Agenda item

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 a pilot project in Gwynedd which involves putting the “What Matters Conversation” into practice, and examples of how this works were given and discussed.

•  Third Sector Capability and Resilience – it was noted that the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations had produced a report on Third Sector Capability and Resilience and that it had been agreed at the previous meeting that in light of funding reductions, the benefits of undertaking a similar exercise on the Isle of Anglesey  would be explored. The Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn said that whilst the support structure in terms of a Compact and Funding Code is in place what needs to be developed is a strategy regarding the Council’s expectations for the sector in the current climate. It was suggested that it would be helpful for representatives of Medrwn Môn to have a dialogue with the Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships) regarding what are the Council’s expectations and how the Third Sector can fulfil them which in turn might also assist with the funding process.

ACTIONS ARISING:

•  Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships) to follow up with Medrwn Môn on the feasibility of undertaking a Third Sector Capability and Resilience Review on Anglesey.

•  Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships) to meet with representatives of Medrwn Môn to discuss and clarify the Council’s expectations for the sector.