Agenda item

‘The Voluntary Sector:  Where now in the time of recession?’

Mrs Julie Farrow, Chief Executive of Hunts Forum will be in attendance to address the Council.

(See Minute No. 55 for Members' Interests.)

The Chairman invited Councillor P J Downes, Leader of the Opposition to open the debate on "The Voluntary Sector:  Where now in the time of recession?"

In his opening remarks, Councillor Downes suggested that it was the original intention of the debate to explore in more detail the contribution of the voluntary sector to everyday life in the District.  However, the Government's austerity measures and their implications for the District Council and the voluntary sector had meant that the debate had assumed a different perspective.  Councillor Downes added that, in his view, there had been a tendency in recent years for the propensity for individuals to volunteer for community activities to fall with a growing reliance on public sector provision.  With cuts in public expenditure now imminent, this would have far reaching implications on service provision and the voluntary sector. 

With the aid of a powerpoint presentation and by reference to a paper which had been circulated to Members in advance of the meeting (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) Mrs J Farrow, Chief Executive Officer of Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations addressed the Council.  Mrs Farrow began by explaining that there were 1,200 known groups in Huntingdonshire undertaking voluntary work with many more in the community about which no details were known.  These contributed valuable time to an extensive range of activities.

She indicated her intention to focus in her presentation on the larger organisations and referred particularly to the Council for Voluntary Services which provided a free service to voluntary groups including advocacy and organisational development advice.  She explained that the Forum communicated and undertook consultation on behalf of the District Council and participated in partnership through membership of various groups under the Huntingdonshire Strategic Partnership.  Advice on the completion and submission of applications for funding in an increasing difficult market also was one of the functions of the Forum and £748,000 had been attracted to the District in the first half of the current financial year due to their efforts.

Key to voluntary work was the services provided to the community and to illustrate this aspect of their work, Mrs Farrow introduced Ms T Moss, a local volunteer, who gave an interesting account of her life as a volunteer.  Drawing her presentation to a close, Mrs Farrow recognised that the authority found itself in challenging times but she urged Members to continue to support the voluntary sector which together with local councils and other partners would continue to seek innovative solutions to the funding/services issues which lay ahead.

Following the latter's address, Councillor D Harty commended the work of the voluntary sector in Huntingdonshire and in particular the valuable contribution of Hunts Forum and he encouraged the Council to continue to offer their support to the organisation.  These sentiments were endorsed by Councillors J W Davies and P D Reeve. 

Mrs Farrow explained that the Forum was currently operating at full capacity and she was attempting to prioritise workloads by continuing to support those in most need for which the funding support from the District Council was essential.  In terms of fund-raising and in answer to a question from Councillor Mrs M Banerjee, Mrs Farrow explained that while fundraising could attract funding from external sources, the support was not available for core activities which was where the grant received from the District Council was directed.

In his role as Mayor of St Neots Town Council, Councillor G S E Thorpe explained that he had become increasingly aware of the role of voluntary organisations in society and considered it essential that the District Council continued to support them.  Councillor P G Mitchell drew the Council's attention to the value of projects run by volunteers such as the skate park in Stilton which had reduced the incidence of anti-social behaviour and changed the perception of youth in the village.  Councillor S M Van de Kerkhove pointed out that the effect of budgetary constraints on the voluntary sector was contrary to the Government's vision of "big society".

In response to comments made, Mrs Farrow added that the potential for a reduction in funding had raised grave concerns within the voluntary sector in Huntingdonshire.  However she warned that it also could have an impact on other services mentioning that the withdrawal of the shop mobility scheme in Huntingdon could result in a loss of business in the town as shoppers might choose to visit Cambridge or Peterborough instead. 

Councillor S Greenall underlined the requirement for all partners to work together, to examine core costs and to seek value for money services.  Councillor J A Gray concurred with the previous speaker and added that innovative solutions were essential and that the Council's partners, including the voluntary sector, needed to work together to meet the challenges which lay ahead in the District.

It was the view of Councillor M G Baker that the debate had raised several critical issues about the ability to sustain the quality of life of individuals in the community without volunteers and the funding which supported the organisation which co-ordinated such services.  He was hopeful that the District Council would continue to recognise the value of the work of the voluntary sector and provide support otherwise the ideal of the 'big society' would founder.

In terms of the role of the Citizens Advice Bureau, Councillor B S Chapman was of the view that the funding for voluntary agencies in the District was critical given the advice they gave to the homeless, sick and bereaved and on planning, council tax and housing benefit issues which might otherwise, fall to the District Council.  Whilst hopeful that the District Council would continue to support voluntary organisations, Councillor Chapman acknowledged that there might be a need to look at other sources of funding in the current climate.

Councillor A Hansard pointed out that the support provided by the District Council was greater than that provided by neighbouring authorities and amounted to £450,000 in the current year.  He suggested that the voluntary sector could not be isolated from the cuts in funding which all local services were currently experiencing.  He suggested that town and parish councils, health and other public services would need to help ameliorate the impact of budget cuts over time. 

To conclude, Councillor N J Guyatt reminded the Council that everyone at some stage in life was vulnerable and would need the help of volunteers and Councillor Van de Kerkhove suggested that the Council should follow the example set by St Neots Town Council who had increased grant funding for the next three years.

In drawing the debate to a close, Councillor Downes thanked Ms T Moss and Mrs J Farrow for their attendance and contributions to the meeting.  He added that, increasingly, more people would be living at the "margins" of life and in rapidly changing times there would continue to be increased demand for the voluntary services.