Decision details

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed:

1.    To a three-year core funding agreement (Early Help and Prevention) for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 (with options to extend 1 plus 1), for Citizens Advice Somerset (CAS) and Citizens Advice West Somerset (CAWS).

2.     To a total core funding (Early Help and Prevention strand) allocation of £629,000 in year one followed by funding of £600,000 in subsequent years for Citizens Advice Somerset and Citizens Advice West Somerset, allocated as follows -

                 i. £629,000 – CAS £581,137; CAWS £47,863

                 ii. £600,000 – CAS £552,137; CAWS £47,863

3.    To up to five-year contract, jointly funded with Somerset ICB, to support VCFSE infrastructure and sector engagement with Spark Somerset for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 (with options to extend 1 plus 1), with a combined value of up to £750k per annum.

4.    To allocate a minimum £250k local authority contribution to VCFSE infrastructure per annum for 3 years.

5.    To delegate responsibility to the Service Director Partnerships and Localities in consultation with the Lead Member for Transformation and Human Resources to finalise and agree a mechanism to support a small grants process.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report