Issue - meetings

To approve and adopt the Compact: Cyngor Gwynedd and Third Sector Collaboration Agreement as a strategic framework for the relationship between the Council and Third Sector organisations in Gwynedd.

The report was submitted by Cllr Dilwyn Morgan.

DECISION

To approve and adopt the Compact: Cyngor Gwynedd and Third Sector Collaboration Agreement as a strategic framework for the relationship between the Council and Third Sector organisations in Gwynedd.

DISCUSSION

The importance of the relationship between the Council and Third Sector organisations was highlighted, and the sector was thanked for its contribution to the wellbeing of the people of the County.

It was explained that the Compact was a piece of work that has been undertaken by the Council in close partnership with Mantell Gwynedd for some time now.

It was explained that the Compact demonstrated how the Council intended to work collaboratively with the Third Sector to seek to ensure that the Council's duties were met and fulfilled with excellence.

It was noted that extensive consultation had been carried out in relation to the Compact, and part of that consultation had been carried out with Mantell Gwynedd.

The value of working with the Third Sector was recognised so as not to duplicate services, and as they were often closer to communities, and therefore able to deliver services in a manner that had awareness of the principles and values of those communities.

The Chief Officer of Mantell Gwynedd was welcomed to the meeting.

It was pointed out that a considerable amount of time had passed since the last time the Compact was reviewed. Although this was an initial document, it was confirmed that an action plan would be in place and its impact would also be measured. It was revealed that the landscape had changed in Wales with new legislation now in force, and as a result, the relationship between the Council and the Third Sector needed to be looked at in a slightly different way.

Pride was expressed that there was now a good working arrangement between the Sector and the Council. The officer elaborated on the significant consultation conducted on the document for a period of more than a year, with input from the various networks in the Sector and several opportunities to provide feedback. 

Details provided of the broad Third Sector in Gwynedd, emphasising the need and appetite to work with partners to ensure prosperity. It was noted that the document demonstrated the trust between the two sectors in the County, and those individuals who had been very supportive of the Sector in the attempt to get to this point of having Compact is place were thanked. Mention was made of the dependence between the Council and Third Sector organisations to be able to provide all the effective services. Along with the action plan, it was highlighted that the Third Sector Liaison Group would drive the work forward.

It was emphasised that the wellbeing of the people of Gwynedd was at the heart of this Compact.

In addition, the Care Scrutiny Committee was thanked for its work in scrutinising the item.     

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       The importance of the Third Sector to the economy was also mentioned,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6