Reading to Launch Three-Year Voluntary Sector Partnership Plan

A new framework governing how Reading Borough Council collaborates with local community groups is set for final approval this month. The proposed Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Partnership Agreement 2026-29 aims to formalize shared goals, values, and operational expectations between the local authority and the town’s diverse network of voluntary organizations.

Event Details and Public Participation

The agreement is scheduled for review and formal adoption during the upcoming Reading Borough Council Policy Committee meeting. As a public meeting, residents and representatives from local community groups are invited to observe the proceedings to understand how this framework will shape local service delivery over the next three years.

• Date: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
• Venue: Reading Borough Council
• Cost: Free
• Format: Public Policy Committee Meeting

Strategic Goals for 2026-29

This partnership serves as a successor to the previous three-year agreement signed in 2023, which facilitated approximately £14 million in funding for local initiatives. The new plan aligns with the national Civil Society Covenant, introduced by the government last year, and focuses on several key areas of cooperation designed to improve the quality of life for Reading residents.

Key pillars of the agreement include:

• Funding and Grants: Continued support for established schemes such as the Closing the Gap initiative and the Small Grants Fund.
• Resource Access: The Council intends to launch a dedicated portal for VCS groups to identify funding opportunities and create a clearer route for organizations to identify potential accommodation needs through council-owned assets.
• Community Development: The agreement mandates Public Health training for relevant voluntary groups and establishes a collaborative approach to furthering the Council’s adopted Anti-Racism statement.

A Collaborative Approach to Local Services

Council leaders emphasize that the partnership is designed to leverage the specialized knowledge of local groups, particularly in reaching residents who may be harder for the Council to engage directly. The agreement acknowledges the current financial climate, noting that the Council must continue to balance competing priorities and ongoing demand pressures while maintaining support for the voluntary sector.

Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) has co-produced the agreement alongside VCS leaders, ensuring that the voices of frontline organizations are represented in the final document. The action plan included within the agreement is subject to regular review, allowing for adjustments as the needs of Reading’s residents evolve over the next three years. This iterative process is intended to ensure that the partnership remains responsive to the town’s changing requirements rather than remaining static throughout its duration.

Source: Reading Borough Council News