northlincs.gov.uk

Corporate Scrutiny Panel – 4 April 2013

PRESENT:  Councillor Robinson in the chair.

Councillors Wilson (vice-chair), England, Jawaid MBE and Wardle.

Councillor Whiteley attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The panel met at the Civic Centre, Scunthorpe.

157  DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared a personal and prejudicial interest –

No whip was declared.

158  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceeding of this panel held on 14 March 2013, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman.

Prior to consideration of the following items, Councillor Jawaid MBE, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the meeting.

159  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – The Chairman informed the panel that a request had been received from Mrs Carole Phillips, Chief Executive of Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire (VANL), who wished to address the panel on council grants to voluntary and community organisations.

Mrs Phillips explained how VANL had, in her opinion, been adversely affected as a result of the bidding process to provide advice and guidance to local residents and support and development to the Voluntary and Community Sector.

VANL were concerned that the council had awarded the organisation less than they had bid for, thus making a financial deficit for the year.  VANL represent over a thousand organisations and the level of support provided to those organisations would now be affected.

VANL had concerns over the grant process.  The application process was submitted based on the ‘custodian’ model.  However, that model was withdrawn and replaced with a new process, which, in her opinion put VANL at a distinct disadvantage to the other organisations.

VANL believed that they were ‘collateral damage’ as a result of the change in policy.  VANL had always delivered on its contracts with the council and, with the current demand for services as high as ever, it was imperative the funding situation was resolved.

Resolved – (a) That Mrs Phillips be thanked for her attendance and presentation, and (b) that the many points made during the presentation be discussed and considered as part of the agenda item on ‘voluntary and community sector funding’.

160  (15)  ADDED ITEM – VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR FUNDING – The Chairman invited Councillor Wilson to introduce his added item and explain the rationale behind the request.  Councillor Wilson explained that through dialogue he had had with many organisations, there was some confusion as to how the funding had been allocated by the council.  The two processes used for allocation of the funding appeared to create a two tier system which penalised some voluntary and community sector organisations and as the allocation of funding was an officer decision, some clarification as to how the funding had been awarded was necessary.

The Chairman invited the Cabinet Member for Policy and Resources and Director of Policy and Resources to respond to the points raised by both Councillor Wilson and Mrs Phillips.

Following the Director and Cabinet Members comments, the Chairman invited panel members and representatives of the voluntary and community sector in attendance to discuss the issue of voluntary and community sector funding.

Resolved – (a) That the position be noted; (b) that voluntary and community sector funding be added to the scrutiny panel’s work programme for 2013-14, and (c) that all members of the voluntary and community sector organisations in attendance, Cabinet Member and council officers be thanked for their attendance and contribution at the meeting.