Continuity and Change Refreshing the Relationship between Welsh Government and the Third Sector in Wales. A response from VAMT

Transcription

1 Continuity and Change Refreshing the Relationship between Welsh Government and the Third Sector in Wales Introduction A response from VAMT VAMT is the County Voluntary Council (CVC) for the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil. Its purpose is to support, develop and represent Third Sector organisations and promote volunteering in the county borough. VAMT has a membership of 245 organisations and is managed by a board of trustees elected from those member organisations. This response has been considered by the trustees of VAMT during the consultation period and views expressed by VAMT member organisations have been incorporated. The VAMT Board endorsed the response document on 31 st July Chapter 1 Outline of the current basis of the relationship between the Welsh Government and the Third Sector Q.1. Are there other key changes or developments in recent years that impact on the relationship between Welsh Government and the Third Sector and should be taken into account? VAMT broadly agrees with the points raised in the chapter but wishes to make the following points on regional working and public services. Regional working VAMT recognises the importance of the collaborative footprints linking to the health boards (in VAMT s case Cwm Taf) and has been working very closely in partnership with Interlink RCT and Cwm Taf Health Board on this agenda. However VAMT has also worked to other regional configurations that cover issues of regeneration, education and the police/community safety. VAMT has been engaged with the Head of the Valley Partnership, the Heads of the Valleys Education Programme and is lead CVC in relating to the Police and Crime Commissioner in the South Wales 1

2 Police area. We also anticipate we will be actively engaging with the Capital Region in respect of future European Structural Funds on behalf of the Third Sector. In addition, VAMT is aware that the GwirVol Partnership has been having discussions with WJEC concerning the impact of WG education policy in relation to the Welsh Baccalaureate. There is an expectation that young people will engage in community benefit activities as part of the curriculum, this has implications for how the sector is able to respond and engage with young people in this context. In short, VAMT believes that the reference to the six established collaborative footprints needs to recognise that the sector is also seeking to engage with other different regional configurations and that the future regional agenda will be overtaken by the anticipated outcomes of the Public Service Commission. Public services VAMT agrees with the assertion expressed by WCVA and others that the section on public service delivery should go further in assessing and understanding the major implications of the real current and future pressures on public services. A coproduction approach to service delivery needs to be adopted if they are to meet the challenges of cuts, aspiration and ageing. This needs to happen at national and local level if public services are to be sustainable. Statutory bodies need to set out a narrative expressing their view of the distinctive role of the Third Sector in public service reform and transformation. The Third Sector needs to be seen as part of the solution not the problem. Chapter 2 Affirming and renewing the relationship Q.2. Do you agree that the analysis of the Third Sector and its qualities are still relevant? VAMT believes that the analysis remains sound, although the priority that many organisations place on preventative services, early intervention and long-term solutions could be emphasised. Although it may be implicit, we would also like to see explicit reference to the sector s role in: Helping to make sustainable development a practical reality for people and communities through integrated social, environmental and economic action Effective public engagement and participation. We support the view that Third Sector is a broad encompassing term which includes a diverse range of organisational forms and statuses, but organisations within it are united by common principles. 2

3 Q.3. Do you consider that the following five strategic themes are still useful as a basis for ongoing dialogue? Q.4. Are there other elements you would add or consider to be more useful? Valuing voluntary action Strengthening and empowering communities Facilitating citizen voice Accelerating social enterprise Personalising public services The first three themes remain relevant. We agree with the concerns expressed by WCVA regarding the fourth and fifth themes. The fourth theme remains relevant but is expressed too narrowly. It could be better articulated as Growing the social, environmental and economic impact of the Third Sector. This would better capture the sector s role in sustainable development, and recognise the economic impact of all Third Sector organisations that create and sustain jobs and wealth through their activities, however they might define themselves. VAMT s major concern is with the articulation of the fifth theme, public services. As expressed it suggests a narrower contribution to public services than is currently the case. The sector does, of course, play a major role in personalising services, but is also involved in a much broader range of services across Wales not covered by this description (e.g. environmental services, recycling and reuse, leisure provision). Chapter 3 Supporting the Infrastructure Q.5. The role of Infrastructure is set out in the document. Please let us know if there is something that you think has been overlooked. The description of the role of the infrastructure should include accountability as a defining characteristic. The Welsh Third Sector infrastructure is uniquely defined and not fragmented as other parts of the UK. An essential characteristic of the infrastructure is its membership and accountability to the sector. VAMT and the other infrastructure organisations have a broad and inclusive membership, open to any type of Third Sector organisation; and trustees elected by their members. A meeting with the VAMT membership regarding this consultation expressed the view that one of the essential roles of an infrastructure body is supporting good governance and robust structures including whistle-blowing procedures. It was felt that this should be more clearly registered. In addition, they asked to make the point that role of the infrastructure regarding Supporting Public Service Design and Delivery is dependent on the support of local government and the local health board and their commitment to a coproduction approach. Otherwise the description of the role remains accurate. 3

