Purpose

To update on progress to review specialist advice services and seek approval to continue payments to specialist advice service voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 whilst plans are implemented.

Decision

That the Cabinet Member for Health and
Communities:

 

a)


Notes the
progress to redesign specialist legal advice services funding; and




b)


Approves the award of grants totalling £100,524 to VCS organisations providing specialist
advice services for a twelve-month period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
as set out in this report
whilst funding plans are developed and implemented.
 

 

Reasons for the decision

The assessments completed for the provision of
specialist advice service activity determined that future funding should be
thematically reviewed. The context of the review has now changed significantly and this review will not be complete by 1
April 2024.

 

Extending the funding to 31 March 2025 would allow for the
implementation of alternative arrangements and would align to the agreed grant
policies and processes, with no expectation that funding would continue beyond
the stated period.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - Do nothing. The Council could do
nothing and allow the current grants to end on 31 March 2024. Ceasing funding
at this point would contribute towards addressing the Council’s budget deficit.
However, this would impact those organisations currently delivering specialist
advice activity and would also impact activity that supports objectives within
the Public Health Service Plan. Although grants are allocated on an annual
basis it is important that organisations are given appropriate notice of any
changes as specified in Best Value Guidance and the Derbyshire Compact. This option is therefore not desirable as it would not
support the Council to meet these obligations.

 

Option 2 - Extend for a time limited period
(six months). The Council could extend grants for a time limited period with a
review at six months, ensuring continuation of activity whilst further work is
undertaken to assess the funding against the Council’s emerging financial
position and budgetary priorities. However, this option would leave organisations
with limited ability to plan activity and budgets and could therefore result in
a loss of specialist advice services and expertise before a definitive decision
on the future funding/approach is agreed.