Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, Councillor Alun Mummery was elected Chair for this meeting of the Committee.

The Chair welcomed Mrs Annwen Morgan to her first meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee. On behalf of the Committee, the Chair also extended his condolences to Mr J.Huw Jones, Head of Democratic Services on the loss of his father.

Prior to commencing the business of the meeting, the Committee was provided with a brief history of the establishment and development of Penysarn Village Hall.

To receive any declaration of interest from any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

No declaration of interest was received.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 14^th October, 2015.

Matters arising thereon and updates:-

1.      Funding Code of Practice and Obligations

2.      Social Services and Wellbeing Act

3.      Third Sector Capability and Resilience

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 14 October, 2015 were presented and confirmed as correct.

Arising thereon –

•  The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn sought clarification of the status of the Final Report on the Review of the Third Sector and whether he would be made privy to its findings. The Leader of the Council confirmed that a detailed analysis of the Local Authority’s investment in the Third Sector had been undertaken by the Head of Resources and Section 151 Officer which the Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn would have an opportunity to see.

•  The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn confirmed that a briefing session for the third sector on tendering arrangements had taken place with the Council’s Procurement Officer and had proved helpful. However there still remained gaps in the sector’s knowledge particularly with regard to procurement.

•  The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn said that he had met with the Chief Executive with regard to potential use of Charitable Trust funds. The Medrwn Môn Board is keen to develop ideas and a further meeting will be sought in due course. It is important also that the Council is assured that the sector makes effective use of the funding it receives and that it can demonstrate that its governance arrangements are robust.

•  Funding Code of Practice – it was noted that the Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships) is currently reviewing the Council’s partnerships arrangements in their entirety and that the status of the Code will become clearer following the review. It was however suggested that the Funding Code be forwarded to the Head of Resources and Section 151 Officer for comment.

ACTION ARISING: Assistant Chief Executive to follow up on the Funding Code of Practice with the Head of Resources and Section 151 Officer.

•  Social Services and Wellbeing Act – the pressures which the Act is likely to introduce were noted. It was also noted that what is new in the Act is the emphasis which it places on the wellbeing dimension and on a person centred approach. The Third Sector is working with its partners regarding the best use of resources and in developing information, advice and advocacy so that small problems do not escalate into major ones requiring specialist intervention. There is a focus on prevention. It was noted that there will have to be a rethink of how care is provided so that provision meets the needs of the individual in a way that accords with the individual’s wishes and in a way that looks to make the best use of what is available in the community. This might in some cases involve simple measures such as help with shopping or tackling isolation and may not necessarily require expensive care packages. It is about finding out what the individual needs and is as much about a adopting a different approach and mind-set as about using resources in a more efficient way. Reference was made to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the Executive’s initial proposals for the 2016-17 Budget as set out in the Meeting the Challenges 2016-17 Budget Consultation document.

Consultation document available on the Council website:-

http://www.anglesey.gov.uk/Journals/n/b/g/Consultation-Document_201617_English.pdf

The Leader of the Council updated the Committee on the Budget position which had been alleviated to a certain extent by a less than expected reduction in the Revenue Support Grant and he explained the implications in terms of the funding gap, the savings required and what savings had been identified to date. The Leader confirmed that the reduction in Third Sector funding is less than at first indicated.  A report regarding the budget will be presented to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting to be held on 1 February, 2016 ahead of the formulation on the 7 March, 2016 of the Executive’s final budget proposals for submission to full Council on 10 March, 2016. The Leader also briefed the meeting on the gist of the public response to the budget consultation.

Whilst noting that some organisations had experienced a funding cut, third sector representatives acknowledged that the situation was not as severe as originally feared but still felt that the actual process could be improved by a  clearer dialogue with organisations and by better explaining how decisions regarding proposed reductions are arrived at.  It was agreed to note the position.

To receive an update from Medrwn Môn.

Ms Lyndsey Williams provided the Committee with an update on Community Voices activities with regard to the following –

•           Budget

•           Horizon

•           Citizen Panel

•           Scrutiny

•           Medrwn Môn Third Sector Consultation on the 2016/17 Budget and the responses made by third sector organisations

•           Joint Engagement and Consultation Board

Attention was also drawn to the Auditor General for Wales’s Report – All Wales Local Government Improvement Study: Council Funding of Third Sector Services 2015-16. It was agreed that the Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn would forward a copy of the report to the Council’s Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships) and the Procurement Officer.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services, as presented to the Executive on 14^th December, 2015.

The Executive’s Forward Work Programme for the period from January to August 2016 was presented and was noted.

To receive an update from the Joint Chief Officer, Medrwn Môn.

The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn suggested and it was noted, that consideration needs to be given to establishing the key milestones for the Committee’s business across its three meetings annually e.g. consultation on the budget; review of the effectiveness of the Funding Code and the Compact and Third Sector Strategy to ensure that it is keeping on top of matters and is aware of what is working well and what isn’t.

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Committee scheduled for Friday, 8 July, 2016 be held at Bodorgan Community Centre.