Agenda item - Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Strategic Funding

To consider the report (to follow).

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

The Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Governance and Communications, Cllr Bill Revans, invited the Lead Member for Transformation and Human Resources, Cllr Theo Butt-Philip, to introduce the report.

The Lead Member for Transformation and Human Resources, Cllr Theo Butt-Philip, introduced the report, highlighting: that the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE) is an acknowledged key partner for the Council and broader Integrated Care System (ICS) as underlined by the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding on 28 September 2023; the value of the longer term multi-year funding settlement; that the report relates to core funding for two key strategic partners for the Council: Citizens Advice Somerset and Spark Somerset; and that the agreement will enable the two organisations to continue and provide a wider range of services.

The Service Director – Partnerships and Localities, Sara Skirton, presented the report, highlighting: the work led by the Partnerships and Localities service to review and consolidate agreements with the VCFSE sector to develop a more strategic, sustainable and efficient approach; and that the multi-year agreements will provide greater security of funding and enable VCFSE organisations greater flexibility in the delivery of outcomes, to support innovation, ensure consistency of service provision across the county, provide greater coherence and enable efficient monitoring, planning and administration for the organisation and the Council.

The Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Governance and Communications, Cllr Bill Revans, invited comments from other Members present, questions and points raised included: the welcome support of the voluntary sector; the importance of a vibrant VCFSE sector for Somerset Council and Somerset residents; the small community grants and two predecessor District Council lotteries; the process and implications of a Section 114 Notice; and the resilience of the voluntary sector and the focus on strategic relationships with key partners to communicate regarding the financial situation.