Sandra Jones Community Sector Unit London Borough of Lewisham

Funding process Three year funding programme from April 2008 ‘investing in the sector’ and investing in the infrastructure and core costs of the sector Criteria for three year funding: demonstrate that they are able to meet the Council’s long-term strategic goals that three year funding will enable the organisations to improve its sustainability Tapering for some organisations

Funding Process Organisations will not be on 3 year funding where: concerns about an organisation are identified through the ongoing monitoring process, these organisations will be on annual funding until the areas of concern have been rectified. Organisations that are new to the grants programme should also be on one year funding for a period of 2 years before being considered for three year funding.

Monitoring process Why monitor? Twofold: To ensure that the funding is spent on what it was allocated for (use of public money) Just as importantly, as a way of assisting organisations to develop, by working with them to identify areas for development and assist with this – the new system will enhance this element

Traffic light monitoring system Identify areas for development around 4 areas: Governance Management Development and planning Financial viability

Monitoring process Each of the 4 areas has a set of indicators Each indicator then has level of competence which will identify whether it is green, amber or red The indicators and level of competences were developed jointly with the voluntary and community sector. In determining where of the traffic light an organisation might be, evidence is provided at the monitoring visit

Monitoring process A monitoring report is drawn up by the officer, which is sent to the organisation for agreement, signed off by the organisation’s committee The report also includes progress on service delivery, as set out in the outcomes agreed as part of the grants process.

What next? Capacity building officer analyses training needs identified Relevant support is provided to organisations to assist them in moving up the traffic light. Support could include: Training course where there are common areas Events where organisations that have good practice pass this on Mentoring Individual support

What next? monitoring feeds into the reporting of the grant to Mayor and Cabinet meeting annually This system was implemented for the first time during 2008/09. Currently reviewing it with the voluntary and community sector to refine it. Feedback so far is that the sector has found it thorough but useful and it has improved relationships between the officers and organisations – both of which see the purpose of monitoring now being more than just ‘ticking the box’