Purpose

LVET provides support in enabling voluntary and community organisations, including social enterprises, volunteers and other community groups design and deliver a diverse range of health, care and wellbeing services and engage with statutory services for the benefit of residents in Lincolnshire. It is unrealistic for the council to be able to interact meaningfully with the entire sector, therefore, LVET provides a mechanism to support this.

Providing grant funding to LVET recognises that resources in the sector can be limited and that organisations may need financial support to build capacity to take on partnership roles. It also demonstrates commitment to social value principles, recognising the benefits of working together, and that the sector plays a key role in helping to mitigate against the impact of the pressures on health and care.

Decision

To award grant funding to Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team (LVET) for a period of three years between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2027, with an annual value of £65,000.

Alternative options considered

Not to provide funding –The council’s funding is match funded by the Lincolnshire ICB. The absence of 50% of its core funding would make it challenging for LVET to continue to operate at its current capacity. In the absence of LVET, LCC and the ICB would find it more difficult to engage with the VCFSE, due to the absence of a single coordinating voice in the sector.

A shorter grant period – The council has funded LVET on an annual basis since 2020. A period of three years gives LVET a security of income that will support its longer term approach to providing support across the sector to increase resilience, and facilitate collaboration and engagement.