Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: June 23, 2025

Purpose: This paper presents two separate, but interlinked, interim strategies and action plans for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and Volunteering which lay the foundations for the development and co-production of two longer term strategies that will cover the period 2027-2035.

Content: RESOLVED:   A. Agree to adopt the Interim Volunteering Strategy ‘Defining and Designing the Volunteering Realm in Merton’   B. Agree to adopt the interim Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy ‘Evaluating the VCS Landscape in Merton and Shaping the Council’s Relationship with the VCS’   C. Agree to extend the Civic Pride Fund: Supporting the Voluntary and Community Sector 2023-26 for a further financial year in 2026-27.