4 Q.6. How might we achieve the right balance of funding and delivery across the Infrastructure nationally, regionally and locally? VAMT supports the views expressed by Wales Association of County Voluntary Councils (WACVC) that; endorses the importance of WCVA as the national infrastructure body, which supports and facilitates joined-up national and local services to maximise support and minimise duplication of effort endorses the importance of CVCs working together regionally across differing regional boundaries that the principles of local access and accountability to the Third Sector are central to the infrastructure asserts that any rationalisation of funding to cover national, regional and local delivery should be based on service outcomes and appropriateness of access for the communities being served. In addition, both CVCs and WCVA endorse the importance of local support for local groups. This principle was very strongly supported by VAMT member organisations as this is the building block of local citizen and community action which helps to develop the resilient communities Welsh Government wants to foster. VAMT is very concerned with the intention to review the funding formula whereby funding is distributed between CVCs and Volunteer Centres. CVCs are relatively small organisations and a minimum irreducible level of funding is required as a minimum if they are to be viable, sustainable and able to attract and support other projects which enhance the core funding from Welsh Government. There is also concern that funding on a regional basis may also throw into question the core funding received from the local authority. The Welsh Government core funding for VAMT including the Volunteer Centre amounts to approximately 11% of VAMT s total income in the current financial year. This core funding is crucial to the stability of VAMT and the ability to provide consistent services to the local Third Sector. It underpins services whose value significantly exceeds the amount of funding provided. It enables funding from other sources to be sought to support a wider range of core services, and to develop other initiatives that benefit the sector. This has been subject to significant financial challenge over the past four years with core funding from local statutory bodies frozen along with the Welsh Government cut in core funding earlier this year. VAMT member organisations were very clear in supporting the roles of an infrastructure body in providing local support for local groups, a local volunteer centre with a physical presence, and local networking which is vital for the sector to be represented in local partnership and policy arenas. VAMT believes that the balance of funding between national, regional and local levels should continue to reflect the principles already set out in the Partnership Agreement. VAMT members expressed dissatisfaction with the notion of creating regional budgets which would be difficult to manage and to demonstrate 4

5 accountability. There is also the danger of creating new legal bodies which need administering and feeding, thus wasting resources. VAMT is already actively engaged (with Interlink) in joint working and representation work across the Simpson Footprint including the Cwm Taf Regional Collaboration Board and many others. VAMT and Interlink have drafted a Regional Development Plan for 2013/14. However, VAMT and other CVCs accept that they are best organised conterminously with local government and change would be expected in line with any new arrangements following the outcome of the Public Service Commission. The arrangements need to be outcomes driven, not driven by funding issues or a desire for certain structures. Q.7. Do you support the proposal to develop a Third Sector Innovation Fund on the basis outlined here? VAMT is committed to innovation and service improvement but does not support the proposed Innovation Fund as described in the consultation. Such a fund could stimulate new ways of working but it must be linked to outcomes not be used as a device to further structural changes to the current Infrastructure arrangements. This would be the consequence if the Fund were created by top slicing the current core funding. If instituted, an impact assessment is needed to test potential benefits against the effect of any service reductions that result from the topslicing core funding. A drift from core funding to project funding would reduce sustainability and may result in inconsistencies in service provision across the infrastructure. However, VAMT agrees with WCVA that a continuous improvement approach is required to stimulating innovation and improving quality. VAMT supports; Organisation-wide quality assurance (using PQASSO or similar) Continued professional development of infrastructure staff in key service delivery areas Collaboration with specialist bodies (either across the infrastructure or on an individual organisation basis) to improve access to and synergy with specialist services. Leadership development and change management Q.8. We consider that the current infrastructure support for volunteering is strong in many respects but could be simplified. Do you have any suggestions for how it could be improved? VAMT endorses the importance of local volunteer centres and support they provide for people who want help in getting involved in volunteering. Although new technology has a very important role in promoting volunteering, the current arrangement to have a volunteer centre in each locality provides a vital face-to-face service that should be maintained. This is particularly critical in a difficult economic climate as it relates to the acquisition of skills for those seeking work. This contributes to agendas and strategies that are tackling poverty, adult community learning and NEETS. VAMT has very large numbers of enquiries and a significant 5

