News from Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)
Reading Borough Council has launched a consultation on ‘future investment in community support’. Voluntary and community groups have until 25 July 2021 to give their views.
Since 2016, the council has focused on ‘narrowing the gap’ between different groups of residents. A number of voluntary and community organisations are now delivering services under funding agreements with the Council which are aimed at tackling poverty, promoting wellbeing, and supporting thriving communities. These agreements come to an end in May 2022, and we are interested in views from third sector groups about what the council should invest in as part of our next funding round, and how. Potentially, this could include a mix of contracts and grant awards of varying length.
The council also needs to decide how long our next set of funding agreements should last. Longer agreements make it easier for organisations to plan, but there need to be regular opportunities to review priorities to make sure we’re still investing in what matters most.
The council is asking voluntary community and faith sector organisations for their views to help plan the next stage. RBC will also be looking at other data which has been gathered on health, wellbeing and social inclusion in Reading, and what the organisations RBC currently commissions have told the council about how their services have been used.
You can complete an online form here. Please contact Claire Muir (Policy and Voluntary Sector Manager at RBC) at clare.muir@reading.gov.uk if you have any queries, would like to receive a hard copy of the consultation questionnaire or require additional support to understand or complete the questionnaire.