Issue - meetings

Joint report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills (Staffordshire County Council) and Director of Strategy and Resources (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Lead Officers presented a draft updated Volunteer Policy and accompanying Volunteer Agreement explaining that they had been developed following consultation with Volunteers on their personal needs and reasons for volunteering and their expectations of both the role and of the Councils.

The Volunteer Policy was compatible with other policies in use by the Councils, acknowledged that volunteering was an individual, personal experience and introduced a more public facing approach. The inclusion of a Code of Conduct was a key change, reflecting best practice and addressing safeguarding considerations.

The Volunteer Agreement aimed to offer a quality experience and defined the expectations of each party. The review exercise was now informing a revision of the County Council’s Policies.   

The importance of not deterring volunteers by having too bureaucratic processes was stressed and acknowledged.

Resolved – That the Updated Volunteer Policy and use of the enhanced volunteer Agreement be approved; the inclusion of best practice guidelines to encourage knowledge sharing and continuity across the service be noted.

Joint report of the Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills (Staffordshire County Council) and Director of Strategy and Resources (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)

Joint report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Families and Communities (Staffordshire County Council) and Director of Strategy and Resources (Stoke-on-Trent City Council)