HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-063 - Community Investment Strategy Tier 1 Value for Money Audit - Social Planning CouncilREPORT
REPORT TO:
Community Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
November 16, 2009
SUBMITTED BY:
Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services
PREPARED BY:
Ingrid Pregel, Manager, Cultural Development (Ext. 3383)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
N/A
DATE OF REPORT: November 10, 2009
REPORT NO.:
CSD-09-063
SUBJECT:
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT STRATEGY TIER 1 VALUE
FOR MONEY AUDITS FOLLOW UP - SOCIAL PLANNING
COUNCIL OF KITCHENER-WATERLOO
RECOMMENDATION:
That notice be given to Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo (SPCKW) that
effective January 1, 2010 it will receive an annual grant in the amount of $69,000
including $43,000 to support the Community Information Service, $16,000 to build
technical and staff capacity to meet the needs of 211 Ontario and $10,000 to support the
operation of Festival of Neighbourhoods; and further,
That staff be instructed to work with the SPCKW to develop a one year Tier 1 grant
agreement.
BACKGROUND:
At its August 11, 2008 meeting Council approved report CSD-08-070 that provided funding
recommendations for 10 annual grant recipients in Table A: Funding Recommendations for
Existing Annual Grant Recipients Who Do Not Meet Tier 1 Criteria. The recommendation for
Leadership Waterloo Region and Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo was “Value for
money review to be done in 2009 by CoK internal auditor”. Value for money reviews were
completed and report CSD-09-036 was considered by Council. Staff was instructed to hold
further dialogue with Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo in respect to the timing of
the proposed reduction in grant funds and how the City will partner with the SPCKW going
forward. On September 14, 2009 Community Service Committee considered report CSD-09-
046 and instructed staff to review with SPCKW the services and activities provided to confirm
those that should be part of the City’s Tier 1 grant for 2010. This report presents the results of
this dialogue.
REPORT:
Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo
provides the Community Information Service
and a variety of social planning services.
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Policy I-525 Community Investment approved by Council on November 24, 2008 provides the
rationale for Tier 1 grants. In part the policy states “… Tier 1, called foundational or core
services, comprise services that are considered by the community to be essential to a healthy
and vibrant community and are provided by longstanding, credible organizations.”
Community Services staff believe the community expects access to Community Information
Services as part of the community’s core services. Staff recommends the City enter into an
agreement with the SPCKW annually to support the Community Information Services. An
amount of $43,000 is recommended for the year 2010, to come into effect beginning January 1,
2010.
The remaining portion of the City’s grant has been used historically by SPCKW to support social
planning work. Staff acknowledges the importance of social planning in our community and also
appreciates that this function is the responsibility of the Regional Municipality and the social
agencies it funds in support of its social service mandate. One of the objectives of the
Community Investment Strategy project was to ensure City of Kitchener grants are focused on
services that are the City’s core responsibility. Policy I-525 Community Investment approved by
Council on November 24, 2008 provides the rationale for Tier 1 grants. In part the policy states
“….must be the responsibility of the City of Kitchener, i.e. not be the responsibility of other levels
of government”.
During the additional dialogue between staff and SPCKW, SPCKW provided further details on
how the City of Kitchener’s Tier 1 grant has been allocated among the organization’s programs
and services historically. Of the various activities that fall broadly under a category SPCKW
calls “Social Planning and Community Information Development” staff has identified Festival of
Neighbourhoods as an important program focused on City of Kitchener neighbourhoods that is
closely aligned with Council’s priorities. Staff recommends $10,000 be granted to SPCKW
specifically to support resources dedicated to the operations of Festival of Neighbourhoods for
2010.
SPCKW is in the process of completing some development work to improve its capacity to
provide community data through the 211 Ontario program. SPCKW staff resources need to be
allocated to this priority to support such activities as the accreditation process, website
development, data formatting, etc. Staff recommends a grant of $16,000 be provided in 2010
specifically to support the upgrading necessary for 211 Ontario.
It is anticipated that 211 Ontario will have developed agreements with local data providers
(presumably SPCKW) at some time during 2010 and that financial arrangements between the
province and data providers will be resolved. Staff recommends a one year Tier 1 Community
Grants agreement be entered into with SPCKW for 2010.
SPCKW has requested an additional amount of $19,000 be provided in 2010 for the following
purpose:
Community Engagement Outcome Measurement
reporting on our service outcomes
to provide an objective measure of Kitchener as a community where residents are
engaged and active in decision-making about local issues. Over the course of 2010, this
will include at least ten SPCKW community engagement events with a diversity of
populations.
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Through the established community planning cycle involving Compass Kitchener and, in the
current year, Environics Research Group, staff has planned to receive input from the community
regarding local priorities in general and, specifically, “leadership and community engagement”.
Following the community survey, staff will embark on a broad community consultation that will
further illuminate residents’ involvement in and expectations for engagement in local decision
making. Additional external third party input on community engagement is not a priority at this
time.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
SPCKW will receive a total grant of $69,000 ($43,000 Community Information Service, $10,000
Festival of Neighbourhoods and $16,000 211 Ontario Upgrade) for 2010.
Reducing the SPCKW grant by $17,000 (compared with the 2008 grant amount) will result in
$17,000 being available in the Community Grants budget for reallocation to other purposes.
COMMUNICATIONS:
City Staff has met with Senior staff and Board Chair of Social Planning Council of Kitchener-
Waterloo on a number of occasions to discuss the 2010 grant. SPCKW is aware of this staff
recommendation and is not in agreement with it.
CONCLUSION:
The Community Grants program plays a key role in the Community Investment strategy of the
City. The recommendations contained in this report are part of the ongoing process to align
grants and other support for not for profit groups with Council’s priorities and provide
consistency in the applications of the Community Investment Policy.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services
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