Issue - meetings

1.    The reports informs members of the Shadow Executive of the commitments for 2020/21 and 2021/22 that have been made by the four District Councils in the form of grants to voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs).

2.    It also highlights the importance of maintaining key relationships with strategic partners, particularly the VCSO / Not for Profit Sector and providing financial stability in the first years of the new council.

RESOLVED:

1.    To Note the importance of the VCSO sector as a core partner and, in consultation, continue to develop the VCSO / Not for Profit Sector Strategy for Buckinghamshire for consideration by the Cabinet in July 2020.

2.    Recognise the VCSO’s need for assurance specifically during the transition phase and support the continuation of the predecessor councils’ multi-year funding arrangements at a revised cost of £1,392,709 in 2020/21 and of £1,168,758 in 2021/22 as per the spending protocol.

3.    Conduct a review of Buckinghamshire Council’s financial support for the VCSO to ensure a planned and sustainable approach; report to the Cabinet funding streams which would include grants to VCS in Autumn 2020 with proposed terms of reference for the review and a detailed plan which includes any proposed grant extensions where appropriate.

Declarations of interest for the item had already been declared under item 3.

I Darby introduced the report that detailed the commitments for 2020/21 and 2021/22 that had been made by the four district councils in the form of grants to voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs).  I Darby highlighted the importance of maintaining key relationships with partners and in particular the VCSO sector who gave a wealth of knowledge and support freely.  There had been a recent Chairman’s event which celebrated just some of those within the sector and it was clear that the areas they support stretched far and wide.  It was stressed that a lot of the work they did would not be possible without an element of financial support from the council and these organisations needed financial security going forward.

Members of the Shadow Executive echoed comments made and paid tribute to those in the sector for the valuable support they provided.  All members fully supported the recommendations in the report.

I Darby put on record her thanks to all paid and unpaid volunteers in the county and looked forward to working with them in the future.

RESOLVED:

1. To Note the importance of the VCSO sector as a core partner and, in consultation, continue to develop the VCSO / Not for Profit Sector Strategy for Buckinghamshire for consideration by the Cabinet in July 2020.
2. Recognise the VCSO’s need for assurance specifically during the transition phase and support the continuation of the predecessor councils’ multi-year funding arrangements at a revised cost of £1,392,709 in 2020/21 and of £1,168,758 in 2021/22 as per the spending protocol.
3. Conduct a review of Buckinghamshire Council’s financial support for the VCSO to ensure a planned and sustainable approach; report to the Cabinet funding streams which would include grants to VCS in Autumn 2020 with proposed terms of reference for the review and a detailed plan which includes any proposed grant extensions where appropriate.