building a Better Brent

    ii.        Cabinet approved conducting an options appraisal to identify the most suitable framework to deliver the VCS model to include:

·         Continue the current arrangement – Further extend the existing conditional grant with CVS Brent or enter into a similar contract with another VCS

·         Commissioned Partnership – Commission a consortium of organisations – similar to the Brent Advice Partnership (BAP) arrangement

·         Cooperative model – Increased collaboration between the council and the VCS including greater involvement of the VCS in strategic decision making and commissioning

·         Community Interest Company (CIC) - Establish a CIC to provide infrastructure support and deliver the VSIF and quality assurance programme

   iii.        Cabinet approved an extension of up to one-year year to the Voluntary Sector Initiative Fund (VSIF) Infrastructure Grant to CVS Brent in the sum of £120K (pro-rata) for up to 12 months from 22 April 2019-31March 2020 to provide services during the options appraisal and the transfer of responsibility to the new framework