1. Welcome Jamie Dunn, NELC Lisa Hilder NEL CCG

2.  Outline how the commission came about  The commissioners vision for future VCS infrastructure  Outline why the areas of focus within the commission were chosen ◦ Funding/Fundraising ◦ Volunteer support ◦ Organisational development/governance

3.  To give you the opportunity to clarify issues within the brief  To provide an opportunity for you to ask questions related to the aims of the brief  To update you on the decisions made to date and how they have shape the brief

4. June to September 2014 review undertaken Dec 2014 report presented Jan 2015 Cabinet approval of the report and its recommendations January 2015 VCS Forum established May 2015 Forum development event June 2015 database went live

5.  Improved collaborative working with the public sector  Drawing on expertise and experience across the VCS sector – and using it to improve outcomes  Collectively shape and enable high quality services that the public need  Contribute to the growth and development of the sector to enable it to operate effectively in a new operating environment  Increased potential to identify and deliver opportunities that individually could not be accessed

6.  Area has missed out on funding opportunities  Perception of competition rather than collaboration  Over reliance on grants and lack of understanding of alternative funding options  Local examples of good practice – need to build on these

7.  Operating environment locally changed radically due to financial pressures  Public sector expectations and requirements regarding volunteers has changed  Logical progression routes for volunteers not structured / clear  Volunteers often volunteered by organisations – need a structured and consistent local volunteer offer

8.  Mixed economy of support organisations locally, can be confusing for new groups  Level of support varies depending on size of organisation  Skills within organisations that could support / add value to emerging / developing VCS organisations  Potential for standard templates / processes