The evening of the 31 March saw the annual meeting of the Leicester Compact at Voluntary Action LeicesterShire.
Helen Baker, Deputy Commissioner for the Compact, gave an optimistic and encouraging presentation on how the Voluntary and Community Sector and Compact has a strong role to play in the coming years as the economy strengthens. Helen highlighted that the sector needs to better evidence the work it does, to work out different approaches to different funding regimes, and that partnerships are fundamental to the ability of the VCS to deliver the services that people want and need, stressing the need for the VCS to develop more commercial skills in order to cope with the contracting of services and that in order to achieve this they will most likely need to form strong sector partnerships to share capacity demands. Helen added that the practice of Full Cost Recovery, regarded as good practice within the VCS, will take a hit and that organisations need to be very clear about their own costs when tendering and biding for contracts.
Cllr Vi Dempster, Deputy Leader of Leicester City Council, expressed her commitment to, and belief in, the VCS and the value that it brings to the City.
Kevan Liles, CEO of VAL, responded by thanking Cllr Dempster and said that the VCS was ready and able to respond to the needs of the communities of Leicester and to support the City Council in this difficult time.
Kim Curry, Strategic Lead for Adults and Communities at Leicester City Council, and Martin Flanagan, Assistant Director of Planning and Contracting at the NHS, spoke of the financial positions of their organisations whilst highlighting the inevitable fact that there will have to be significant savings made over the next two years.
Kim spoke of an expectation of a 2% cut in council spending in the next two years that would lead to a £10 million saving, adding that "disinvestment" areas are being sought in order to make further savings and that Leicester City target areas will be restructured around the Local Area Agreement priorities which will include the involvement of the VCS. Kim spoke of an expected 5% cut in specific grants, such as the Area Based Grant and a reduction in the Capital programme.
Martin stated that there is £125 million NHS deficit across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and that there will be no new money forthcoming for services, adding that it will be necessary to take a collaborative approach to service delivery based upon robust commissioning, quality, innovation, productivity and prevention of illness. Martin confirmed NHS Leicester City's commitment to working with the VCS but stressed the point that the VCS will not be immune to the financial challenges that are being faced.
The evening was chaired by Ray Flude, Deputy Chair of the Leicester Compact steering group.
For further information on Compact please contact:
Kevin Allen-Khimani:
Policy & Engagement Manager
e.mail: kevin.ak@valonline.org.uk
Tel: 0116 2575007
Or follow the links below for National and local Compact information.
• Compact
• Compact Voice
• Leicestershire Compact
• Leicester City Compact