NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

It is part of our role to ensure that the views of the voluntary and community sector, in relation to volunteering issues, can be properly expressed and that mechanisms exist to consult members and ensure their representation.

FUTURE PLANS

Cheltenham Local Authority/Voluntary Sector Partnership

We seek to aid in the establishment and support of a Local Authority/Voluntary Sector Partnership to:

• Develop effective working relationships between the Council and voluntary and community groups operating within the Borough in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Community Strategy.

• Provide advice to the partners on the identification of needs and best practice models and in drawing up priorities for action and funding criteria.

• Promote opportunities for joint working between the Council’s Service Areas and voluntary and community sector groups through consultation, participation and service delivery, including with users and carers and other isolated and marginalised groups.

• Promote and support opportunities for the voluntary and community sector to secure contracts with the Council.

• Identify and secure opportunities for accessing external funding and partnership working.

• Establish joint sector panels to address new issues as necessary.

• Influence Council policies and actions in relation to the voluntary and community sector.

• Examine working relationships and partnerships with other organisations to ensure these bring maximum benefit to Borough residents.

• Ensure the principles of the Compact are observed by all parties in all decision making processes.

In other parts of the country this has been an extremely effective model for liaison between statutory and voluntary sectors on areas of mutual interest.