Kingston Council is consulting on it’s proposal to move from awarding grants to Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to commissioning services.

Many residents rely on VCS organisations for help and advice, so ensuring these organisations not only survive but thrive is vital for some of our most vulnerable.  The work they do, the help they give and the ???? is not only cost effective now, but helps prevent problems in the future. In Kingston we need to ensure they are effectively supported to deliver services and advice whenever they are needed.

Whilst I support a commissioning approach for much of this work. For example, the Council essentially pays for a VCS organisation for the service they deliver like day care services for the elderly.  This is a more cost effective and often provides a better service than the council doing itself.  However, for other organisations, commissioning is not so easily defined, so grants are necessary.  I am worried that a one size fits all approach is being taken and it will see some vital local VCS organisations unable to continue.

It is vital that everyone involved in voluntary or community sector work in Kingston gets involved in this consultation.

says Cllr Liz Green, Leader of Liberal Democrat Councillors

The consultation is available on Kingston Council’s website and is open until 14th June 2015.