Consultation on VCS Infrastructure Investment

Worcestershire County Council has implemented a BOLD (Better Outcomes, Leaner Delivery) Programme to achieve better outcomes against the Council's corporate objectives over the period of 2011 - 2014, in the context of reducing resources.

The BOLD Programme aims to minimise service reductions as far as possible by being more innovative, creative and cost effective. 

The BOLD VCS Review was commissioned to identify how and where the Council spends money with the voluntary and community sector (VCS)  and how this can be spent to achieve best value for money.

A particular focus for phase one of the BOLD VCS Review was to identify how best to provide infrastructure support to the VCS.  The requirement to do so was underlined by the end of a three year strategic grant to the Worcestershire Infrastructure Consortium on 31 March 2011 and emerging Government policy. 

In addition, Government expectations of the VCS are pronounced in relation to Localism and Personalisation and the Council's new Corporate Plan identifies potential opportunities for the VCS to play a significant role in supporting the delivery of the Council's approach to being 'Open for Business'. The need therefore to invest in building capacity within the sector and stimulating market development is real.

The Council is keen to consult with voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprise regarding a proposed new model of infrastructure support which is outlined in the attached consultation document.  (17KB) Your views and comments are invited by direct response to Suzy James on sjames2@worcestershire.gov.uk.  A number of meetings have been arranged around the county to provide further information on the proposed model: