Contents

VCS Strategic
Representation
and Influence
MVSC plays a
key roles in
representing the
sector. We also
support elected
sector
representatives on a range of strategic
partnership boards. These currently include the
Merton Partnership, Health and Wellbeing Board,
Economic Wellbeing Group, the Children’s Trust,
Sustainable Communities and Transport
Thematic Partnership, Safer and Stronger
Communities Thematic Partnership and the
Compact Board. This strong level of engagement
and representation has led to Merton achieving
many awards in recent years for its positive
approach to partnership working.
MVSC was historically funded to run the
Community Empowerment Network as a route to
securing VCF representatives on a range of
partnership structures in the borough. Funding for
this expired in March 2013 and since this time,
MVSC have found it hard to meet the demands
for this service without dedicated resource. The
demand for representatives is increasing with new
structures such as the Adult Safeguarding Board
and the Violence Against Women and Girls
Partnership. We are now allocating some
resources to improving VSC representation.
Key aims for 2015-16
Develop and implement MVSC’s Strategic Plan:
Reshape our development, volunteering, training
and membership services.
Focus on MVSC’s and the sector’s sustainability
by considering diverse income generation
activities and asset management
Support improved VCS and cross-sector
collaborative working and partnerships
Launch VCS Annual Conference.
Fund management:
We will continue to administer funding programmes
on behalf of funders such as the Local Authority and
Circle Housing Merton Priory. These include the
Merton Partnership VCS Fund, Public Health’s East
Merton Fund and the Merton Community Fund.
Refresh and revitalise INVOLVE for VCS strategic
representation:
We will organise and facilitate the INVOLVE Network
to enable sector engagement and sharing of
information and expertise, in addition to engaging
and consulting with public bodies. We will also review
the INVOLVE Network, run elections and support
representatives, ensuring the quality of
representation and influence is maintained to a high
standard in Merton.