Almost £30,000 could be slashed from funding given to the voluntary sector a year, as the Isle of Wight council looks to tighten its belt.
Town, parish and community councils across the Island are being asked to step in to plug the funding gap instead.
Through the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) support contract, £78,000 a year is given to help support an organisation achieve its charitable aims and assist in the local health and care sector.
Contract with Community Action
The contract has been held by Community Action Isle of Wight since 2018.
In that time, Community Action IW has helped with the Covid pandemic and the vaccination effort, rehoming Ukrainian refugees and runs Island Community Ventures Ltd and the Riverside Centre, in Newport.
Money-making ventures
Through its Island Community Ventures, it operates shops, post offices and amenities including the Godshill Village Shop and Post Office, Scarrots Lane Bakery and post office outreach services in Brading, Wootton and Totland.
More than £700,000 since 2012
The VCSE contract has been in place since 2012 and provided more than £700,000 to support community organisations.
In a letter to the 33 smaller councils on the Island, the Isle of Wight council acknowledges the work the VCSE provides and the support needed for it to be sustainable and effective.
IWC: Funding must be cut
However, with the contract ending in September 2023, the council says the funding cannot remain as large as it is.
The letter states it has been agreed by the leadership team an annual saving of £28,000 must be made.
It would take annual funding down to £50,000, unless the other councils step up to ensure the current level of support remains.
Full review of existing VCSE contract
An Isle of Wight council spokesperson said no decision had been made in relation to the value of any contracts which have expired as they are currently in the budget-setting phase for the next financial year.
They said a full review of the existing VCSE contract specification, cost and performance requirements is being undertaken to ensure the service remains fit for purpose, meets the needs of local voluntary sector organisations and provides value for money.
Continuing to explore how services can be funded
The spokesperson said they continue to explore how services can be funded moving forward and on occasion this includes discussions with partners around joint funding.
The council’s budget will not be agreed until February next year but savings are trying to be found as funding pressures increase.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: Markus Winkler under CC BY 2.0
