Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Housing Services

Summary

To consider a commissioning exercise to deliver a consistent and equitable approach to the funding of advice, volunteering and volunteer driving services in Cherwell and to consider the implications for a potential countywide Dial-a-Ride service.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To cease existing funding arrangements for organisations funded through the Council’s Voluntary Sector (Community Development) Grants Programme and Community Transport Grants Programme as from 31 March 2012.

(2)               To commence a commissioning process to fund strategically relevant Advice, Volunteering and Volunteer Car Driving services across three geographical areas within Cherwell.

(3)               To note ongoing officer discussions with Oxfordshire County Council regarding County Council proposals to develop a countywide Dial-a-Ride Service and how this might serve District residents most in need of this service.

(4)               To receive a further report on the outcome of this exercise as part of the 2012/13 Service and Financial Planning process in the Autumn.

Approved, with the amendment that recommendation1 should read:

To cease signify a likely cessation of existing funding arrangements for organisations funded through the Council’s Voluntary Sector (Community Development) Grants Programme and Community Transport Grants Programme as from 31 March 2012.

The Head of Housing Services submitted a report to consider a commissioning exercise to deliver a consistent and equitable approach to the funding of advice, volunteering and volunteer driving services in Cherwell and to consider the implications for a potential countywide Dial-a-Ride service.

Councillor Cartledge addressed the Executive as a ward councillor and officers agreed to provide further details to him on the issues he raised.

In the course of the debate the Leader of the Council confirmed that he would like the Council to look hard at the relationship between the council and Banbury Community Transport and additionally he would like Overview and Scrutiny to help ensure the engagement of all councillors on this issue.

Resolved

(1)                           To signify a likely cessation of existing funding arrangements for organisations funded through the Council’s Voluntary Sector (Community Development) Grants Programme and Community Transport Grants Programme as from 31 March 2012.

(2)                           To commence a commissioning process to fund strategically relevant Advice, Volunteering and Volunteer Car Driving services across three geographical areas within Cherwell.

(3)                           To note ongoing officer discussions with Oxfordshire County Council regarding County Council proposals to develop a countywide Dial-a-Ride Service and how this might serve District residents most in need of this service.

(4)                           To receive a further report on the outcome of this exercise as part of the 2012/13 Service and Financial Planning process in the Autumn.

Reasons

This proposal marks a shift from grant funding organisations to commissioning strategically relevant services.  We are in a time when it is important that the Council funds services which target those most in need, are delivered on an equitable basis and support the Council to deliver its statutory responsibilities.  This proposal sets out to do this in the context of a national agenda of Localism and Big Society.

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