Purpose

To seek approval for the award
of the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE)
Sector Support Grant. The grant will be for a period of 3.5 years,
covering 1October 2025 – 31 March 2029, with a minimum of
£140,000 available for Year 1, and a minimum of
£100,000 available per annum for future years.

Decision

(1)      
That the establishment of a VCFSE Support Grant be
aproved, to provide monies to a VCFSE
organisation to support the requirements of local VCFSE
organisations in Trafford for a period of 3.5 years, commencing 1
October 2025, ending 31 March 2029.
 
(2)      
That authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief
Executive and Corporate Director of Strategy and Resources to
finalise the grant arrangements with the recommended organisations,
in conjunction with the Executive Member for Communities and
Safety.
 
(3)      
That authority be delegated to the Director of Legal
and Governance to enter into any legal agreements necessary to
implement the decision.

Reasons for the decision

To ensure that the VCFSE sector
is supported in Trafford to help create a vibrant and resilient
sector.

Alternative options considered

Two alternative options are
available.
 
Option 1 – VCFSE support
is provided as a procurement activity and therefore not operate as
a grant but as a tender exercise, aligned with a people’s
contract. This is not recommended. As outlined, recommended best
practice is to operate VCFSE support as a grant. Equally, a grant
lends itself to a relational approach as opposed to a more
transactional approach. VCFSE support is also not a local authority
requirement or statutory service.
 
Option 2 – The Council
does not seek to fund any VCFSE support projects. This is not
recommended as it would harm the investment into the VCFSE sector
and the ability of the sector to grow and thrive. This would
therefore be at odds with the Our Trafford, Our Future Corporate
Plan. This would also put Trafford at odds with other GM
authorities.