Regional Strategic Cross-sector Partnership
Regional Strategic Cross-sector Partnership for the Third Sector
Terms of reference
Role
A Regional Strategic Cross-sector Partnership for the Third Sector in the South East currently financially supported by ChangeUp. The partnership will focus not only on ChangeUp but also on developing a strategic influential role with public sector partners. It will provide the opportunity for the Third Sector and Public Agencies to meet together for mature debate and strategic dialogue. It will reflect the benefits, contribution and aspirations of the sector and champion and support the role of the Third Sector in the South East.
Purpose
- To strengthen regional cross-sector partnership working to maximise available resources and ensure effective delivery.
- To ensure regional stakeholders, including perspectives from the Third Sector, statutory sector (especially local authorities and health), and specialist sectors are appropriately reflected and represented.
- Understand and take account of the social and political content and structures which impact on the Third Sector and the constantly changing environment in which we work.
- Develop intelligence about the Third Sector role and impact.
- Understand and influence the sector's role in engaging with the public policy agenda at a national, regional and local level; and sector links to local government.
- Where appropriate to consider and support Regional Infrastructure Organisation (RIO) priorities for the development of regional Third Sector support services in the region.
- Ensure that these regional plans are integral to other regional strategies, support Local Infrastructure Development Plans and that the principle of subsidiarity applies as appropriate.
- Ensure that this strategic approach is reflected at all levels and in all agencies in the region.
- Support the Third Sector relationship with Capacitybuilders and advise on Capacitybuilders strategic priorities in the region.
- Explore opportunities, where appropriate, that exist through European funding to support the Third Sector in the South East.
- To develop a Partnership Business Plan and review progress and outcomes of this Plan.
- To ensure that Good Practice is shared across the region.
Membership
- Chaired by Third Sector representative, agreed by partnership members. Secretariat to be provided by RAISE.
- Regional Organisations: GOSE, SEEDA, Big Lottery Fund, RAISE, SERCC, UNI (BME network) SEVSFF, LSC, SEERA, Job Centre Plus, Strategic Health Authorities.
- Local Authorities: to be represented at county, district, urban, rural and unitary level.
- Local Voluntary and Community Sector Consortia representatives, represented at sub regional level.
Membership will be reviewed regularly and at least annually to ensure that it remains representative of the sector and wider stakeholders.
Requirements for consortium members are:
- Ability and enthusiasm to help shape the relationship between the Third Sector and Public Agencies and support the development of robust Third Sector support services across the region.
- To bring a perspective to the meetings that will help develop a collective voice to move work forward and not to merely represent or further the interests of their own organisation.
- Responsibility for and ability to communicate information about the SRP work to and from the groups they reflect in the region.
- Ability to commit up to half a day per month on consortium business and for at least one year.
- A good grasp of the needs and challenges of the SE region.
- Respect for issues of confidentiality in conducting Partnership business according to the Conflict of Interest document.
Meetings
- Meetings to be held quarterly and an annual conference.
- Decisions will be consensus based.
- The Chair, in consultation with other members and the Secretariat, will agree all agendas. All papers for discussion and minutes of meetings to be made available, where possible, to an agreed timeline, as agreed by the partnership.
- Minutes will be available on the Secretariat's web-site
- Members will agree to any necessary 'declarations of interests' in the conduct of the partnerships affairs.
November 2008
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DOCUMENT
Introduction
The Strategic Regional Partnership's procedures need to be open, honest and transparent. To this end we acknowledge the importance of the Seven Principles of Public Life established by the Nolan Committee. These are:
Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
Download the Regional Strategic Cross-sector Partnership for the Third Sector Terms of Reference in PDF format. [Opens in a new window.]
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