Have your say on Council’s support for voluntary groups

The Council has recently launched a consultation on its draft commissioning strategy and prospectus for these organisations - known collectively as the 'Third Sector'.

Residents, community groups, voluntary organisations and their users are encouraged to give their opinions during the consultation, which closed on Sunday 31st July 2011.

This new approach aims to further develop the role of the Third Sector in supporting the Council to deliver improved outcomes for Southend's residents and communities.

The strategy aims to support voluntary and community groups in meeting the challenges of becoming more delivery-focused and ultimately achieving better access to sustainable funding. 

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Deputy Leader, Councillor John Lamb, who also chairs the Grants Strategy Working Party, said: "We very much welcome this draft Third Sector Commissioning Strategy and Prospectus and I strongly urge as many people as possible to give their views.

"This strategy is especially vital in the current financial climate when the Council is facing further funding cuts.

"It gives voluntary and community organisations a clear model to help them set and meet targets, measure their performance and stick to timescales - thereby helping them to have better access to sustainable funding.

"With the current budget constraints it is very important to make sure that we give these groups the biggest boost we can to enable them to help as many people as possible."