Issue - meetings

Report of Councillor J Barry, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Assets

RESOLVED – That Cabinet noted the content of the report.

REASONS FOR DECISION – To ensure that the Council maximises efficiencies and outcomes through commissioning voluntary sector organisations to help achieve the Council’s Priorities.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – No alternative options are considered appropriate as the aim of the review was to increase transparency and accountability of commissioned services.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.

The reportto Cabinet provided an update from the 23/24 report on the annual summary on the grants awarded to the Community and Voluntary sector, which aimed to support 20,000 households per year. There had been a dip during covid but last year just under 22500 households had been assisted.

Members noted that the majority of households are seeking advice on the cost-of-living challenges, and a breakdown of the support people are requesting was provided with the majority being from the Citizens Advice for benefits who were providing a range of ways to interact with the community. Derbyshire Law Centre were providing free advice focusing on housing and civil rights, with the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre providing advice with Personal independence Payment (PIP). The Volunteering Centre with their befriending service, and the home from hospital service, with the largest reason for engagement being volunteering.

Rural Action Derbyshire have assisted people with the cost-of-living crisis and the Community Action Grants of up to £500 has helped fifteen community groups. Some of these organisations have been asked to attend the Community Scrutiny meeting to present the impact their work has had on the community.

Cabinet discussed and welcomed the update, which mentioned that the Unemployed Workers Centre had generated a large amount of money for people in Clay Cross.  Members gave thanks for the work which the team does.

RESOLVED – That Cabinet noted the content of the report.

REASONS FOR DECISION – To ensure that the Council maximises efficiencies and outcomes through commissioning voluntary sector organisations to help achieve the Council’s Priorities.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – No alternative options are considered appropriate as the aim of the review was to increase transparency and accountability of commissioned services.