To be advised of the outcome of a joint review of third sector support and development services; to approve the principles for future delivery and delegate authority to officers to deliver the proposal, in conjunction with relevant voluntary and community organisations.

THAT :

(a)               the outcome of the review be noted;

(b)               the principle of a single local solution to deliver support services to front line community & voluntary organisations, together with a shared services approach to back office functions, be approved; and

(c)               authority be delegated to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the Director of Sustainable Communities, to negotiate and implement a single delivery arrangement in accordance with the agreed principle.

          HPS proposes to use the results of the Third Sector Support Services Review as a basis for future commissioning, both of services funded and those directly delivered by HPS.  A decision on future delivery arrangements is needed at this point, with transitional arrangements in place by the end of September 2011, to enable continuity of service during the recommissioning.

The review report (Appendix 1) provides further detail of alternative delivery options, together with a rationale for opting for the single entity