Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Digital Support Fund
Report of the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment & Healthy Communities and Director of Public Health
Minutes:
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Consideration has been given to an increase in the funding for the VCSE Digital Support Fund to that previously agreed by Cabinet on 14 September 2021 (Minute C65), which will provide the opportunity for digital transformation for VCSE agencies and their beneficiaries. |
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RESOLVED - |
(i) |
That the funding of the VCSE Digital Support Fund be increased by the amount set out in report. |
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(ii) |
That additional investment be used to support the digital transformation element of the fund. |
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The above decisions have been made for the following reasons: |
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(A) |
Gateshead has a long history of recognising the significant contribution of the VCSE in delivering many benefits for Gateshead people; enabling VCSE activity is key to maximising our collective impact for the benefit of Gateshead residents. |
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(B) |
The digital transformation of VCSE agencies and their beneficiaries supports many of the Council’s policy objectives. |
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(C) |
This proposal has been developed in consultation with Connected Voice and builds on intelligence they gathered during a recent Digital Sprint. |
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(D) |
The coronavirus pandemic has intensified the digital divide for our residents and for some of our VCSE agencies. If we do not address this there’s a risk some agencies will be left behind and unable to reach their full potential both in terms of their organisational growth and sustainability but also reducing potential their impact in the very communities the Council seeks to support. |