Dumfries and Galloway Single Third Sector Interface - DG Voluntary Action as at 30 November 2010

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1 1 Dumfries and Galloway Single Third Sector Interface - DG Voluntary Action as at 30 November Introduction 1.1 The Scottish Government has advised that Councils for Voluntary Service, Volunteer Centres, and Local Social Economy Partnerships (LSEP) within each of Scotland s Community Planning areas should develop a Single Third Sector Interface. This is the Single Delivery Framework for DG Voluntary Action (DGVA) the Dumfries & Galloway Third Sector Interface, which is the single point of contact between the Scottish Government Third Sector Division and the centrally funded Third Sector intermediaries operating within Dumfries & Galloway. This document, along with Appendix 1, describes how the Delivery Framework will be implemented, the Interface managed and the governance, accountancy, communications and reporting arrangements. 1.2 The Single Delivery Framework provides an overview of planned outcomes for DGVA over the next three years under the headings of: Volunteering development Social enterprise development Supporting and developing a strong third sector Building the third sector relationship with community planning and local partners. It shows the share of funding for each main activity and describes in broad terms how DGVA will ensure that the planned outcomes are delivered for Dumfries & Galloway commencing in Context The funded intermediary bodies in Dumfries and Galloway are as follows: Annandale & Eskdale Council of Voluntary Service (AECVS) Nithsdale Council of Voluntary Service (NCVS) Stewartry Council of Voluntary Service (SCVS) Volunteer Action Dumfries & Galloway (VA) The Bridge Dumfries and Galloway (formerly Wigtown Council of Voluntary Service & Dumfries & Galloway Federation of Councils of Voluntary Service) (BDG)

2 2 The Local Social Economy Partnership comprises the four CVSs, and Dumfries and Galloway Council. There has been extensive discussion over the last eighteen months about the role and remit of the Interface. Key aspirations are as follows: to ensure the gathering and dissemination of robust intelligence about the Third Sector including adopting the National IT Platform as a means of gathering and evaluating standardised data in D & G; to ensure equitable provision of effective and efficient support for third Sector organisations across the region; to ensure that there is promotion of and support for volunteering activity for individuals and the organisations with whom they work; to ensure support for and promotion of social enterprise activity; enabling positive partnerships within and across sectors; to work with the Third Sector to ensure its interests are represented within Community Planning structures, and advocating on its behalf; to communicate and share information with the Sector; to ensure that the Third Sector can influence policy and planning, at national, regional, thematic and local levels; to identify gaps and opportunities for the development of Third Sector activity; to support the Third Sector to secure resources, through grant funding, service level agreements, contracting, and procurement; assisting organisations to present a coherent case for investment. 3. Dumfries and Galloway Third Sector Interface DGVA will ensure that the key Interface areas of activities required by the Scottish Government are delivered across the whole of the Dumfries & Galloway region. This will assist in the achievement of the partnership Single Outcome Agreement outcomes. The four specific activities areas to be undertaken are:- 3.1 Volunteering Development DGVA will enable the provision of a range of services that support and promote volunteering, improve the experience of volunteers, enhance the capacity of organisations to provide quality volunteering opportunities, and contribute to networking, planning and policy development with local partners as it relates to volunteering.

3 3 3.2 Social Enterprise DGVA will enable the provision of support, advice, information, about setting up, developing and running sustainable social enterprise organisations and contribute to networking, planning and policy development with local partners as it relates to social enterprise. 3.3 Supporting and developing a strong third sector DGVA will enable the provision of support services that build the capacity of the sector including training opportunities, funding, governance and legal structures advice that develops continuous improvement and sustainability and contribute to networking, planning and policy development with local partners as it relates to voluntary and community organisations. Critical to the success of these arrangements will be the ongoing provision of advice, information, and practical services to small community groups and support for community development at a local level. At the same time, organisations operating on a region-wide level will be able to access up-to-date, comprehensive support, advice, and information as required. 3.4 Building the third sector relationship with community planning and local partners DGVA will provide the means by which the Third Sector can be properly represented within, and contribute effectively to Community Planning structures at local, strategic and operational levels. It will also promote representation and contributions to Thematic Forums and partnerships. There will opportunity to identify issues and concerns across the Sector, to encourage and facilitate joint working, and to create opportunities for investment. DGVA will ensure the Third Sector has a positive influence on local partners activities through enabling the sector to play a role in the design and delivery of services to local communities and communities of interest. DGVA will ensure the Third Sector has engagement in and a positive influence on the development of the Community Plan and Single Outcome Agreement. DGVA will have the lead role in the implementation and development of the Compact between the Public and Third Sectors.

