Report of the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services

This report provides information on the Voluntary Sector Commissioning Framework during year 3 (2018-19).

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Head of Leisure and Environmental Services which provided information on the performance of the Voluntary Sector Commissioning Framework during year 3 (2018-19) and the funding period 2016-2019.

The Contracts and Partnership Manager – Leisure and Community introduced the report and details of the framework throughout the funding period.  She responded to councillors’ questions about key performance indicators for the different organisations and the workforce information.  It was agreed the officer would ask if it was possible to view the evaluation information and then report back to councillors on the results.  It was noted that Watford Palace Theatre had improved its evaluation processes which had improved the results shown in the report when compared to previous years. 

The Contracts and Partnership Manager and Head of Leisure and Environmental Services advised that Holywell Community Centre attracted a number of people from outside the borough due to its location on the boundary with Three Rivers and was not very far from the London Borough of Hillingdon.  In addition the information was based on people willing to complete the surveys and also on hire events.  Following a question about the workforce figures for Holywell Community Centre and Watford and Three Rivers Trust, officers agreed to check whether the figures were correct and if the workforce worked for both organisations. 

A councillor asked officers to investigate key performance indicator 4 for Watford and Three Rivers Trust.  She was concerned about the low number of successful fundraising applications during 2018-19 compared to 2017-18.  It was agreed officers would find out more information and circulate it to the scrutiny committee.

The scrutiny committee noted that the food vouchers issued by Watford Citizens Advice Bureau were not part of its funding from the council.  However officers would find out how the process worked and how the vouchers were funded.

In response to a question about future challenges the Contracts and Partnership Manager advised that funding and volunteering were the biggest issues facing organisations.  Many organisations were reliant on the funding they received from the council.  Other funding streams were available and organisations were encouraged to investigate them.  Officers would work with organisations, for example to see how they could generate funds themselves.

The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services confirmed that the council’s officers held regular discussions with the organisations.

The scrutiny committee had a discussion about the workforce data.  It was noted that some information was not available.  Councillors were reminded that any staff survey requesting equalities data from individuals was not compulsory.  The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services confirmed that officers had spoken to the management team about trying to incentivise staff to complete the data.  However based on a 10% return the data would not be accurate enough to report.

A councillor commented that there was no reference to senior posts and relevant equalities data.  The Head of Leisure and Environmental Services advised that he would contact the council’s Group Head of Human Resources and if the information should be available under the Equal Pay Act.

RESOLVED –

that the report be noted.