Views sought on help for voluntary sector
Released: 13 July 2007
Wolverhampton City Council is asking people for their views on how the authority plans to support and work with voluntary and community groups in the future.
The city has a vibrant and diverse voluntary sector where hundreds of organisations carry out a wide range of invaluable work. The council currently provides more than £3.5million each year to support more than 70 community organisations. It is thought that these groups also attract an additional £10.9 million into the city from external funding sources.
The environment in which community groups operate is changing and the council is looking to put in place new ways of working to improve and strengthen its relationship with the voluntary sector. This follows a scrutiny review where councillors made a series of recommendations to ensure organisations get the best possible help.
A new draft strategy has been produced called ‘Supporting Change, Changing Support’ and an independent consultation process has been commissioned to ensure voluntary and community groups and organisations have the chance to influence the shape of the strategy.
Councillor Elias Mattu, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and community safety, said: “The council values the enormous contribution that voluntary and community groups make to life in our city. This new draft strategy aims to ensure that we offer the best possible support to the sector which meets the needs of so many communities and citizens.
We have commissioned an independent company to consult the voluntary and community sector on the proposals, which we hope will reassure people of the impartiality of the process.”
Voluntary and public sector specialists, Arte Research, led by Dr Anna Hraboweckyj, have been appointed to manage the consultation process which will include briefing sessions and focus groups with voluntary groups and organisations as well as opportunities for any group to respond and comment on the draft strategy in writing and by email.
Dr Anna Hraboweckyj said: “We are delighted to be working with the city council, the voluntary and community sector and other partners to support an independent consultation process. We look forward to seeing and hearing people’s responses over the coming weeks.”
For a copy of the draft strategy and a resource pack giving full details of the consultation process contact Kuldip Khela at Wolverhampton City Council on 01902 550115 or email kuldip.khela@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
You can contact Arte Research by email, or you can get directly involved by visiting www.wton-partnership.org.uk and clicking on ‘consultation and involvement’.
The consultation process will run until 21 September.
Issued by the press office.