Leisure: EQIA OF THIRD SECTOR COMMISSIONING February 2011
Introduction
This EQIA looks at the Active and Connected commissioning workstream which follows on from the 2008 - 11 grants to commissioning programme (G2C) that finishes in March 2011 under Leisure commissioned programmes.
Background
Appendix A lists all the proposals for review or reduction of third sector provision commissioned by Leisure in 2010/11, future intentions for 2011/12 as known at February 2011, and the equalities impact of each proposal. This includes proposals to terminate, reduce or review contracts as a result of Government reductions in funding to the Council. Some contracts were terminated during the 3 year commissioning period and all contracts will end in March 2011.
For those contracts where a reduction in funding will have a potentially negative impact on equalities, we have also indicated the action being taken to reduce the negative impact is also listed.
The Grants to Commissioning programme has been running for 3 years. The overall programme has been successful with Third Sector contractors delivering to target outputs and outcomes and in some cases over achieving targets. The programme has significantly increased community engagement and participation amongst local residents particularly around services for older people and disadvantaged groups in Newham. This is evidenced through outputs and outcomes achieved.
Strategic Commissioning
The council has been moving towards a strategic commissioning model based on the Sustainable Community Strategy with the Active and Connected theme as pilot commissioning programme. To inform the commissioning priorities strategic outcomes have been identified based on the Active Communities and Peoples Strategy. Additionally, information from the previous G2C programme has monitoring data which has informed draft service specifications
To support this change in approach, the Executive Director for ACL has been holding meetings with Third Sector organisations over the past six months and wrote to organisations in December 2010 who have a contract with ACL to advise them of future funding challenges. Meetingswerealso held with individual voluntary sector organisationsto discuss changes to future funding and to kept organisations updated on timescales and impacts of funding.
Impact of commissioning decisions on the Grants to Commissioning programme
Leisure intends to carry forward a new Active and Connected Commissioning programme across the borough, though the level of funding available has only now been agreed following the Councils budget strategy being formally adopted. This process has meant there is a significant delay in undertaking new commissioning programmes to ensure there is a transition between G2C and the new programme. As a result, mitigating actions have been agreed with a range of organisations who are presently delivering services, which if ended on the 31st March, could have a negative impact on specific equality groups. Appendix A sets out plans for extending existing contracts with: Community Links, Age Concern, Trinity, East Potential, Royal Docks Learning Centre, Urban Development, Theatre Royal and East London Dance.
Although a new Active and Connected commissioning programme is scheduled to start in July 2011, and many of the current providers are likely to be bidding into the programme, account must be taken of the Comprehensive Spending Review and the need to find savings on all services. In this context, overall, there will be less resources to all residents and by definition to equalities groups. As mentioned above, appendix A below sets out a number of mitigating actions to try and resolve these adverse effects.
In addition the Active Communities and People Strategy, of which the commissioning programme is based on, is relevant to each of the eight protected characteristics. In terms of mitigating adverse effects the strategy is intended to promote the potential of all residents and will advance equal opportunity and foster good relations between groups. Furthermore, there is no risk that the strategy might worsen relations between groups.
Action Plan
- Responsible officers to monitor impact on any equality groups when reviewing contracts, particularly those due to end in July 2011, and where possible, consult stakeholders,
- Equalities impacts to be reviewed when decisions on funding are taken by external funders – e.g. Arts Council funding decisions will be known in April for those organisations delivering arts activities
- Ensure Community Spaces Review now underway takes account of requirements for these services when determining where public services will be based in community forum areas.
APPENDIX A: LEISURE Third Sector Commissioning 2010/11 and 2011/12 EQIA Impact Analysis
Ref. No. / Provider Organisation details / Award 20010/11 vs 2011/12 / Notes / Potential negative impact if any and group affected. Evidence source. / Mitigating action to reduce negative impactGRANTS TO COMMISSIONING PROGRAMME FOR NEWHAM RESIDENTS
Age Concern (consortium) Older People’s Health Activity Networks NE and NW quadrants / £155,540
£27,210 for three months to July 2011 / Existing contract runs to March 2011. Other contract with Adults links to older people’s prevention / Potential adverse impact on older people due to ending of programme and will include a range of other equality groups like women and ethnic groups.
Evidence from monitoring reports / Negotiate an extension of the exiting contract by 3 months within present budget framework
Third sector organisations including Age Concern will be invited to bid under the Active and Connected commissioning programme which will offer services around wellbeing and prevention.
Further services around volunteering and supporting vulnerable adults will also be tendered.
Older people’s residents group will also be encouraged to apply to the go for it grants programme linked to activities particularly around health and well being.
East Potential (consortium) Older People’s Health Activity Networks SE and SW quadrants / £147,460
£25,805 for three months to July 2011 / Existing contract runs to March 2011 / Potential adverse impact on older people due to ending of programme and will include a range of other equality groups like women and ethnic groups
Evidence from monitoring reports / Negotiate an extension of the exiting contract by 3 months within present budget framework
Third sector organisations including East Potential will be invited to bid under the active and Connected commissioning programme which will offer services around wellbeing and prevention.Further services around volunteering and supporting vulnerable adults will also be tendered.
