Minutes of Proceedings

The Chairperson declared the meeting open to the public at 10.09am.

1. Apologies

Apologies were as indicated above.

2. Volunteering Infrastructure – Departmental Briefing

The following officials joined the meeting at 10.12am.

• Mr Jack O'Connor, Voluntary and Community Unit, DSD
• Ms Tracey Teague, Head of Voluntary and Community Unit, DSD

The Chairperson advised that the Committee wished to seek further clarity on the Department's planned way forward with the Volunteering Infrastructure, particularly following meetings with representatives from Volunteer Now.

The officials briefed the Committee on the Volunteering Infrastructure.

Members expressed concerns about the 'rebalancing' of the budget for Volunteering Infrastructure and that long established organisations would potentially be negatively impacted as a result of the proposed changes. The officials acknowledged that there would likely be difficulties for some groups but that while the focus was on rebalancing money towards frontline services, organisations would be able to bid for funding through small grants and the innovation fund.

The officials stated that the volunteering strategy steering group would play an important role and that the emphasis was on supporting front line services, but that there would be an evaluation of this in 2014 – 1015.

Members asked if the officials thought that there was currently inadequate cooperation between volunteering organisations. The officials confirmed that they were aiming for greater collaboration between groups; specifically with regards to updating and maintaining the volunteering database.

Pam Brown MLA joined the meeting at 10.37am.

The Chairperson noted that Committee Members broadly agreed with the volunteering strategy, but were concerned at how it would be implemented. The Committee agreed that it would closely monitor the Department's implementation of the strategy.

The officials left the meeting at 10.39am.

This session was recorded by Hansard.

3. AOB

Members asked for clarification on the protocol surrounding the declaration of interests in Committee meetings. The Chairperson noted that Committee staff would provide information on this.

4. Date, time and place of next meeting

The next meeting will take place at 10.00am on Thursday 12 September 2013 in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 10.40am.

Mr Alex Maskey
Chairperson, Committee for Social Development
12 September 2013