Agenda item

JC gave an overview of VIN and explained that she sits on CEFAP Panel.

VIN was set up to encourage volunteering and to recruit volunteers. There is a need to support volunteers so that this can be a thriving sector. VIN is contracted by County Council and NBC and is free to use. Voluntary Sector Groups can contact VIN for support. JC also represents Health and Wellbeing Board and sits on scrutiny committee. JC is Chair of Health and Wellbeing Forum.

CEFAP is a panel with representatives from the volunteer sector and councillors. Funding is given is very competitively and grants are not given automatically. A lot of time is spent making the difficult decisions as to who receives funding. It is important for groups not to become reliant on this funding.

RS raised the concern that larger organisations have a bigger influence. JC stated that there is mixture of both large and smaller organisations that receive funding. It is more important to look at the impact of the organisation. There are also small grants available for these particular groups. The key is to join with other organisations in partnership. Training is also provided and MT can help with this. There is a bid checking service too.

BM explained that organisations can access local councillors to ask for Councillor Community Funding.

CW commented that there seems to be distinction between large and small organisations, and questioned whether it is more sensible to talk about local and national groups instead.

JC advised that the CEFAP panel support local organisations and local organisations with national affiliation. For instance, the panel have helped Age UK Northampton as their work, and head office, is local to Northampton. Door 2 door still receives a large amount of funding compared to others. But all organisations have to be more innovative.

RS disagreed that there is a balance, and felt that national organisations still have an influence from central organisations. JC stated that this is a difficult as there are no big pots of national funds and this effects local people. However, small grants are available for specifically for small organisations. There is a misconception about this.

BM commented that NBC employed somebody to create a funding formula. This formula is invaluable, and NBC should support organisations trying to access funding.

JC advised that the amount the NBC gives to organisations is still a lot compared to others. BM added that we should be proud of NBC as funding is passed on. Organisations need to be smarter and need to work properly as a partnership to be more efficient.

MT will attend forums except Youth and Women’s Forums, JC attends the Women’s Forum. On the Partnership grant, MT advised that VIN can look at forms and act as a critical friend. Organisations need to work in partnership with other groups hence the name “Partnership Fund.” This is the foundation of this process. MT suggested that for instance Door to Door could work in partnership with other transport organisations.

CW said that the problem with working with other organisations is that there is always opposition. People want to do their own thing. MT advised that VIN can help organisations look at that. There are also commonalities between groups. Barriers can be overcome. CW agreed with this, but added that he felt the problem is also that organisations employ chief executives who don’t want to relinquish their role.

JC said that organisations do have to have paid staff to make it function. Ultimately it has to be about the users and the beneficiaries. The county council is shrinking and need to be innovative. Working together is the key.