Issue - meetings

Report ACS 11073

The Executive considered a report proposing the award of a contract to Community Links Bromley for three years from 1^st April 2012, with an option to extend for a further two years and for additional funding for the first year (2012/13) being met from LPSA reward grant. The report had also been pre-scrutinised by both the Executive & Resources and Adult & Community (A&CS) PDS Committees whose comments were reported at the meeting.  The report detailed what was covered in the core contract with Community Links and the future requirements in respect of helping the Council deliver on its agenda for social care and its wider community objectives.

Members spent some time debating the issues arising from the proposals particularly around the need for clear targeting and value for money.  Whilst acknowledging the significant contribution made by the organisation comment was made on what added value the Council would be gaining from paying the additional funding as proposed, particularly as it was noted that Community Links had large reserves.  In addition members were concerned at some of the overlaps in work between the various voluntary groups and the lack of robust monitoring information.  The Portfolio Holder for Adult & Community Services emphasised the excellent work done by the Voluntary Sector and the support provided by Community Links.  He reported that at the A&CS PDS meeting they had also discussed funding being given on a targeted basis and had proposed an amendment to the second recommendation in the report to reflect this.  The Portfolio Holder for Children & Young People had some concerns at releasing the additional finance and commented that he was not aware that Community Links provided support for young people services and would like to see more details of this before any decision was taken.  Councillor Evans pointed out that this was one of the target areas that Community Links would be expected to develop for the future and the new Chief Executive of the organisation was keen to work with CYP to achieve this.

Councillor Getgood asked that the confidential report showing more detail of the financial arrangements should be bought forward into the public part of the meeting as it was difficult discussing these issues without referring to the confidential information.  Having considered the suggestion and the advice from the Director of Resources the Executive agreed that the report be bought forward into Part 1 of the meeting.  Councillor Getgood commenting on the proposals referred to the difficult cuts in funding faced by most other groups yet it was being recommended that Community Links should get a significant increase above their grant and could not see the reasoning nor how successful they had been to justify such an increase.  The Assistant Director Commissioning and Partnerships drew attention to the list of requirements set out in the report and outlined the work carried out by the organisation in taking the lead in supporting many voluntary groups to continue with their work.  Further issues were raised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111

Report ACS11074

The Committee considered the recommendations within the report.

Report ACS11073

The Committee considered a report outlining the current arrangements with Community Links Bromley for providing support to the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, and proposing that a new contract be entered into from 1^st April 2012 for a period of three years with an option to extend for  a further two years.  It also proposed additional funding for one year to provide enhanced support to the voluntary sector during a period of significant change and financial pressure in social care and support services in both adults and children’s sectors. 

The Chairman made a slight change to recommendation B to include reference to funding being given on a targeted basis.  She also wanted close monitoring to ensure the targets were being met and noted that a number of other voluntary organisations would need support to achieve the required savings.

RESOLVED that the Executive is recommended to approve:

(a)  Waiving the requirement for competitive tendering in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 13.1 and approve the award of a contract to Community Links Bromley for a period of three years from 1^st April 2012 with the option to extend for a further two years (with authority for the option to extend to be delegated to the Director of Adult and Community Services in consultation with the Adult and Community Portfolio Holder), and

(b)  additional funding during the first year (2012/13) funded from uncommitted LPSA reward grant on a targeted basis.