4 4 4. Governance arrangements Intermediary Boards The four CVS and the VA intermediary organisations will retain their local autonomy, Volunteer Action Dumfries & Galloway will continue to operate as a region-wide service and CVSs will operate in their local areas and region wide as required. This enables continual engagement, consultation and evaluation with the sector. Through this network DGVA will be connected and embedded in the sector and be able to deliver on strategic, thematic and local agendas. It should be noted that these intermediaries are independent companies limited by guarantee with charitable status. They develop and deliver projects and services in addition to the core intermediary work relating to DGVA activity. Members DGVA intends to be an incorporated Limited Liability Partnership with 13 Directors. The Membership will comprise: - one volunteer Board member representative of each of the CVS and VA organisations in Dumfries and Galloway, to be elected by the individual organisations themselves. -one volunteer Board member representative to be drawn from social enterprise organisation ( discussions ongoing about the future arrangement for the LSEP/Social Enterprise Network) - seven volunteer Board Members, identified and appointed through an independent, robust and transparent process. Expressions of interest will be invited from individuals from across Third Sector organisations working within and across Dumfries and Galloway. The seven independent volunteer Members will be from organisations that do not receive funding from DGVA DGVA will have a skilled and competent membership, equipped with the knowledge, skills and expertise required to operate effectively in the interests of the Third Sector. There may be additional Directors required as conditions of funding. The DGVA Chair will be drawn from the seven independent members.

5 5 The Members of DGVA will demonstrate and share a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the Third Sector in Dumfries and Galloway, and will reflect the range of voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations operating throughout the area. In order to ensure the highest standards of governance DGVA adopts the National Occupational Standards for Trustees and Management Committee Members in the Voluntary and Community Sector as the guiding framework. DGVA abides by all relevant legislation and best practice. The constituent organisations participate in the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations Governance Programme including the Evolving Leadership and Governance Forum. Decision-making All matters relative to the DGVA will normally be determined by unanimous agreement of the Members. A set of Standing Orders and Code of Conduct will be in place by 1 April Once a particular course of action is approved responsibility for implementation may be delegated to one of the member organisations. Organisations delegated to take forward a course of action may be permitted to make such day to day decisions as may be reasonable or necessary for the efficient implementation of the action. 5. Delivery arrangements Business Plan DGVA will develop a three-year Business Plan. The DGVA Business Plan and those of the individual CVS, VA, and LSEP organisations will reflect shared aims and objectives, and will be complementary. This will build on our current practice of sharing resources and specialist skills to avoid duplication and effect best value. Administration for DGVA The administration of DGVA is attended to by Member organisations in rotation. DGVA will not employ staff. Executive, financial, administrative and secretarial support will be provided from the membership DGVA organisations. Purchasing services Acting as fund holder of Scottish Government funding for CVS, VA, and LSEP activity, and based upon the aims and objectives of its Business Plan, DGVA will buy in services

6 6 from local CVS, VA, and LSEP organisations, as appropriate. Only in the event that local CVS, VA and LSEP organisations cannot provide services to fulfil the aims and objectives of the Business Plan, DGVA will consider purchasing services from other provider organisations, as appropriate. 6. Performance and quality DGVA intermediary organisations are currently engaged in the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations Supporting Voluntary Action programme to adopt and implement the EFQM Committed to Excellence framework within their organisations by the end of All organisations delivering services for DGVA will have achieved the EQFM Committed to Excellence quality assurance standard or nearing completion. The intermediary organisations involved are Companies Limited by Guarantee with Scottish Charity status. Intermediary bodies will also demonstrate good practice through a range of quality frameworks and standards attained which include:- Investor in People status Licensed Practical Quality Assurance Systems for Small Organisation (PQASSO) Mentor PQASSO Level 1 registered Accredited trainers and Workplace Assessors /Verifiers Associate Members and Full Members of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners Central Registered Body in Scotland (CRBS) Signatories for the Voluntary Sector 7. Reporting and monitoring Performance reporting arrangements will be informed by Turning the Tables principles arising from the recent report to the Scotland Funders Forum by Evaluation Support Scotland from the Harmonising Reporting Working Group to regularly evaluate, review and report to funders, stakeholders and the Third Sector. An important part of the evaluation will be feedback from Third Sector organisations and volunteers. This will inform the work and the development of DGVA. There will be an annual report and a mid year Review involving the Third Sector. In addition, regular reviews, in terms of the efficacy and best value of DGVA, will enable the structure to evolve and further develop over the longer term. Benchmarking will be undertaken.

7 7 Any other performance reporting arrangements as required by funders will be adhered to. 8. Financial arrangements DGVA will have a bank account and full and proper accounting records are maintained for the DGVA as determined by statutory requirements and the performance reporting arrangements outlined above 9. Communication Communications Plan DGVA will have a Communications Plan that will use a range of methodologies forums, networks, newsletters, IT, personal contacts etc to engage with all third sector organisations to identify their issues, to establish their views, to ensure that they have the information they need and to support them to contribute to strategic, thematic and operational planning and delivery and to secure feedback. Networking opportunities will also be a priority and national, local and thematic communications will be given due profile. National IT Platform DGVA will adopt the national IT platform as a means of gathering and evaluating standardised data on the Third Sector in Dumfries and Galloway. 10. Contact The single point of contact for DGVA is: Margaret Dowson, Manager Volunteer Action Dumfries & Galloway the hub your Community Action Centre Friars Vennel DUMFRIES DG1 2RL Tel: info@volunteeraction.co.uk