Issue - items at meetings - Brighton & Hove City Council Communities and Third Sector Development Policy 2014-2017 and Commissioning Outcomes

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Copy attached).

(1)               That the Communities and Third Sector Development Policy 2014 – 2017 and the implementation plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

(2)               That the learning from the Neighbourhood Governance Pilots and that this has been incorporated into the Policy and the implementation plan be noted;  

(3)               That the Communities and Third Sector Outcomes, as set out in appendix 2 to the report, which aim to support the implementation of the Policy be approved;

(4)               That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Chief Executive to:

(i)           Use the outcomes agreed above to procure, in partnership with the Clinical Commissioning Group, Third Sector infrastructure support, community development and engagement for 2014-2017 using a ‘Prospectus’ approach and subject to annual budget setting agreements; and

(ii)         Extend the existing funding agreements for the Third Sector infrastructure support (representation and influence), community development, neighbourhood governance and community engagement until the completion of the above commission.

(5)               That the establishment of a co-ordinated approach to Third Sector commissioning that enables the authority and its partners to work more collaboratively, pool budgets and resources, reduce duplication and increase efficiency be approved.

82.1         The Assistant Chief Executive introduced the report which detailed the proposed Brighton & Hove Communities and Third Sector Development Policy for 2014-17 and the implementation plan as set out in appendix 1 to the report.  She noted that this was the next stage that would underpin the work of the Third Sector and that the policy included a number of key documents which would sit behind the report.

82.2         The Chair welcomed the report and stated that the work of officers and third sector partners was appreciated in bringing forward the policy.

82.3         Councillor A. Norman also welcomed the report and stated that there were a number of positive elements which highlighted the role of community and voluntary sector organisations in the city.  She had two concerns however, one in relation to the level of grant funding that would be available and the second in terms of the equalities initiatives and use of HRA to supplement discretionary grants.

82.4         Councillor Morgan stated that he would like to see the neighbourhood council’s scheme developed and more autonomy given to them in terms of budget and actions that they could take.  He also wished to thank the officers involved with the two neighbourhood projects for their work.

82.5         The Chair noted the comments and stated that the grant funding issue would be part of the budget proposals.  He also wished to add the committee’s thanks to the officers and all those involved in the two neighbourhood pilot schemes and then put the recommendations to the vote.

82.6         RESOLVED:

(1)               That the Communities and Third Sector Development Policy 2014 – 2017 and the implementation plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

(2)               That the learning from the Neighbourhood Governance Pilots and that this has been incorporated into the Policy and the implementation plan be noted; 

(3)               That the Communities and Third Sector Outcomes, as set out in appendix 2 to the report, which aim to support the implementation of the Policy be approved;

(4)               That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Chief Executive to:

(i)           Use the outcomes agreed above to procure, in partnership with the Clinical Commissioning Group, Third Sector infrastructure support, community development and engagement for 2014-2017 using a ‘Prospectus’ approach and subject to annual budget setting agreements; and

(ii)         Extend the existing funding agreements for the Third Sector infrastructure support (representation and influence), community development, neighbourhood governance and community engagement until the completion of the above commission.

(5)               That the establishment of a co-ordinated approach to Third Sector commissioning that enables the authority and its partners to work more collaboratively, pool budgets and resources, reduce duplication and increase efficiency be approved.