Agenda item

Recurring funding agreements with voluntary organisations

Separate to the grants pot, the Panel monitors the performance of four key voluntary sector organisations. These agreements are funded from base budget and delegated to the Head of Community Services. The Panel is asked to note the attached summary reports.

Decision:

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 HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of Stonepillow in discharging the Funding Agreement during 2017/18 be noted
  2. That funding for year two of the three year agreement be released in April 2018

 

Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA):

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of ACCA under their joint Funding Agreement during 2017/18 be noted
  2. That funding for 2018/19 be released in line with Cabinet recommendations

 

Shopmobility (Chichester) – a service provided by Community First Wessex (CF):

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of Shopmobility (Chichester) in discharging the Funding Agreement for 2017/18 be noted
  2. That funding be approved at the same level for a further two years

 

Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC):

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester in discharging the Funding Agreement for 2017/18 be noted
  2. That a response is sent to West Sussex County Council’s (WSCC) letter requesting extension of current funding contract for 2018, accepting an additional year
  3. That funding for 2018/19 be released including the transfer to VAAC of WSCC funds once received (in line with the contract between Chichester District Council and WSCC)

Minutes:

Miss Williams explained that separate to the grants pot, the Panel is asked to monitor the performance of four key voluntary sector organisations. These Agreements are funded from base budget and delegated to the Head of Community Service. The Panel discussed detailed officer reports on each of the four organisations.

 

Stonepillow:

 

Mrs Apel declared a personal interest as a trustee of Stonepillow and withdrew from the room when this item was discussed.

 

With regard to the main aims of the service Miss Williams clarified that the service will try to reconnect individuals with their place of origin when possible so a local connection can be demonstrated when applying for housing and related support.

 

Miss Williams explained that in the next year the service plans to utilise a new database system to provide greater monitoring options. 

 

The Panel noted the positive involvement of the service in the city centre.

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of Stonepillow in discharging the Funding Agreement during 2017/18 be noted
  2. That funding for year two of the three year agreement be released in April 2018

 

Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice (ACCA):

 

Mrs Apel returned to the room.

 

With regard to attendance at outreach points such as Selsey and East Wittering Miss Williams explained that although some  had seen a slight reduction in numbers  home visits continued to be offered (although funded from outside this grant). Miss Williams confirmed that a web chat service had also been established and is finding a new audience

 

The Panel noted the positive impact of the ACCA move to EPH for visitors who could now access a variety of services in one building.

 

Miss Williams agreed to provide Mrs Lintill with the number of visitors who have accessed ACCA since the move.

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of ACCA under their joint Funding Agreement during 2017/18 be noted
  2. That funding for 2018/19 be released in line with Cabinet recommendations

 

Shopmobility (Chichester) – a service provided by Community First Wessex (CF):

 

Mrs Apel left the meeting during this item.

 

With regard to insurance cover for users Miss Williams confirmed that anyone hiring a mobility scooter would be offered basic training and would also be covered under the service insurance for the duration of the hire.

 

The Panel agreed that a number of positive changes had been made to the service in the last year.

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of Shopmobility (Chichester) in discharging the Funding Agreement for 2017/18 be noted
  2. That funding be approved at the same level for a further two years (please note that this is subject to relevant funds being available)

 

Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester (VAAC):

 

The Panel noted the positive work of VAAC in the past year.

 

Mrs Lintill requested an update at the September Panel once further information was available from WSCC regarding VAAC funding.

 

RECOMMENDED TO THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICE:

 

  1. That the performance of Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester in discharging the Funding Agreement for 2017/18 be noted
  2. That a response is sent to West Sussex County Council’s (WSCC) letter requesting extension of current funding contract for 2018, accepting an additional year
  3. That funding for 2018/19 be released including the transfer to VAAC of WSCC funds once received (in line with the contract between Chichester District Council and WSCC)