TOURISM, EQUALITIES, COMMUNITIES & CULTURE COMMITTEE

AGENDA ITEM 6(D) Brighton & Hove City Council

NOTICE OF MOTION

GREEN GROUP

CHARITY SECTOR AND SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEERING

1. This committee requests that a report tis brought to a future committee and is commissioned to explore:

- How the city council can offer enhanced support for the charity and voluntary organisations in the city, either through ‘in-kind’ support, pooling resources where appropriate, signposting, access to funding or greater partnership opportunities, in order to ensure their continued sustainability throughout the covid-19 crisis and beyond.

- That such a report includes detail on how the council can establish an appropriate, sector-led ‘warning system’ of charities and voluntary groups in the city who are in need of urgent support for their service users.

- Consideration of any emergency funding options available.

2. And that further to the work of charities and volunteer groups, to support the city to respond to the Covid-19 crisis, that committee agrees:

To explore how, in partnership with local businesses, how the city council can support, reward and recognise the role of volunteers in the city, including through promoting best practice in ‘volunteering leave,’ and other measures, in liaison with local councils for voluntary service and representative bodies.

Proposed by Cllr Powell        Seconded by Cllr Ebel

A loss of charity organisations in the city at short notice would have a both a detrimental and devastating impact on service users and vulnerable people.  Given the likelihood of a recession it is imperative that the council considers now how to ensure continued positive partnership working.  Council must have a clear understanding of the challenges the sector is currently facing.

Committee notes the excellent work of the council’s Third Sector team, and also considers the additional resources they will need to support any enhanced sector work.

Committee also notes the volunteering leave policy of BHCC and other organisations in the city, such as the Mutual Aid groups.