Issue - meetings

This report outlines steps that the Council will take to promote volunteering and its benefits to staff and residents.  

Resolved: (i) That the new Volunteering Policy, as set out in Annex 2 of the Officer’s report, for the City of York Council be adopted.

                (ii) That the Volunteer Managers’ Network workplan be approved.

                (iii) That the Executive Member receive an update report on progress in 12 month’s time.

Reason:       To ensure compliance with the York Charter for Volunteering and to enable the Council to offer and promote a strong volunteering culture for its employees and residents.

The Executive Member asked Officers whether other external voluntary sector organisations that had an interest in volunteering, were involved within the Volunteer Managers’ Network, as he felt some of the smaller voluntary organisations could pick up knowledge by being part of the network. It was stated that the network was currently an internal forum but membership could look to include external organisations.  

He added that volunteering was an untapped resource and that he wished to double the number of Local Authority staff volunteers and to simplify the process of volunteering.

In response to comments raised by the public speaker in relation to insurance for volunteering, Officers informed the Executive Member that that there may be confusion in relation to the council’s cover for those that volunteer for the council, and the Residents Association Federation had an insurance policy that covered Residents Associations and they would seek to clarify this.

Resolved: (i) That the new Volunteering Policy, as set out in Annex 2 of the Officer’s report, for the City of York Council be adopted.

                (ii) That the Volunteer Managers’ Network workplan be approved.

                (iii) That the Executive Member receive an update report on progress in 12 month’s time.

Reason:       To ensure compliance with the York Charter for Volunteering and to enable the Council to offer and promote a strong volunteering culture for its employees and residents.