Chance for voluntary groups to shape new Haringey Council buildings policy

The council wants to put in place a process so that key services VCS organisations are “recognised” and “valued”, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Haringey Council wants to hear from the voluntary and community sector (VCS) on how to best lease its buildings.

On Tuesday (20th) the council is holding a workshop at The Engine Room in Tottenham Hale, from 12pm-3pm, and is inviting people involved with VCS organisations in the borough to take part.

It comes after a decision by the council in March to redesign its approach to leasing council buildings to VCS organisations occupying or seeking to occupy them.

A new process will be put in place so that key services VCS organisations provide will be “recognised” and “valued”. This includes rent charges being off-set.

The council explained: “The discount an organisation can be rewarded or qualify for will be determined by the social value it contributes, measured by objective criteria.”

How social value will be measured and recognised, and how leases will be organised, are issues on the agenda to be discussed at tomorrow’s workshop.

What qualifies as a VCS organisation to receive a discount on its lease and the key issues such organisations are likely to face are also included.

Issues could be the length of leases, responsibility for maintenance and repairs, and relations with the council.

This event has been organised by the council in collaboration with its VCS strategic partner, Haringey Community Collaborative. This event is the second in an ongoing engagement process.

Following the workshops, a survey of the sector will be carried out to further inform feedback.

For further information and to take part in the consultation:
Visit Haringey VCS Forum – August 2024

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