Issue - meetings

To extend the Council’s funding of Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) for a further year and approve arrangements for agreeing a specification of service, pending a decision by West Sussex County Council on future funding for the service.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the existing funding provided by Chichester District Council for a support service for the voluntary and community sector in Chichester be extended, by allocating base budget funding of £44,000 to Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) for one year from 1 April 2016.

(2)  That a specification for expected outcomes of a support service for the voluntary and community sector be agreed by officers, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Services, once Partner funding is known.

(3)  That the Head of Community Services, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Services, be authorised to enter into a contract from WSCC for local provision of support for the voluntary and community sector, if it is offered.

Further to minute 527 of 7 January 2014, the Cabinet considered the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes).

Mrs Lintill introduced the report, reminding the Cabinet that, at the meeting on 11 March 2013, they had agreed to enter into an agreement with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) to receive their contributions to commission a support service for the voluntary and community sector for 2013/14 – 2015/16. Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) was now the local provider of this infrastructure support to the voluntary sector in the District, with a funding agreement in place until 31 March 2016. VAAC’s performance had been monitored by the Grants and Concessions Panel who were satisfied with it, and recommended extending the Council’s contribution for a further year.

Unfortunately, it was not yet known whether and to what extent WSCC would continue to fund the service in 2016/17, although it remained informally committed to continue funding, and Arun District Council was waiting for a decision from WSCC before committing their own funds. If this Council also waited for confirmation from the other two councils there was a risk that VAAC might incur staff losses, and be less able to supply an effective support service, which could result in more financial and other support being sought from the Council by voluntary and community organisations.

Clearly if the Council became the only funder of VAAC, or the other Councils reduced their contribution, the specification for service provided would need to be reviewed.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the existing funding provided by Chichester District Council for a support service for the voluntary and community sector in Chichester be extended, by allocating base budget funding of £44,000 to Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) for one year from 1 April 2016.

(2)  That a specification for expected outcomes of a support service for the voluntary and community sector be agreed by officers, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Services, once Partner funding is known.

(3)  That the Head of Community Services, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Services, be authorised to enter into a contract from WSCC for local provision of support for the voluntary and community sector, if it is offered.