6 number from areas of high deprivation and/or high support needs so would not wish to see the level of funding drop from this area of work. The grant schemes both Volunteering in Wales and the grants element of GwirVol are essentially direct support for mostly small and medium-sized groups rather than infrastructure services. Reducing or abolishing these will remove a vital source of funding for local community activity. Local volunteering is an essential ingredient of community resilience, and the returns for local communities from these investments are very significant. However, we note WCVA s comment that there may be scope to streamline and simplify some existing arrangement by harmonising grant administration systems, and consolidating GwirVol funding for volunteer centres as part of their core grants. VAMT would support their desire to discuss this further with Welsh Government. Chapter 4 - Engagement Q.9. Do you agree with the proposals for development of the TSPC network and meeting structure? VAMT supports the continuation of the Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC) and direct contact with Welsh Government, as it is through this mechanism a shared agenda and joint delivery of services can be debated and agreed. However we accept that the current arrangements need improving and we agree with WCVA s proposal for a jointly owned Programme for Action, which would draw from the priorities set out in the Welsh Government s programme and the priorities identified by the networks represented on the TSPC. VAMT supports the proposal that TSPC meetings should be supplemented with additional or longer meetings with Welsh Government officials. VAMT endorses the view of WACVC that it does not support the proposal to establish a TSPC Strategic Leadership Group as it would increase the allegations of exclusivity. VAMT welcomes the proposal to revise the TSPC membership to reflect regional perspectives as it could provide a forum where local, regional and national organisations, together with national and local government, could meet to take forward the regional agenda. Q.10. The suggested framework for TSPC Workstream activity seeks to increase the effectiveness of the contribution of the Workstreams. Do you have other suggestions to add to/or improve the proposal? VAMT supports that the terms of reference for Workstreams are to be developed within a new overall framework based on key strands. 6

7 Q.11. Do you agree that the existing biannual cross-portfolio Ministerial meetings should be replaced by a more flexible pattern of meetings with Ministers which focus on timely and specific issues of mutual interest/concern? VAMT supports the WCVA view that the commitment to two meetings a year with Ministers should be maintained but needs to be built upon and improved, not abolished or diluted. We agree that the Welsh Government and the TSPC should monitor the overall pattern of engagement through the Ministerial meetings and the outcomes over time, to review how effectively the meetings are contributing Chapter 5 - Working Together Nationally, Regionally and Locally Q.12. What can be done to ensure that the Third Sector s contribution to the Programme for Government is recognised and maximised? VAMT along with other CVCs at the local level are working with local authorities, local health boards and other public bodies through their partnership arrangements for implementing Welsh Government policies and programmes across all policy and service areas. VAMT represents the interests of the Third Sector across all priorities helping public bodies engage with and involve Third Sector organisations. Currently VAMT has been particularly engaged with the development and implementation of the local Single Integrated Plan and has facilitated Third Sector engagement and participation. Q.13 The proposal is for a greater Third Sector involvement in regional working. How would you wish to see that achieved? All CVCs are currently engaged on regional initiatives which are facilitating work across the Simpson footprint; these include joint representation, sharing joint information, jointly supporting Third Sector regional networks and facilitating regional applications for Big Lottery programmes, where they match regional agendas. WG could look to strengthening and targeting resources to some of this work rather than looking to create a new layer of structure, which could prove costly, hard to manage and not link well to the outcomes being sought by Welsh Government. In terms of working on a regional basis, VAMT s response to this question has been covered in the responses to Question 1 and 6. VAMT agrees with the views expressed by WCVA that depending on the conclusions of the Public Service Commission, the funding arrangements for the infrastructure from April 2014 should set out clear expectations of how CVCs and volunteer centres will respond to any consequent changes. These expectations should be predicated on meeting outcomes that best serve the sector. Services must be maintained that are accessible as locally as possible and given that many organisations are wholly self-reliant and have no significant relationships with the public sector, the primary relationship is with the local authority. 7

