Purpose

To provide an update on progress to review BME community support and consultation services and request approval to provide grant funding for a period of up to one year.

Decision

That the Cabinet Member for Health and Communities:

 

a)    Notes progress to review BME community
support and consultation funding; and

 

b)    Approves the continuation of payments to VCS
organisations providing BME support and consultation services for a
twelve-month period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 as set out in this
report.

Reasons for the decision

The
assessments completed for the BME activity determined that future funding
should be secured and thematically reviewed.

 

Extending
the funding to 31 March 2025 will secure activity until the implementation of
alternative arrangements. This aligns 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 BME support
activity and would also impact organisations delivering consultation and
engagement support 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 both leave organisations
with limited ability to plan activity and budgets and could therefore result in
a loss of consultation activity and expertise before a definitive decision on
the future funding/approach is agreed.