This briefing will be updated as we receive new information. The latest version can be downloaded from Manchester Community Central Cuts Pages.
Manchester City Council (MCC) announced some revisions in its original budget options on 8 January. This update covers the revisions that impact on the direct funding of voluntary and community sector organisations (VCSOs).
MCC is using £9 million from a dividend of £11 million from Manchester Airports Group to support its revenue budget in 2015/16, allowing a reduction in the savings required.
Additionally MCC is now intending to set a budget for one year only in the hope that there may be a change in the central government funding for local authorities in 2016/17.
Revisions that Impact the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS)
| Original Options | Revised Option | |
| Equalities Grant | 60% or 100% cut | No cut |
| Voluntary Sector Support (Infrastructure) | 55% or 100% | 11% |
| Advice | 50% or 75% | 50% |
| Cash Grants | 33% or 100% | 33% |
Targeted Parenting Interventions
The original option for cuts was £1.12 million. The revised option is £500,000, a difference of £620,000. The extent of the impact on the funding for VCS organisations is unknown.
Youth and Play Services
The original option for cuts was £2.17 million. The revised option is £1.433 million, a difference of £737,000. The Youth and Play Fund is protected.
Housing Related Support Services and Domestic Violence
Funding of £186,000 is to be retained for domestic violence services but it is unknown how much of this funding will remain in the VCS.
Short Breaks
The original option for cuts was £416,000. It is now £316,000 a difference of £100,000. Approximately a third of short break providers are VCS organisations.
Consultation and Impact Assessment
The consultation period has been extended to February 1 and there is a new survey to cover the revised options, available on MCC’s website here.
Impact assessment forms must be filled in by February 1. Guidance can be found here.
The revisions are still options and final decisions have not yet been taken. Many of the original options for cuts to VCS services have not changed. Organisations should continue to lobby.
Further information as we get it will be published in the weekly ebulletin and on our cuts webpages – link above.
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Please send comments, additions, and corrections on this briefing to [email protected]