Runnymede Compact

The Runnymede Compact was established in 2002, and is a written agreement between Runnymede Borough Council and the voluntary and community organizations in Runnymede.  The Runnymede Compact has been reviewed every year with RAVS and changes have been made such as the following:

• The Council will recognize volunteering time as a match funded contribution and give due consideration to training, involving, managing volunteers, and reimbursement of volunteer expenses as legitimate costs, in funding bid.

• Payments to voluntary organizations will be made within 30 days of invoices being received quoting a valid order number.

• An impact analysis will be carried out on beneficiaries, service users and volunteers before deciding to reduce or end funding.

• The Council and voluntary sector organizations will discuss the financial and other risks of proposed projects and agree delivery terms before a service level agreement is signed.

The Council is affected by the very large reductions in public spending. Our formulae grant has been cut and this, together with the fact that we have a very low council tax and falling income levels, makes it very difficult to give commitments to fund all of our services in the longer term.  As a result of this situation Runnymede Borough Council can no longer commit to 5 year service level agreements.

Consequently Runnymede Borough Council is proposing to reduce the time period of service level agreements from 5 years to 3 years for core grant aid organizations.  Runnymede organizations receiving core grant have already been consulted on this future change to their service level agreements, once the existing agreements come to an end.  The current recipients of 5 year service level agreements are happy to accept the change in view of the Council’s financial circumstances.  No other council in Surrey awards 5 year service level agreements.  The Government’s recommendation is for 3 year service level agreements.

The Council wishes to continue the good sound working relationship with voluntary and community organizations in Runnymede and would like to consult with the sector to:

obtain support for the change to 3 year service level agreements, and inform voluntary and community organizations of the new Multi-agency Funding and Development Panel which has been set up to:

• map voluntary sector organisations delivering services in Runnymede, including county wide groups
• identify their area of service delivery, human resources (including employed staff and volunteers) and other resources, current state of financial health, hours of operation, clients served annually, current caseload
• identify how these key voluntary and community organisations support the objectives of the Runnymede Borough Council Corporate Plan.
• work with the voluntary sector to help improve efficiency and cost savings with minimum impact on service delivery
• promote the development of skills and capacity within the sector to enable voluntary sector organisations individually or operating as groups to bid for and to deliver open public services
• deliver value for money in return for the grant aid given to voluntary sector and to make recommendations to the Community Services Committee on funding decisions.
• put in place recommendations for a 3 year term funding stream to commence at the expiration of the current 5-year term, which expires in 2013
• where funding recommendations could result in reducing or ceasing existing funding to a voluntary or community organisation, to carry out impact assessments and promote alternative or shared provision.
• promote partnership working in Runnymede, by identifying common priorities between Thames Medical GP consortia, other partners and Runnymede Borough Council that could result in joint funding
• promote securing any available funding resources outside the council and the voluntary sector that would support the aims stated above

The Chairman of the new panel is Councillor Peter Waddell, the Lead Councillor for the voluntary sector.  Other members of the panel are:

-      Dr Liz Lawn,  Thames Medical GP Consortia

-      Jean Boddy and Norah Lewis,  Surrey County Council

-      Arthur Birkby and Solette Sheppardson,  RAVS

-      James Preece representing the private sector

-      Councillor Paul Tuley and Deborah Blowers, Runnymede Borough Council

If you have any views on the proposed change to 3 year service level agreements, and/or questions, comments for the panel, please contact Suzanne Harrison (Partnership and Policy Development Officer, Runnymede Borough Council) by email to  suzanne.harrison@runnymede.gov.uk or telephone 01932 425869 BEFORE 1^st March 2012.