Issue - meetings

Reporting Person – Louise Strongitharm

Councillor Forster, Portfolio Holder for Voluntary Sector, introduced the first Woking Voluntary Sector Annual Report which provided an overview of how the Council supported volunteers, local charities and community groups.  The report also set out the outcomes of the community grants for 2023-24 which had been administered through a new partnership with the Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS).  The Portfolio Holder explained that the new approach for administering community grants had been very successful and community groups had welcomed the opportunity to access multiple funds through one expression of interest.

The Executive noted that Service Level Agreements had been created for organisations which were deemed particularly important in supporting the Woking community in partnership with Council teams, such as Citizens Advice Woking and York Road Project.

The Executive acknowledged the key part the voluntary sector played in the Borough and expressed its gratitude for the work undertaken across the voluntary sector.  Given the Council’s challenging financial circumstances, the importance of empowering and working with the voluntary sector going forward to help to deliver services was raised.

RESOLVEd

That the wide range of support for the voluntary sector in Woking be noted, including the benefits of the partnership with the Community Foundation for Surrey in administering community grants.

Reason:   To report on the outcomes of the awards from the Woking Council Community Fund, and the wider discretionary support provided to the voluntary sector from the Council.