Dear all
I think this is a really valuable contribution from Jonathan (even though I did
once have a very good desert which involved tomatoes and very old balsamic
vinegar).
Our position needs to be very clearly that we are not servicing the needs of
local government or indeed any other agencies but are free standing with our
own deep knowledge of society which we will bring to the table sitting as
partners - subordinate in resources but superior in understanding.
A conversation with Clare would be valuable but we need to plan this, so if she
is coming to the Reference Group we need to develop her thinking via individual
conversations before that and also engage with the other key influencers.
From our perspective what we need to deliver is a good understanding of the
sector and a clear demonstration that it can be navigated if you have access to
the right maps!
Regards
Roger
On 5 May 2016, at 13:51, Jonathan Sutton
<Jonathan.Sutton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Michael,
Right, I’ve thought about this a bit more.
Opportunity, opportunity, opportunity.
This is an opportunity, coming as it does hard on the heels of the Peer
Review, to re-set the relationship. I would want to see a conversation that;
· Is forward looking, acknowledging the financial situation as it is,
not how we might want it to be or what is used to be.
· Explores the opportunities the VCS bring to help solve or mitigate
the big problems Worcestershire is having to deal with. We can be clear where
the VCS strengths are; Our undiluted connectivity to ‘the problem’, our
collective data on the clients, our values, volunteers and goodwill be can be
brought to on the problems.
· Understanding the freedoms and constraints of the commissioning
model. Commissioning does not always have to be competitive – there are
legalities and processes but these are man-made and some flexibility can be
created. Let’s explore that space.
· A personal favourite is how we can contribute to understanding (the
problem) thereby creating an appropriate solution not some basket case but
perfectly written and undeliverable contract specification. It’s the
difference betweenintelligence and understanding; ‘Intelligence is knowing a
tomato is a fruit; understanding is not putting it in a fruit salad.’ VCS are
well placed to know about tomatoes and fruit salads. That’s one of our key
strengths.
· We should have our bucket list of ‘problems’ we want to help solve.
Say 3-5 where we think mutual benefit and collaboration can take place,
quickly. EG. There’s is link between early life trauma, poor schooling
(excluded kids), dodgy parenting, homelessness, prison, criminal
justice....how do we get amongst that?
I would ask for facilitation. Essential if we are having round the table
discussion. I saw this in action at one of the H&WB events. A chap (name
escapes me...but Claire ought to know) facilitated the conversation superbly.
He allowed elephants in the room to be ever so gently uncovered and nobody
what injured in the process.
Hope all of that is helpful. Ignore some or all of the above as you see fit.
J
Jonathan Sutton
Chief Executive
St Paul's Hostel
Tallow Hill
Worcester
From: wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
<mailto:wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf Of Michael Hunter (V)
Sent: 04 May 2016 10:49
To: wv-ref-group@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:wv-ref-group@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [wv-ref-group] Re: Fwd: Voices Board
Hi all,
Picking up a few points made by Mark, Doug, Derek, etc
The group who met with the Peer Reviewers made the point about early
involvement very strongly - and this was reflected in the verbal feedback and
so will appear, I'm sure, in the final report of the peer review.
I think Clare (and others) have a particular view of the VCS and do not
understand its diversity. Again (as was raised at the review) the VCS are
seen principally as a Service Providers.
I know that Clare thinks that the VCS should save in back office costs by
combining / centralising - she mentioned that again just last week. I know
some of that happens already but also that the 'back office costs' are
already cut to the bone and it may be difficult to make a case for any
further savings.
I will circulate some proposed dates for another Reference Group meeting
shortly and then explore options with Clare for the following meeting. Watch
out for another email about that.
Best wishes
Michael
Michael Hunter, Chairman, Worcestershire Voices
Supporting an independent and influential Voluntary and Community Sector
michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
www.worcestershirevoices.org.uk <http://www.worcestershirevoices.org.uk/>
01386 41490 07595 099 881
I’m proud to be backing Worcestershire Next Generation.
Visit www.wearethenextgeneration.co.uk
<http://www.wearethenextgeneration.co.uk/> to find out how you can join in
the conversation.
On 04/05/2016 09:14, ChiefExec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:ChiefExec@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Michael
An interesting request. As WCC have moved from being a providing to a
commissioning organisation it is clear that Claire needs to build
relationships with potential providers. However, we must be very clear with
us that co-commissioning where the VCS provide large shares of the money to
fund services must involve the VCS at the outset in the c—design of the
services that are commissioned, rather than WCC alone writing a tender and
then sending it out to VCS. This is w very difficult mind-set for the public
sector to accept, so we must help them once they accept the principle.
Best wishes
Mark
From: wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
<mailto:wv-ref-group-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf Of Michael Hunter
Sent: 03 May 2016 18:39
To: wv-ref-group@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:wv-ref-group@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [wv-ref-group] Fwd: Voices Board
Dear Colleagues
This received this afternoon...
Thoughts please before I respond to Clare??
Best wishes
Michael
Michael Hunter, Chairman, Worcestershire Voices
Supporting an independent and influential Voluntary and Community Sector
michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
www.worcestershirevoices.org.uk <http://www.worcestershirevoices.org.uk/>
01386 41490 07595 099 881
I’m proud to be backing Worcestershire Next Generation.
Visit www.wearethenextgeneration.co.uk
<http://www.wearethenextgeneration.co.uk/> to find out how you can join in
the conversation.
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject:
Voices Board
Date:
Tue, 3 May 2016 14:58:00 +0000
From:
Marchant, Clare (Chief Executive) <CMarchant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<mailto:CMarchant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To:
Michael Hunter (michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>)
<michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<mailto:michael.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
CC:
Kristel, Sander (Res) <SKristel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<mailto:SKristel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Birtwistle, Michelle (Res, PA to
Chief Exec)<MBirtwistle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<mailto:MBirtwistle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Willetts, Luke (CEU)
<LWilletts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> <mailto:LWilletts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Michael
In anticipation of our formal peer review feedback I would like to come to
Voices Board at some point over spring/summer. This would be an opportunity
to look at how the VCS works better with the County Council and vice versa
and we could also use for feedback on our corporate plan, which we are due to
refresh for November Council. Hopefully you feel this would be productive and
if so could you provide Michelle with next few dates to see if we can get one
that works.
Thanks
Clare
Clare Marchant | Chief Executive | Worcestershire County Council
Tel: 01905 766100 | cmarchant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:cmarchant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> | Twitter: @clareworcs
<image001.png>
**********************************************************************
Confidentiality Notice
This message and any attachments are private and confidential and may
be subject to legal privilege and copyright. If you are not the
intended recipient please do not publish or copy it to anyone else.
Please contact us by using the reply facility in your email software
and then remove it from your system.
Disclaimer
Although this email and attachments have been scanned for viruses and
malware, Worcestershire County Council accepts no liability for any
loss or damage arising from the receipt or use of this communication.
Monitoring of Email
Worcestershire County Council may monitor traffic data and the content
of email for lawful business purposes.
**********************************************************************
