Issue - meetings

Issue - meetings

Voluntary Sector Commissioing Framework Yr 1 Report

Meeting: 24/09/2020 - Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Item 30)

30 Voluntary Sector Commissioning Framework Yr 1 Report pdf icon PDF 388 KB

Report of the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee received the report of the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services.  This reviewed the performance of the Voluntary Sector Commissioning Framework in 2019-20 in providing a range of leisure and community services delivered by voluntary sector organisations on behalf of Watford Borough Council.

 

The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services briefly introduced the report before asking the Contract and Partnership Manager – Leisure and Community Services to provide a more detailed overview.  This included a short review of the impact on service delivery during the Covid-19 lockdown period (end of March to August 2020).  Committee members were advised that a more detailed analysis would be included in the year 2 report.

 

Following the presentation, scrutiny members raised the following points:

 

           Monitoring and engagement of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities – a significant amount of work had been undertaken to increase the monitoring and engagement of under-represented and BAME communities.  However, minority languages continued to affect accessibility for some people.  This might include some eastern European languages.  Previously money had been set aside to provide specialist language assistance.  It was questioned whether this funding had been ring fenced such that it would be available to provide interpretation services today.

 

           Impact of the Covid 19 lockdown on the demand for virtual activities from BAME residents – members were interested to understand whether participation levels by BAME residents had increased or decreased during lockdown.  In addition, where there had been an increase in demand for virtual activities, how this had been achieved.

 

           Shopmobility Watford – since 50% of users were non-Watford residents, it was questioned whether differential charging should be introduced.  Officers advised that the service was currently free of charge, although users often provided donations.  Thought was being given to possible charges in the future.  This might include differential charging structures.

 

           Pump House – it was suggested that movie nights might include an Asian film offering.

 

           Women only swimming – previously members had proposed that an additional women only session should be provided.  It was questioned whether current demand supported this proposal.

 

In addition to providing information on the above points, following the meeting, the Contract and Partnership Manager advised that she would report more fully on the work being undertaken to understand and, where required, increase participation by BAME and under-represented groups in the activities covered by the Voluntary Sector Commissioning Framework.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the report.

            

Action: Head of Leisure and Environmental Services and Contract and Partnership Manager – Leisure and Community


 

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