Council leader pledges to strengthen links with voluntary and community sector

Shropshire’s voluntary and community groups will have an ever more important role as councils continue to evolve, Shropshire Council’s leader said today (Wednesday 1 August 2012).

Initiatives such as the creation of a new council-owned company, the ip&e group, will provide more opportunities for the voluntary and community sector to have a greater impact on Shropshire communities, Councillor Keith Barrow said.

He said:

“Shropshire’s Voluntary Sector plays a fantastically important part in the life of our county.  Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked tremendously hard with Sonia Roberts and the Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly to prepare for the challenges ahead.

“We’re really lucky that thousands of people in towns and villages across the county commit day in, day out to give up their time for others.  Whether it’s giving advice to young people on getting into work, tackling the nightmare of domestic violence, or helping people with disabilities live full and independent lives, the sector is doing amazing work 24/7 across the county.

“I’m absolutely committed to continuing to further strengthen our relationships and can see real opportunities opening up from developments like our new company, the ip&e group, for even more imaginative and creative links to be formed with voluntary groups, social enterprises and charities.  Through events like the recent ‘Dragon’s Den’ event we’re building bridges between businesses and the sector, offering free consultancy expertise, helping secure investment and awareness.”

Chair of the Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly, Sonia Roberts, added:

“I’m really proud to be part of what is a genuine partnership of equals on behalf of the voluntary sector with Shropshire Council.  We’ve taken huge strides over the last year in setting up the Shropshire Providers Consortium, helping voluntary organisations, both small and large, compete effectively for contracts – in Shropshire and beyond.  We’ve also strengthened the assembly with new forums of interest reflecting areas like criminal justice, developed fresh and exciting links with the private sector and helped our members develop skills and capacity.

“I’m really looking forward now to moving from planning to action.  Getting the Shropshire Providers Consortium up and running over the next couple of months will be critical, as will be building good links with the ip&e group, as well as other new organisations and people like the police and crime commissioner to be elected in November.

“It’s been a tough but rewarding journey so far.  We’ll continue to have frank and open discussions, but our shared commitment and vision for the future will, I’m sure, remain resolute.”