This report seeks approval for the direct aware of a contract to Wirral Council for Voluntary Service to deliver a programme of activity to support collaboration between key system partners and the community, voluntary and faith (CVF) sector in Wirral. The contract will enable the supporting of small groups to sustain and grow, neighbourhood working, delivery of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Volunteering and Community Development.

Wirral CVS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) established by and for Wirral’s CVF Sector.  This contract will be a direct award as Wirral CVS is the only organisation in Wirral which has National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) membership.

This proposal will aid delivery of the Wirral Health and Wellbeing 2022-27 strategy to ‘Create a culture of health and wellbeing, listening to residents and working together’ and will contribute directly or indirectly to delivering the following themes of the Wirral Plan:

·  Brighter Futures

·  Inclusive Economy 

·  Safe and Pleasant Communities

·  Active and Healthy Lives

Resolved – that the Director of Public Health has decided to make a direct award of a 12 month contract to Wirral Council for Voluntary Service,  to deliver the outcomes set out in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of the report, of a value  of £140,000 for the period 1^st May 2023 to 30^th April 2024

Wirral is currently the only Local Authority area in the region without any contract to support local CVF sector co-ordination. This poses several risks to the sector and also to the local authority and wider partners.  This contract will enable effective engagement across the sector, to bring revenue into the borough, and to support the CVF sector to enable the delivery of key strategic plans. This contract will support the delivery of Wirral Plan, Wirral Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the newly emerging place-based priorities including the developing neighbourhood’s programme.

A direct award to Wirral CVS is clearly justified by virtue of its unique position being the the only organisation in Wirral which has NAVCA membership and which will be receiving external grant funding for other related activities via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. 

Various options were explored including different financial models the option of not providing any additional investment in this contractual arrangement. These options, although considered, are not recommended as this would risk delivery of local strategic priorities. The option of putting this contract out for competitive tender was considered, however Wirral CVS are the only organisation in Wirral which has National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) membership and will be receiving external grant funding for other related activities via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, therefore this option was discounted