The first meeting of the new VCSFE Engagement Group takes place on the 7^{th of} August 2025 between 2-3.30pm.

The link can be found here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87575989913?pwd=UiV40krt6Zd6XDvCNqu30nygCe8PNI.1

 

All are welcome – from all parts of the VCSFE sector in West Northamptonshire. Please note that a similar vehicle exists in North Northamptonshire so if you work within that part of the County ONLY please contact sean.silver@groundwork.org.uk

 

Why do we need a VCSFE Engagement Group:

 

The landscape of West Northamptonshire has never been more complex or challenging. We have new political masters who have yet to take a view on the VCSFE, we have an ICB that is clustering with Leicestershire and Rutland and having to make savings of 10.1 million pounds this year alone, a County that has been squeezed from the Devolution debate and has no natural partners, and a Local Authority attempting to reset Place. What is clear is that Co-Production (how the VCSFE and Communities get involved in service design) and Commissioning for Value are key areas for debate. If we want to move as a collective voice (as far as we can) then we need a place to coalesce around themes, and we need a mandate to write, profile and pressure the system from one place.

 

Will this replace anything that’s existing:

 

The short answer is NO: This will be Governance light and fleet of foot. It will not require a Board or Memberships. People can attend or choose not to. We will not be chasing people with meeting links or minutes: All content and future meetings will take place on our website: www.voluntaryimpact.org.uk under the What’s New Section. You will need to check this page weekly.

 

Why Co-Production and Commissioning:

 

If you were to survey the majority of the VCSFE about Co-Production they would likely respond saying we don’t appear to have been involved when we have the solutions. On Commissioning, individuals regularly state that West Northamptonshire has no legacy, never appears to learn anything about the Commissions, or does the least it can get away with due to time and resource. The argument to use the VCSFE as a stated vehicle for Co-Production and Commissioning is compelling. We live, work, and invest in local communities, have a combined raft of intelligence, and provide value (we are not just cheap).

 

If as a sector we are going to exert system pressure then we need both a base, and an Engagement Body to spring from.

 

Meetings:

 

The meetings will be virtual and last no more than 1.5 hours: We will attempt to have the Chair or Co-Chair of the Assembly present, as the Assembly has a key set of Thematic Groups. Dates and minutes will be published to VINs What’s New Section of the website. Minutes will be circulated to our SAWN colleagues in South Northants Volunteer Bureau and Daventry Volunteers. There will no set Agendas, just an understanding that the two themes are the themes we concentrate on. We will then have a West and North VCSE Engagement mop up to flesh out issues that affect all parties pan county.