From April 2010 the County Council and public sector partners will be commissioning a new 'Volunteering and Third Sector Support Service'.  The aim of the service is to ensure that Warwickshire's 4,000 third sector organisations have access to high quality support services, and to increase the number of people volunteering in the County.

This service will replace existing funding arrangements with Warwickshire Community And Voluntary Action (WCAVA) and similar organisations totaling around £500,000 per year. 

In September the Council will be inviting bids to run the service from all agencies including the existing providers; and will assess the bids against published criteria. The draft outcomes that the commissioners expect from the service are listed at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/VATSConsultation  The Council is inviting comments on these draft outcomes particularly from third sector organisations, but from any other individuals or agencies with an interest in this service.

Please send any comments via email to Nick Darwen (nickdarwen@warwickshire.gov.uk) by Friday 14th August or by post to Nick Darwen, CWG Directorate, PO Box 9, Shire Hall, Warwick CV34 4RR. All comments will be considered by all the funding partners and the partners will respond to all comments.

When submitting comments please state clearly if you are commenting on behalf of an organisation or network.