Cabinet received a report of the Voluntary Sector Specialist which included the new strategy.  The Mayor invited Councillor Collett to introduce the report.

Councillor Collett thanked the Voluntary Sector Specialist for her work and bringing the strategy together.  She also wished to thank everyone who had gone the extra mile during the pandemic.  The pandemic had highlighted successes and it was now necessary to build on these.  The strategy would enable a more collaborative working.  She appreciated the views and recommendations from all the participants which had led to this strategy.

The Voluntary Sector Specialist had found it useful to have the support of officers and the councillors on the task group.  In addition the members of the community had been generous with their time.

The Group Head of Community and Environmental Services added that officers had been humbled by the way the community had stepped up during the current crisis.  Strong bonds had been developed.  The recommendations in the strategy showed how this work could be taken forward.  An action plan would be developed and reported to Cabinet.  It would cover the recommendations from the task group and the strategy.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Voluntary and Community Strategy be adopted.

2.      that delegated authority be given to the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services to develop a 4 year action plan to deliver the Strategy, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder.

3.      that, once completed, progress with this action plan be reported to Cabinet as part of the quarterly updates on progress with the Council Plan.