Purpose

The two current
service level agreements (SLAs) with partner organisations end on
31 March 2024.  One providing support to
voluntary and community groups to start, develop and thrive and the
other providing welfare benefits, debt, consumer and immigration
advice to individuals.
 
Co-designs have been undertaken and their outcome was
agreed at Cabinet in November 2023. It is now proposed to award
grant-aid to the providers of these services over the three year
period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 and to formally enter into the
new Service Level Agreements.
 

Decision

ROTHERHAM METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION

 

Date of Decision:

  28
March 2024
 

Title:

VCS Infrastructure and Advice
Services SLAs 2024 - 2027
 

Decision Maker:
(Including Job
Title)

Jo Brown, Assistant Chief
Executive.
 
 

Details of Specific Cabinet
Delegation
or Delegation contained in the
relevant Sub-Scheme of Delegation.
 

Council Constitution, Appendix
9, Section 4C2: Assistant Chief Executive – Delegated
Executive Functions: The Assistant Chief Executive is authorised to
discharge executive functions in relation to:- (6) Performance,
Intelligence and Improvement, including Policy and
Partnerships.
 
Minute 98 of the Cabinet
meeting held on 20th November 2023 delegates authority
to the Assistant Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet
Member for Social Inclusion to enter into two service level
agreements (SLAs) with partner organisations; one to provide
voluntary sector infrastructure support and the other to provide
advice services for the years 2024/25 to 2026/27.
 

Decision:

·      
To enter into a Service Level Agreements for three
years from 1 April 2024 to the 31 March 2027, with Voluntary Action
Rotherham to provide voluntary sector infrastructure support with
an annual grant of £126,000 (or £378,000 over the
three-year period).
 
·      
To enter into a Service Level Agreements for three
years from 1 April 2024 to the 31 March 2027, with Citizens Advice
Rotherham and District to provide advice services with an annual
grant of £240,000 (or £720,000 over the three-year
period).
 

Reasons for the
Decision:

At the meeting on
20th November 2023, Cabinet resolved that approval be
given to progress arrangements for VCS
Infrastructure
Services in Rotherham, including:
A.   
the proposed model to be delivered through a
standard SLA for three years commencing from 1 April 2024 and
continuing to 31 March 2027, which is based on the findings of a
co-design exercise;
B.   
the recommendation that the funding amount of
£378,000 is awarded as a grant to Voluntary Action Rotherham
in annual payments of £126,000 to deliver the three-year
SLA.
 
It was also
resolved by Cabinet that approval be given to progress arrangements
for Advice Services in Rotherham, including:
A.   
The proposed model to be delivered through a
standard SLA for three years commencing from 1 April 2024 and
continuing to 31 March 2027, which is based on the findings of a
co-design exercise;
B.   
The recommendation that the funding amount of
£720,000 is awarded as a grant to Citizens Advice Rotherham
and District in annual payments of £240,000 to deliver the
three-year SLA.
C.  
 
Details have now
been finalised to enable two service level agreements to be entered
into between the Council and the respective organisations to
deliver the functions and services agreed by Cabinet. A decision in
accordance with the delegation provided is now required.
 

Details of alternative
options considered and rejected:

Alternative options were set
out in the report to Cabinet on 20th November 2023. The
preferred option was to enter into a service level agreement with
partner organisations. This option has been achieved.
 
 

Conflicts of interest
declared by any Cabinet Member consulted by the decision maker
which relates to the decision:

No conflicts of
interest.
 
Cabinet Member for Social
Inclusion consulted.

Dispensations
Granted:
(If any)

None.

Reports or parts of
reports considered

Advice Services and Voluntary
and Community Sector Infrastructure Service Level Agreements
2024-2027 report, Cabinet 20th November 2023.

 
I
certify that this is a true record of the executive decision to
….
•               
To enter into a Service Level Agreements for three
years from 1 April 2024 to the 31 March 2027, with Voluntary Action
Rotherham to provide voluntary sector infrastructure support with
an annual grant of £126,000 (or £378,000 over the
three-year period).
 
•               
To enter into a Service Level Agreements for three
years from 1 April 2024 to the 31 March 2027, with Citizens Advice
Rotherham and District to provide advice services with an annual
grant of £240,000 (or £720,000 over the three-year
period).

Signed by the Decision Maker:
 
Dated: 
28th March 2024   
 
Name:         
Jo Brown
                              
Job
Title:    Assistant Chief Executive