Agenda item

Context:

·         To provide relevant partnership information to the Strong Communities Select Committee in relation to the contribution of third sector organisations. 

·         To focus on the representation, activity and delivery of third sector partners across the partnership landscape within Monmouthshire, under the direction of the Monmouthshire Public Service Board (formally Local Service Board).

·         To have an oversight of the funding provided to third sector partners.

Key Issues:

In 2012, the Welsh Government Statutory Guidance “Shared Purpose, Shared Delivery” rationalised the partnership landscape, by reducing complexity and duplication, and freeing up resources, through the development of Local Service Boards and the Single Integrated Plan.  In April 2016, the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act came into force and the Monmouthshire Local Service Board transitioned into a statutory Public Service Board with the responsibility of overseeing the remaining year of the Single Integrated Plan, which runs until March 2017.

Following the audit and review of the partnership landscape in 2014/15, the Strategic Partnership team concentrated on shaping the partnership landscape into a structure that was accessible to all partners.  Strategic partnership groups were mapped and reviewed and this enabled the team to understand the complexities of partnership arrangements, the robustness of partnership governance and how they were contributing to improving population outcomes identified in the SIP for Monmouthshire and reporting into the Public Service Board.

The Partnership landscape in Monmouthshire fully embraces multi-agency working, with representation from a wide range of partner organisations, including the third sector, who work collaboratively to improve the outcomes for Monmouthshire residents.  Collaboration and partnership working forms a key part of the delivery mechanism across the county, and it is important that the Select Committee has a solid oversight of this work and the contribution of the Authority’s third sector partners in this wide and varied landscape.

Funding is awarded to some of the Authority’s third sector partners, who contribute towards the outcomes of the Monmouthshire Single Integrated Plan.  This funding is as follows:

Member Scrutiny:

Having scrutinised the report, the following points were noted:

·         A presentation and video was shown to the Select Committee regarding this matter

·         Home Start has made a difference. Schools are pleased with the outcomes.

·         The Authority’s financial contribution to GAVO ensures that we obtain value for money from this service.  GAVO plays an important role as one of our partners.

·         GAVO will be coming to a future meeting of the Select Committee.

·         The Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) provides excellent work and will be coming to a future meeting of the Adults Select Committee.

·         It was noted that the Community Council’s contribution to CAB was generally smaller that the contributions provided by the Town Councils within Monmouthshire. Knowledge of ratepayers’ precepts could help in determining how much each community council should be contributing to CAB.

·         GAVO also receives a grant from Welsh Government.