National voice, local impact.

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Reporting and Monitoring
updated 13 February 2012

We have produced a collective report which summarises the material contained within the returns submitted to the Scottish Government by each of the 32 Interfaces, covering the period April to September 2011. The report draws attention to the commonalities and to the case studies which demonstrate the impact of TSI work.

Based on the feedback given in the monitoring forms, our working group, the Scottish Government and Evaluation Support Scotland, we have further developed the framework for Interfaces to report on activities and outcomes at the end of the financial year.

The collective report and the improved reporting framework are now available on our website.

Please submit your report on the survey monkey by 30 April 2012. Click here for the survey monkey.

Funding Formula Proposal Consultation Responses – Executive Summary
updated 13 February 2012

22 responses were received. All acknowledged that the development of a new formula that would be acceptable to all is is not an easy task. Given the importance placed on this topic by most TSI areas and the potential impact (that is, it affects them directly), it is assumed that those who did not respond have no particular issue with the proposed method of distribution and would support its implementation.

15 of the 22 (70%) who responded did so positively, stating that the proposal is fair and well thought through and that they are happy to support it.

It was suggested that the proposal should consider some measure of workload – for example “specific social enterprise development was not funded previously, and no additional resources were given (in fact, we faced a cut between last year and this year), yet we are now expected to do this whilst facing increased demand across the board”.

More than one TSI commented that if the new formula is considered to be fairer than the current system, it should be applied regardless of the amount of funding received.

Depending on where in the country the respondent was located, there was a tendency to cite favouritism towards other parts of the country. This is inevitable, and has resulted in our network failing to find an agreeable formula in the last 10+ years.

In developing the proposal, many variations, measures and examples were considered. There are other measures which would have been good to use, but there’s no reliable benchmark data to use; for example third sector demand, or workload as mentioned above. Therefore, it was inevitable that statistical measures used by others were going to feature, for example the SIMD measures for multiple deprivation. Whilst recognised by statutory bodies, TSI colleagues in those areas where their locality didn’t feature highly in SIMD terms were in strong disagreement with its use.

Various TSIs cited the following as unfair:
1.Not enough consideration given to issues facing island service delivery;
2.Not enough consideration given to areas with large populations and widespread poverty;
3.Not enough consideration given to rural areas;
4.Not enough consideration given to unique circumstances in their area (e.g. population growth, population decline, low average income, declining industry etc).

Most TSIs were able to quote statistics, trends or sociological issues that they felt meant their area should get more resource. All of these arguments have merit, but at the end of the day, a single, balanced method is required to reflect the variety of needs and issues across the country. The clear majority of TSIs who responded consider the proposed formula to do this.

Therefore, based on this consultation, the TSI network believes the VAS Funding Formula Proposal to be a better way of distributing Scottish Government funding to TSIs.

Invitation to quote - Training Needs Analysis
updated 06 February 2012

Voluntary Action Scotland (VAS) invites organisations to quote for the delivery of a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) for the network of Scotland’s 32 Third Sector Interfaces.

VAS seeks a suitably competent provider to undertake a Training Needs Analysis of Scotland’s TSIs. The TNA will serve to influence VAS’s training and support provision in 2012/13 and beyond.

The successful provider will work with TSIs and VAS to develop a TNA identifying skills gaps and development needs.

Invitation document with specifications and requirements
Closing date for submissions: 12noon, Friday 24th February 2012.
Please e-mail your quotation to info@voluntaryactionscotland.org.uk

Scottish Government Position on Funding Allocation for TSI
updated 16 December 2011

In light of the consultation by VAS on the funding formula used to determine the allocation of funding of third sector interfaces, I would like to set out the Scottish Government position on the future budget allocation for the interface network.

While the revised funding formula is predicated on a budget of £9m being made available to third sector interfaces from the next financial year, this should not be seen as an indication that the Scottish Government has made such a financial commitment.

Future funding decisions for our third sector partners are currently being discussed in the context of the current known economic challenges and final agreements are likely to be made in the early part of next year.

Therefore, third sector interface colleagues should be aware that the current budget of £8m may not be increased.

Denise Swanson
Head of Strategy, Engagement and Infrastructure
Third Sector Division
Scottish Government

Funding Distribution Consultation
updated 16 December 2011

As promised at the Network Conference in October, we have produced a paper on the possible future distribution of TSI funding and are now sharing this with you.

Funding Distribution Consultation Paper

The purpose of this paper is to consult with the network to determine if our thinking is in line with the expectations of the network.

We are very keen to have your interface's views on the direction of travel proposed in the paper. This will allow us to make any necessary amendments before asking interfaces to vote on whether we put it to Government as our preferred way forward as a network.

Closing date for comments: 5pm, Friday 13th January 2012.
Please e-mail your interface's feedback to vicky@voluntaryactionscotland.org.uk

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