Important Messages from January 2009 Assembly
70 delegates from a wide range of community groups and local charities attended the Kindle Centre on Wednesday 28th January to celebrate Herefordshire Voluntary Sector’s 10th Assembly.
They listened intently as Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NAVCA, (National Association of Voluntary and Community Associations), praised the Community Strategy, Story of Place and Local Area Agreement:
“I cannot do justice to this excellent report in the short time available to me. What’s clear to me is that here in Herefordshire the contribution of our sector is taken seriously. Our work is placed at the heart of the Local Area Agreement. That is why of course the Local Area Agreement is an opportunity for us. If you are not yet familiar with the 31 priorities set out in the Agreement do consider them in relation to your own work.”
Kevin Curley also outlined some very real threats to local organisations. In many areas around the country, locally based Voluntary and Community groups are losing out to larger nationally based charities. This is at the same time as funding from lottery, trust funds and other grant giving organisations is declining.
Local authorities can protect local groups from this process by continuing to grant fund organisations rather than switch to a tendering model. Kevin stressed that grants are not subject to European Union procurement legislation and that The Compact, local and national, and the Codes that underpin the Compact are an essential element of negotiating relationships with statutory funders. Kevin urged delegates to make themselves familiar with the Empowering The Voluntary Sector, Public Law Project which has had significant successes in many areas of the country challenging decisions.
You can read a full transcript of Kevin Curley's speech by clicking on this link.
Chris Bucknell, Acting Manager of Herefordshire Partnership
Chris gave an overview of the new structure of Herefordshire Partnership and explained that arrangements for how the Area Based Grant would be used are still being refined. Chris also explained that the Community Strategy and Story of Place will form a main part of the Comprehensive Area Assessment inspection process by the Audit Commission. Inspectors have begun to look at Herefordshire and will be asking 'How we have made a difference and improved life for people living in Herefordshire'.
You can download Chris Bucknell's presentation at the foot of this page.
Cllr Roger Phillips, Leader of Herefordshire Council, highlighted the valuable role the Voluntary Sector plays in developing people’s skills and its’ strong links to communities. However Cllr Phillips also warned of tough times ahead, that following the next general election, there will be less funding available across the board. ‘However much money is available, there are always choices to be made about what we spend money on and how we tackle challenges. The voluntary sector, like the local economy, is both too fragile and too important to be allowed to fail.’
Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council and NHS, Mr Chris Bull assured delegates that Herefordshire Council recognises and respects the many roles played by the local Voluntary Sector including those as advocates for the vulnerable, campaigners on issues of concern, and of provider of services. It is right that the Voluntary Sector is funded appropriately to meet the full costs of running the services it provides and not because it is seen as a cheaper option.
‘Public money is there to meet local need, but the tendency is to keep on doing what we have done. There needs to be a dialogue with the sector about meeting changing needs. The nationally imposed introduction of ‘Choice and Personalisation’ means that it is no longer an option to simply commission one service to provide social care.
We need to be smarter about procurement and how we meet the challenge of shifting spending, whilst delivering a range of quality services.’
Chris Bull predicted that these would be difficult conversations. Cllr Phillips agreed but welcomed a ‘healthy dialogue with the sector in order to prepare Herefordshire and the Voluntary Sector for a soft landing’ as we collectively learn to live with less money and less oil.
