RESOLVED:

1.    That the aligning of the Information and advice, voluntary sector infrastructure support, Wellbeing, Carers, and Healthwatch services into an expanded Strategic Partner programme (as set out in section 3.10 of the Cabinet report) be agreed;

2.    That the Funding Prospectus as the basis on which to commission these services (as set out in section 3.14 – 3.20 of the Cabinet report) be agreed, with the addition of “and community care” to the list of issues in the first bullet point on page 4 of the Prospectus.

3.    That the funding agreements cover the period 2019-22 with funding for the third year of the information and advice and voluntary sector infrastructure support elements subject to a further Cabinet decision in 2020/21 (as set out in section 3.13 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.

4.    That the scoring methodology and weighting to selected providers (as set out in section 3.24 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Equalities presented the report which set out details of work which undertaken to transition to an outcomes-focused commissioned grants approach for the Strategic Partner programme.  The new programme had been co-designed with representatives of the Voluntary Sector, through a Collaborative Working Group, co-chaired by the Director of Community and Housing and the Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth 

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health welcomed the approach and the collaborative working with the Voluntary Sector.  Following feedback received, the CEO of Merton centre for Independent Living had requested the inclusion of community care to the list of lead issues for focus as set out in the funding prospectus, and this was recommended to Cabinet for approval.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Cleanliness advised that should the Multiple Sclerosis Society become involved with the Strategic Partner Programme at any point in the future, he would declare an interest as an employee of the Society.  It was noted however, that the Multiple Sclerosis Society was not currently involved.

The Leader welcomed the approach proposed and the collaborative working already undertaken, which reflected the values of the Council to support the most vulnerable members of the community by supporting the Voluntary Sector to deliver services which would benefit the community.

The Cabinet agreed the recommendations in the report, with the amendment to the Prospectus document as detailed above.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the aligning of the Information and advice, voluntary sector infrastructure support, Wellbeing, Carers, and Healthwatch services into an expanded Strategic Partner programme (as set out in section 3.10 of the Cabinet report) be agreed;

2.    That the Funding Prospectus as the basis on which to commission these services (as set out in section 3.14 – 3.20 of the Cabinet report) be agreed, with the addition of “and community care” to the list of issues in the first bullet point on page 4 of the Prospectus.

3.    That the funding agreements cover the period 2019-22 with funding for the third year of the information and advice and voluntary sector infrastructure support elements subject to a further Cabinet decision in 2020/21 (as set out in section 3.13 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.

4.    That the scoring methodology and weighting to selected providers (as set out in section 3.24 of the Cabinet report) be agreed.