Agenda item

To receive an update on progress towards ensuring the future resilience of the third sector in Leeds.

Those in attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Mary Harland (Executive Member)

·  James Rogers (Director, Communities, Housing & Environment)

·  Paul Money (Chief Officer, Safer, Stronger Communities)

·  Samantha Powell (3^rd Sector & Migration Partner Manager)

·  Hannah Bailey (Chief Officer, Voluntary Action Leeds)

·  Pip Goff (Director, Volition part of Forum Central)

The Chair introduced the item, reiterating the value of the 3^rd sector in Leeds and its integral role in supporting sustainable communities.

Cllr Harland reflected upon the diverse benefits the third sector delivers for the city and its citizens. She acknowledged the challenge of the third sector being asked to meet increased demand at a time of increased financial constraints.

Pip Goff thanked Samantha Powell for the collaborative approach to developing the accompanying report. She reiterated the huge challenges for the sector with multiple costs pressures facing organisations of all sizes. She noted that the third sector is now working in spaces that may have been occupied by local authority or health partners in previous years and she stressed the importance of identifying ways in which to work collaboratively in future.

Hannah Bailey echoed Pip Goff’s comments, noting that the challenges facing the third sector are reflective of national trends. She highlighted that cost pressures facing organisations are compounded by increased demand from citizens who are themselves facing a ‘cost of living crisis.’

The Scrutiny Board was provided with examples of successful collaboration between the third sector and public partners – for example Voluntary Action Leeds and Forum Central working with the Council to deliver the most recent Welcome Spaces Programme in the city. However, members were also asked to note that there has been a 25% reduction in the number of volunteers in the city and a reduction in the number of small and medium sized organisations.

Hannah went on to welcome the development of Leeds Third Sector Strategy 2023 – 2028 and the launch of Leeds Volunteer Strategy - as key documents produced for the sector with wide support from strategic partners.

It was agreed that there is a challenge for city partners in retaining the vibrancy of the third sector in Leeds at a time when the role of public organisations is reducing. It was acknowledged that this poses a significant challenge but also provides opportunities for bold, creative solutions.

The Scrutiny Board welcomed the report and noted the valuable role the third sector plays in supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable citizens, as well as supporting minority communities.

The Board noted that the State of The Third Sector reports reflects the resilience of the sector. However, members recognised the need for greater long term planning to promote stability and sustainability. Pip highlighted the challenge for many third sector organisations of having to engage in short term contracts.

The Board questioned whether there would be value in the Council supporting the third sector to produce further information about the sector’s performance, potentially through a visible, regular ‘health check’ on the sector. The potential value of introducing Key Performance Indicators was explored, along with ways in which to reflect practical challenges such as declining number of volunteers and “red tape” associated with commissioning processes.

The Scrutiny Board queried whether there is a future role for the Board in examining some of these issues in more detail with stakeholders.

Hannah Bailey expressed reservations about whether a single suite of KPIs could adequately capture the complex nature of the third sector in Leeds, which has over 3,000 organisations of varying sizes. However, she agreed that the public sector has an important role to play in creating the conditions to enable the sector and communities to thrive beyond commissioning services. Council investment in third sector infrastructure was seen as important in helping to create the right conditions for third sector groups to come together and deliver services effectively.

Pip Goff and Paul Money reiterated that the accompanying report demonstrates the importance of collaboration and co-production, and that there is support in the sector for this approach.

Members examined some of the barriers reported by third sector organisations including access to community assets and ways in which third sector organisations can share their knowledge to strengthen decision making at a neighbourhood level.

Reference was made to current research by the University of Leeds into urban co-production for disused land in Leeds.

Members recommended that consideration be given as to how the third sector might be engaged in the Council’s ongoing community committee review.

Consideration was given to increased knowledge sharing amongst third sector organisations and a “generous approach to leadership” in the sector, particularly since the pandemic.

In response to member queries further information was provided in relation to the Leeds Community Anchors network.

Members recommended further consideration be given to how funding at a West Yorkshire level complements that being provided at a Leeds level.

The Chair thanked Pip and Hannah for their attendance, and their work within the sector. He reiterated that the Board would be happy to engage with the third sector in any areas where there is scope to add value.

RESOLVED: Members noted the content of the report and recommended that further engagement in the next municipal year.

12.16pm Cllr Anderson left the meeting.

12.21pm Cllr Hannan left the meeting.