Recurring funding agreements with voluntary organisations
Separate to the grants pot, the Panel monitors the performance of four key voluntary sector organisations. The Panel is asked to note the attached summary reports.
Decision:
Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA):
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:
That the performance of ACCA under their joint Funding Agreement during 2018/19 be noted.
Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC):
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:
That the performance of Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester in discharging the Funding Agreement for 2018/19 be noted.
Shopmobility (Chichester) – a service provided by Community First HEH (CF):
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:
Stonepillow:
Mrs Apel declared a personal interest as a trustee of Stonepillow and withdrew from the room when this item was discussed.
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:
Minutes:
Miss Williams explained that the work undertaken by Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA) had been of a good standard and provided a broad range of useful services particularly with regards to the recent issues around universal credits, and housing, debts and employment. The service continues to be busy and efficient.
The Panel agreed to provide funding for 2019/20.
Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA):
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:
That the performance of ACCA under their joint Funding Agreement during 2018/19 be noted.
Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC):
Miss Williams explained that Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC) provide support to small voluntary groups and the feedback from the groups is good. VAAC have recently introduced a new website and are currently in the process of recruiting a new Chief Executive.
The Panel agreed to provide funding to VAAC for 2019/20.
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:
That the performance of Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester in discharging the Funding Agreement for 2018/19 be noted.
Shopmobility (Chichester) – a service provided by Community First HEH (CF):
Miss Williams explained the Shopmobility service provided by Community First HEH (CF) has adapted well to financial constraints having merged with other organisations to gain greater scale and now operate three Shopmobility services. The service in Chichester has trialled a reduced Saturday service which was identified as the least used day, and reduced to 70 days of operation across the year to which the organisation believed the clients would adapt, which appears to have been correct prediction. The service has also operated services for commercial events as at Goodwood, which has provided another income stream and this has been invested in the car park service.
The Panel agreed to release the tranche for year two of the two-year funding agreement.
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES:
Stonepillow:
Mrs Apel declared a personal interest as a trustee of Stonepillow and withdrew from the room when this item was discussed.
Miss Williams explained that Stonepillow have renamed the Old Glassworks which is now ‘The Hub’ providing services for clients who are homeless or do not have stable housing. The charity is due to have significant cuts in their funding from WSCC and the new CEO has begun work on a strategy which will now take this reduction in funding into account. The charity does operate a social enterprise which sells furniture, receives housing benefit via their ‘Move on’ accommodation, plus funding from trusts and donations.
The Panel agreed to release the tranche for year two of the three-year funding agreement.
RECOMMENDED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITIES: