Letter to Councillor Mick Barton - Valuing our Community and Voluntary Sector support services

Dear Councillor Barton,

I felt compelled to write as I am extremely concerned about the ongoing financial sustainability of Nottinghamshire’s fantastic community and voluntary sector support services which makes a real difference to people’s lives.

I have been contacted by several voluntary and community sector organisations that will be negatively impacted by both Nottinghamshire County Council’s abolition of the Local Community Fund Large Grant Scheme and the ongoing uncertainty of other long term funding arrangements they have with the County Council. These organisations support the very fabric of our communities - organising, advising, and bringing together the right assistance for our residents.

You recently justified a County Council policy, committing £75,000, to attach flags to lamp posts across the county as ‘fostering community spirit.’ I think we both agree and value the aim of fostering community spirit; however I believe supporting grassroot community and voluntary organisations, that deliver so much in our communities, quite frankly has a much greater effect on our residents than flags do.

Currently, Nottinghamshire CVSs, Citizens Advice and Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire - organisations that have been giving fantastic service to communities across our county for decades - are devastated. Instead of planning services to meet ever-increasing demands, they are being forced to plan to reduce services or abandon valuable projects altogether. 

From valuable experience, we know this is a false economy for Local Government. Services that prevent homelessness or provide benefit and welfare advice, save local councils millions of pounds per year. Organisations that help the most vulnerable in our communities take pressure away from overstretched social services for example. Citizens Advice Central Nottinghamshire, alone, save Nottinghamshire councils £2.7million per year in preventing homelessness. These organisations support jobs, volunteering, and upskilling hundreds of local people, making a massive contribution to our local economy. I have countless examples of the great work these organisations do, and many residents too would be able to retell their stories of support received from such organisations, but if you think spending £75,000 on flags, is better than supporting these organisations, then I implore you to reconsider.

I’m asking that you give careful and urgent consideration to the investment that Nottinghamshire County Council makes across the County. I’m asking that you allow our brilliant and trusted Community based organisations to keep working, making a profound difference to the health and well-being of our most vulnerable communities. I’m asking you, please, re-instate their funding and provide them with the long-term certainty they need and deserve.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Paul Peacock, Leader of the Council