Agenda item

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, and pride was taken in how both sectors were now working well together.  It was noted that measuring the value of work was possible and it was ongoing through collaboration with Mantell Gwynedd. It was explained that measuring the success of the Compact was challenging, but it was intended to resume those meetings with the Third Sector and ask for their feedback. The Council's shift from being a commissioner to being a collaborative partner was mentioned, but that there needed to be a way to measure that change. It was added that established principles could be used to measure the social value of the Compact as well.

·       The decision on the name of the Compact was called into question following feedback from the consultation. In response, it was confirmed that the feedback had been considered but that Compact was the term used by the Welsh Government, the UK Government and other Councils, therefore it had been decided to keep the name.

·       It was agreed that community organisations were closer to the grassroots and therefore could perhaps provide a service in a less formal manner. Reference was also made to the flexibility of Third Sector organisations.

·       It was asked who would represent the Council on the Third Sector Liaison Group in terms of officers and councillors. It was noted that officers and senior officers from various Council departments would be part of the Group, but that it would be a good idea to look at those items that were on meeting agendas and invite the relevant officers to those items. In terms of Councillors, it was suggested that it would be a good idea for the relevant Cabinet members to attend, but that they were open to any recommendations from Cabinet in this regard. 

·       In response to a question about whether social enterprises were part of this Compact, it was stated that any organisation that seeks to benefit the local community on a not-for-profit basis was part of what was considered to be the Third Sector.

There was appreciation for a strong Third Sector in Gwynedd, and the Council's commitment to the Compact and to the Action Plan to follow was assured.