New Stoke-on-Trent City Alliance Agreement set to be announced

A new way of working between the local authority and voluntary, community and social enterprise partners to support the people and communities of Stoke-on-Trent is set to be revealed.

The City Alliance Agreement is a new, five-year agreement between Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the city’s local Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) and Faith sector.

The purpose of the agreement is to facilitate a more cohesive and consistent way for the council and partners to support people and communities within the area. With a key element being how the council will work with the voluntary sector to provide additional support for local residents who need help.

As a result of the alliance, the council and VCSE partners will work together to drive forward joint ambitions. These are listed in-depth as part of the council’s new corporate strategy report, the primary focus of which is how the council can provide additional support for local people moving forward and increase the wellbeing of communities.

During the five-year period four overarching priorities for better collaborative working will be focused on;

1. Commissioning & Procurement
2. Communications and Engagement
3. Prevention
4. Volunteering

A report detailing the City Alliance Agreement will be presented as part of the council’s cabinet meeting next week (Tuesday 30 July), where the agreement is expected to receive cabinet approval and become official.

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said: “We are very excited at the possibilities that the City Alliance Agreement will bring. The voluntary sector does tremendous work for so many local residents, and it’s so important that we as a council do anything that we can do to provide extra assistance for these people.

“We have reviewed our approach to community development and the new City Alliance Agreement will provide that platform. By building trust, adhering to agreed principles of working and having shared priorities we can work collaboratively to create thriving, empowered communities across the city and this five-year timeline provides an appropriate period for us to monitor the increased support that we will provide for people who need help the most in this city.

“This agreement has the potential to be life-changing for so many who live in our city, and we are proud that we will be playing a critical role in this process.”

You can read Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s corporate strategy document in its entirety at www.stoke.gov.uk/ourcityourwellbeing.