Issue - meetings

To note the council wide funding prospectus for the voluntary and community sector which sets out new commitments to funding applicants and related recommendations 

RESOLVED:

1.  That the council wide funding prospectus for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) (Appendix 1 of the report) which sets out our new commitments to funding applicants be noted. 

2.  That the richness and diversity of the 12 regular funding programmes contained in the prospectus and how these are available to meet a wide range of community needs to ensure that Southwark remains a dynamic, diverse, responsive and supportive council be noted.  In 2022, 402 grants have been made with the smallest £500 and 62 contracts with the largest over £6m.

3.  That the principles, commitments and purpose that underpin the funding programmes be noted and how these frame the prospectus as a practical guide to how we provide funding as well as setting out how we will meet the challenges that emerged from the reviews.

4.  That the following changes to working practice set out in the prospectus be noted. 

·  We will monitor funding to our Black, Asian and minority ethnic led organisations across our grants programmes.  Where there is evidence of gaps, we will target funding for those groups and work to close the gap. 

·  We will commit to ensuring there is funding support to our different communities and have started to collect information that will tell us whether organisations applying for funding are led by people from our diverse communities. This will ensure that funding reaches organisations that reflect the population of the borough.

·  We will still collect information that tells us which communities VCS organisations are working with and will ensure that there is support to organisations who have not received council funding before to apply for funding.

·  Assessment panels for grant making will include community representatives from outside the council.

5.  That it be noted that a review of the current VCS outcomes framework is currently underway so that is aligned with the council delivery plan and will be brought to cabinet in summer 2023.