Stoke-on-Trent City Alliance Agreement Officially Signed

Stoke-on-Trent City Council and VAST, the Local Infrastructure Organisation for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector in the city, have signed a landmark agreement.

The agreement will ensure stronger support for local people and communities. 

The City Alliance Agreement is a partnership between the Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the city’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. Initially setting our priorities for the first five years, the intention is to establish a long-term framework for cross sector collaboration. 

The agreement continues the strong working relationship between the local authority and VCSE partners in the city and sets out a series of principles of working together that will aid more effective cross sector joint working. This signing will cement the collaboration between the council and the VCSE Sector, as well as acting as a statement of intent for future plans. 

Indeed, the starting gun has previously been fired on the work required to fulfil the joint ambitions of the parties, with over 100 VCSE organisations now engaged with the Alliance, but with the signing of this agreement, both the council and the VCSE partners draw ever closer to improving delivery in the initial focus areas of commissioning and procurement, communications and engagement, prevention, and volunteering. The Alliance will ensure this work will now be carried out in a more cohesive and consistent way, to improve local communities and to help local residents in urgent need. 

Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "We are very pleased that the City Alliance Agreement is confirmed to be signed. 

“This agreement has been a long time coming, and all involved should be proud of their efforts to deepen a commitment that will bring tremendous support to so many people in the city. 

"Because this is a long-term vision, we will be taking the time to ensure that the assistance provided to those who need it the most will be of the highest possible calibre. 

“We will also be demonstrating our commitment to the VCSE sector by offering new methods of support, as well as listening to their ideas of how to improve the methods currently in place. 

“The VCSE sector has a huge impact on the lives of a large number of local residents, and we aim to help them even more moving forward. 

"We believe that the lives of many local residents will significantly improve as a result of this agreement, and the work is set to begin shortly to bring about positive change." 

Lisa Healings, Chief Executive of VAST, said “By working together with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the VCSE City Alliance signifies a powerful commitment by both the voluntary sector and City Council, a partnership that is transparent, open, and honest, and built on a foundation of empowerment, mutual respect, inclusivity, and equality. 

“Through collaboration and adhering to the commitments of the Alliance we can work together to improve our local communities and the lives of those in them.”

To find out more about the VCSE City Alliance please visit https://vast.org.uk/stoke-on-trent-vcse-city-alliance/  

To read Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s corporate strategy document in its entirety, please visit www.stoke.gov.uk/ourcityourwellbeing