Older people’s residents group will also be encouraged to apply to the go for it grants programme linked to activities particularly around health and well being.
Community Links Community Activates NW and SW quadrants / £63,630
£11,135 for three months to July 2011 / Existing contract runs to March 2011 Community Links have a range of other contracts across Adults and CYPS. In Leisure they also have the contract for City Farm / Potential adverse impact on all residents and the equalities groups involved in the programme due to ending of contract.In particular, a negative impact for young people due to a range of programmes within the commission supporting that group.
Evidence from monitoring reports / Negotiate an extension of the exiting contract by 3 months within present budget framework
Third sector organisations including Community Links will be invited to bid under the active and Connected commissioning programme. Support will be offered to community organisations and residents to develop community based enterprises of which some equalities groups might well avail of
Further services around volunteering and supporting vulnerable adults will also be tendered.
Community organisations representing communities of interest will also be encouraged to apply to the for go for it grants programme linked to activities providing the project demonstrates inclusiveness
East London Dance: dance classes, workshops and performances, primarily with young people but also adults and older people. Also Community Activities NW and SE Quadrants. / £18,180 and
£45,450
£5,681 three months to July 2011 / Existing contract runs to March 2011 and key Arts contract being extended until July. / Potential adverse impact on participants involved in the programme due to ending of programme. In particular young people. Due to the nature of the organisation services there are presently limited opportunities to sustain levels of participation whilst the organisation seeks alternative external funding.
Also a negative impact for older people with the termination of the ‘Leap of Faith’ group and people with learning disabilities with the termination of the ‘Kicking Kangaroo’ club.
Evidence from monitoring reports / Negotiate an extension of the exiting contract by 3 months within present budget framework
Support will be offered to community organisations and residents to develop community based enterprises of which some equalities groups involved in the arts might well avail of. East London Dance can be assisted in seeking funding from Adult Social care for particular user groups.
Iroko Theatre Company NW and SW quadrants / £18,180
£0 / Current contract terminates in March. No future music/dance commission envisaged. / Potential adverse impact on participants involved in the programme due to ending of programme. In particular young people. However due to other theatre provision in the borough there are opportunities for young people to continue activities if the project ceases to operate
Evidence from monitoring reports / Support will be offered to community organisations and residents to develop community based enterprises of which some equalities groups involved in the arts might well avail of.
Iroko will also be encouraged to apply to the for go for it grants programme linked to activities providing the project demonstrates inclusiveness
Royal Docks Learning Centre: Community Activities / £45,450
£9,898 three months to July 2011 / Existing contract runs to March 2011 RDLT have other funding from the Royal Docks Trust and have understood the potential impact of reduced resources and have made plans towards sustainability through increased income charges / Potential adverse impact on all residents and the equalities groups involved in the programme due to ending of contract.
Evidence from monitoring reports / RDLT are likely to bid under the under the active and Connected commissioning programme.
Theatre Royal: production of shows and performances and drama based educational activities for young people. The bulk of Theatre Royal’s funding comes from the Arts Council and decisions on future funding are awaited. / £303,000
£287,000 / Existing contract extended to July ’11. Likely that further funding will continue via a separate funding agreement rather than a commission. / N/A / N/A
Urban Development: music development for young people including training and access to music industry networks and careers. / £55,550
£6.943three months to July 2011 / Current contract extended to July, although at reduced level of funding. No specific music commission will be available from July onwards. / Particular negative impact for young black people who are the principal users of this service. Reduced music activity and reduced access to the music industry for this group.
Evidence from monitoring reports / Alternative provision may be available through new CYPS commissions and organisation may be able to access funds through sustainable community commission.
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£0 / Current contract terminates in March. No future drama-specific commission envisaged. / Organisation works with all sections of Newham’s communities, though likely to be particular negative impact for young people.
Evidence from monitoring reports / Alternative provision may be available through new CYPS commissions and organisation may be able to access funds through sustainable community commission.
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£0 / Current contract terminates in March. No future children‘s arts specific commission envisaged. / Particular negative impact for young children due to reduction in levels of service, though service will continue to be available.
Evidence from monitoring reports / Officers to work with Discover to seek alternative sources of funding and/or income generation.
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£5,681 three months to July 2011 / Existing contract runs to March 2011 with contract being extended until July. / Potential adverse impact on all residents and the equalities groups involved in the programme due to ending of contract
Evidence from monitoring reports / Trinity Centre are likely to bid under the under the active and Connected commissioning programme.
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£0. / Current contract terminates in March. / Potential adverse impact on all residents and the equalities groups involved in the programme due to ending of contract
Evidence from monitoring reports / Conflict and Change could apply for any further commissions and work from the Safer Newham theme although no funding has yet been identified. Opportunities for accessing external funding streams. Could be developed
Newham Community Recycling: recycling activities in Newham / £50,000
£0. / Current contract terminates in March. / Potential adverse impact on all residents and the equalities groups involved in the programme due to ending of contract
Evidence from monitoring reports / Newham Community Recycling could apply for any further commissions and work from the Safer Newham theme although no funding has yet been identified. Opportunities for accessing external funding streams could be developed.