Dorset Council’s Cabinet today approved recommendations for continued funding for the voluntary and community sector. The proposals will ensure that the overall levels of funding are maintained, but the new harmonised approach to allocations will ensure equitable funding to organisations across the Dorset Council area.
Cabinet approved procurement of the following services, each for a five-year term:
- an ‘information, advice and guidance’ service for residents, to help with claiming benefits, support for those facing redundancy, housing problems, debt and other issues.
- a support service for the arts and culture voluntary and community sector
- a support service for the social voluntary community sector to provide advice on managing and training volunteers, making funding bids, governance arrangements and more.
Cabinet also approved a further one-year commitment to support those museums and community centres in which Dorset Council has an interest, after which they will be considered as part of the wider council properties review.
A new fund will also be established to replace all historical grant programmes offered by Dorset Council. In future, community organisations and charities will be able to apply for funding by demonstrating how they will achieve outcomes for local residents, aligned to the Dorset Council Plan. Funding will be allocated equitably across the Dorset Council area.
Cllr Jill Haynes, Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services, said:
“Throughout the COVID pandemic, we have seen an incredible response from many charities and community organisations across Dorset, from large sector organisations right through to small grass-roots groups which emerged during the pandemic to deliver food and medicines to vulnerable neighbours. These organisations and their volunteers came together to support the most vulnerable people in our communities during this challenging time. We want to support them to continue the great work already out there, helping people with their health and well-being and working in our local communities over the coming years.
We have already had informal discussions with the voluntary sector about this way forward and have had strong support. The work they do is vital and the five year term for services will provide much needed stability.”