8 Q.14 Do you agree that the model of commissioning in Fulfilled lives, supportive communities should be adopted within the Code of Practice? VAMT and other CVCs agree this could be adopted in the Funding Code of Practice, but it is important that it is made clear that this is a model that sits alongside (and does not replace) other grant funding arrangements. At a local and regional level there have been considerable variations in the application of commissioning, with inconsistencies making it difficult for the Third Sector to build up its experience. VAMT and Interlink developed an excellent resource targeted at the public sector which is based on the same principles as Fulfilled lives, supportive communities. The regional areas being used for commissioning services can also vary and do not necessarily follow the current Simpson footprint, which is an additional reason for VAMT not wishing to be forced into working in just one region. Q.15 Community development and community resilience is an important part of the Welsh Government and Third Sector relationship. How would you like to see our proposals in this area taken forward? VAMT agrees that community development and community resilience is an important part of the Welsh Government and Third Sector relationship. Resilient communities are sustainable communities. One of the main purposes of a local infrastructure body such as VAMT is to support citizens to come together to work on a need they have identified. Enabling those ideas to grow is the basic building block of VAMT s work. In addition VAMT is supporting community action by hosting the South Merthyr Tydfil Communities First Cluster and project managing the Community Voice 1 project which is targeted at the seldom heard most marginalised communities of interest in the county borough. We believe that one of the ways Welsh Government can help build community resilience is to reinstate the small grants fund that was, until recently, administered by CVCs. Chapter 6 - Compacts Q.16. Do you consider that local Compacts have a continuing role in shaping the relationship between the Third and Public Sectors in Wales? VAMT s view is that local Compacts have a continuing role in shaping the relationship between the third and public sectors in Wales. They should provide a mechanism for engagement and joint working around common agendas and achieve better and joined up results for people and communities. They should also have an important role in improving standards, including mechanisms for resolving problems 1 Big Lottery funded until

9 and disputes, and via local funding codes of practice to mirror the Welsh Government s Code. Q.17. Do you agree with the proposal to develop existing frameworks to impose greater control or influence over local compacts and only introduce new statutory obligations if this approach fails over time? VAMT s view is that a reliance on using existing frameworks, as suggested in the consultation document, will not be sufficient to ensure effective Compacts. Effective compacts can be most consistently and effectively achieved by placing local compacts on a statutory basis to reflect the statutory basis for the Third Sector Scheme. This would provide an enabling rather than constraining framework, allowing each local authority to agree and put in place arrangements appropriate for its priorities and for the sector in its area. VAMT has had a tripartite Compact with local authority and local health board since 2008 and has good working relationships with both bodies. The reality of Compacts is that, as with many partnerships, they can be dependent on individual relationships and therefore VAMT would support statutory obligation as these can often have greater effect in altering relationships than frameworks. Chapter 7 - Framework Documents Q.18. Do you agree that the Voluntary Sector Scheme should be revised on the suggested basis? Yes, VAMT agrees with the proposal. Q.19. Do you agree that the Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector should be strengthened and updated? Are there particular issues you think should be addressed in the revision? VAMT supports the view of WACVC that the Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector should be revised and updated. Q.20. Do you agree that the existing Action Plan should be superseded by the Integrated Delivery Plan, Annual Report and Workstream Framework? Yes, VAMT agrees with the WCVA view the proposal is acceptable provided that the mechanisms for engagement are underpinned by the shared and tangible outcomes that the proposed Programme for Action would provide, and that progress in addressing these becomes the focus of the Annual Report of the Scheme. We would wish to see commitments from government to making this work, and to monitoring its own performance in as precise or measurable a way as it monitors the sector s contribution. 9