Agenda item

To receive a report on the Council’s work with the Voluntary and Community Sector.

Councillor Knight, Lead Member for Community Safety and Engagement and Councillor Tatler, Lead Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning introduced a report on the Council’s model of collaboration with the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), key activity including the commissioning programme and grant-making and the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL).

The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the updates provided, which

focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·         In response to a question regarding the model of collaboration, it was noted that there were two key elements – the strategic group and the thematic groups that feed into the strategic group.

·         It was noted that CVS Brent currently delivered Brent’s infrastructure provision which included training, governance advice, governance support and assistance.

·         Regarding the management of council contracts with VCS organisations, it was noted that there was a dedicated contract management team which monitored the performance of contracts. The team met regularly with those organisations to review performance.

·         It was noted that each thematic group encouraged organisations working on similar issues or with similar client groups to share information, find areas of common ground and identify areas for joint action. This approach had proved particularly successful during the pandemic where partnership working was key to ensuring successful delivery. Whilst the model of collaboration was not focused on holding organisations to account, the thematic groups would be accountable to the Voluntary Sector Forum which met three times per year.

·         In response to a question regarding how CVS Brent worked with small organisations, it was noted that it had an outreach model which sought to promote the services it provided and raise its profile with an aim to engaging with organisations across the borough. Once initial contact had been made with an organisation, they would be signposted to a thematic lead who would follow up with a series of conversations.

·         It was noted that each thematic group provided the basis for more effective development of consortium arrangements, in ways more likely to be an attractive proposition to external funders and able to make stronger, joined-up bids for the funds they provide.

·         Regarding applications for NCIL funding, it was noted all successful applications were listed on the Council’s website. An application must meet a number of essential criteria before being funded. The latest NCIL round closed on 3 May 2021, focusing on recovery, the response to the pandemic and climate change. There were around 70 applications and the successful projects would be announced at the end of June.

·         In response to a question regarding the accessibility of the NCIL application process, it was noted that CVS Brent worked with local organisations to support their applications. It was considering the ways in which it could upskill the VCS to allow them to apply for funding easily, such as training and advice and guidance.

·         It was noted that the pandemic had given rise to more flexibility in how training was offered to VSC organisations. More training could now be offered online, and evening and weekend sessions would soon be offered.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the following areas for improvement be noted;

          (i).        To consider the Chairs of the thematic group being rotated on a regular basis.

         (ii).        The commissioner to consider widening the scope of CVS Brent service delivery to include evening delivery.

2.    The Committee made the following information requests;

          (i).        To provide examples of the types of organisations using CVS Brent.

         (ii).        To provide a timescale for accountability and outcome measures for CVS Brent.

        (iii).        To provide details on how a new organisation would interact with CVS Brent.

       (iv).        To provide the number of Council contracts awarded to VSC over the last three years.

         (v).        To provide a view on how many community and voluntary organisations are at risk of closure following the pandemic.