Meeting documents

Cabinet
Tuesday, 20 September 2005

CA200905-08

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ITEM CA8

CABINET - 20 SEPTEMBER 2005

OXFORDSHIRE COMPACT - FUNDING CODE

Supplementary Guidance to The Oxfordshire Compact with The Community and Voluntary Sector in Oxfordshire

Report by Assistant Chief Executive

Background

  1. The Funding Code is the first of five items of supplementary guidance to the Oxfordshire Compact to be published. The Oxfordshire Compact is a partnership agreement between the statutory and voluntary and community sectors in Oxfordshire for assisting the development of effective working relationships. The Leader of the Council signed the Compact in September 2004 on behalf of the County Council. Alongside all 5 district councils, the County Council has played a significant role in the implementation of the Compact countywide and in the development of this Funding Code.

  2. The Funding Code has been written by a partnership of statutory and voluntary organisations including the County Council (represented by the Communities Team), all 5 district councils and representatives from the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action and Age Concern Oxfordshire.

  3. Following a consultation period from 16 May to 15 July 2005 the Compact Steering Group approved the draft Funding Code for publication and its members agreed to take the Code through their Management Team, Cabinet or Executive for adoption. A copy of the Funding Code is appended at Annex 1 (download as .doc file) .

    4. Objectives of the Funding Code:

  4. In Oxfordshire funding arrangements fall into two broad categories:

    • Activities that provide community benefits (e.g arts, environmental and sports projects)

    • Specific service outcomes that are commissioned (e.g ring-a-ride schemes)

  1. The Funding Code sets out more detailed guidance and best practice on how arrangements between the main funders in Oxfordshire and the voluntary and community sector recipients might be co-ordinated and managed, with an emphasis on:

    • Defining clear arrangements for the allocation of funding by statutory bodies

    • Simplifying processes wherever possible

    • Setting out expectations in relation to the use of public funds

  1. It is expected that each signatory to the Oxfordshire Compact and the Funding Code will incorporate the guidance and commitments into all their funding and grant arrangements with the voluntary and community sector.

    2. Implications for the County Council

  2. The County Council both funds and works with a wide range of voluntary and community groups and organisations which vary considerably in size and structure. Some provide a wide range of services and the Council relies on the voluntary and community sector in many areas of its business.

  3. Our partnership and funding relationships have not historically been well co-ordinated internally, with other Oxfordshire local authorities, or with the voluntary and community sector. However, during the last year the Council has made significant progress in reviewing and improving its relationships with voluntary and community organisations across the County:

    • The web-based Guide to Funding Opportunities in Oxfordshire, published in partnership with the district councils and voluntary sector, includes more consistent and relevant information about County Council schemes and funding arrangements as well as guidance for groups on the preparation and submission of bids.

    • Work is under way to develop internal guidance for officers on putting in place consistent standards across all our grant schemes.

    • The County Council is a partner in a programme for building capacity and developing infrastructure support within the voluntary and community sector in Oxfordshire. This work is being funded by Change Up which is a Home Office sponsored programme administered by the Government Office for the South East.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  1. The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. endorse the Funding Code and authorise its signature on behalf of the County Council;

          2. ask all Directorates and Heads of Service who have responsibility for funding and grant arrangements with the voluntary and community sector in Oxfordshire to ensure that all existing, new and planned funding procedures are compliant with the Funding Code;

          3. agree that the Communities Team in the Chief Executives’ Office should promote the Funding Code and liaise with Directorates on its implementation and monitoring.

 

STEPHEN CAPALDI
Assistant Chief Executive

Background Papers: None

Contact Officer: Gwenllian Davies Tel: 01865 810133

September 2005

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