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Welcome everyone to our final #FestivalNWThinking event: No Going Back: In Conversation with the North West's Metro Mayors. We are joined by @MetroMayorSteve from @LpoolCityRegion, and @AndyBurnhamGM from @greatermcr who will be taking questions from #VCSE sector representatives.
Our CEO Warren Escadale @VSNWEscadale is setting the scene, talking about the three previous events held as part of our #FestivalNWThinking. Details of these can be found here: https://www.vsnw.org.uk/festival
We are now hearing from @MetroMayorSteve who is introducing the #BuildBackBetter theme that he and @AndyBurnhamGM devised in June, and was subsequently adopted by the Government, amongst others.
When becoming Mayor, @MetroMayorSteve brought in @ellenloudon as Mayoral Advisor for the VCFSE sector, and that link has proved vital during the current crisis tackling issues such as domestic violence and food poverty. #FestivalNWThinking
Moving on to @AndyBurnhamGM who opens by stating that the Covid crisis has laid bare the pre-existing inequalities in the UK. #FestivalNWThinking
@AndyBurnhamGM: Levelling up needs to be bottom up not top down. It needs to involve the voluntary sector at its heart. #FestivalNWThinking
"Build back better means better pay, an end to insecure employment and better housing." @AndyBurnhamGM
Our first question will be asked by David Allen, CEO of @CumbriaCVS. David asks: “How can we maximise the benefits from the positive recognition of the role of the #VCFSE sector in the Covid-19 response and recovery?” #FestivalNWThinking
@AndyBurnhamGM feels that this can be achieved through more devolution to allow greater partnership with the sector. A place-based way of working is required. #FestivalNWThinking
@MetroMayorSteve adds to that response by calling for a specific VCFSE fund for the region to back this up.
To follow we have Win Lawler from @IrishCommCare who asks: “How can we ensure the inclusion of our most excluded communities going forward, what do you feel we can do differently as a region to make that happen & where does the #Voluntary sector fit in?” #FestivalNWThinking
Responding to this @MetroMayorSteve recognises the need to do more for those communities left behind. He feels tat the VCSE sector is crucial in levelling the playing the field to give all communities equal opportunities.
To add to this, @AndyBurnhamGM references the work in GM on homelessness and the concept of Inclusion Health, designing services for the most inclusive as the starting point. #FestivalNWThinking
The voluntary sector needs to be treated as an equal partner to achieve this, according to @AndyBurnhamGM
Next up we have Darren Knight CEO of @georgehousetrst who asks: “What will you do to ensure that the role & potential of the #VCSE sector is valued & understood among your political colleagues and those employed within your organisation & your partner orgs?” #FestivalNWThinking
@AndyBurnhamGM talks about the Reform board which involves Greater Manchester VCSE leaders. This ensures that the voluntary sector is always in the room and part of the discussion. Also needed is longer-term, core funding and a culture change.
To add to this, @MetroMayorSteve highlights Kindred, a network of peer support in @LpoolCityRegion. See https://kindred-lcr.co.uk/
Our 4th question is from Dan Wheatley at the @PrincesTrust. Dan asks: "Do you expect to be given control of the 'Levelling Up' agenda and budget that comes with that? Or will our region's future sit with Westminster as the promise of devolution is diluted?" #FestivalNWThinking
@MetroMayorSteve starts by stating that Levelling Up should involve a fair distribution of funds to the regions. @AndyBurnhamGM agrees that it should be led by communities and local authorities with voluntary sector involvement. #FestivalNWThinking
@AndyBurnhamGM calls for more devolution for the English regions as a way of ensuring more accountability and fairer funding distribution. #FestivalNWThinking
Angela Allen, CEO of @springnorthHQ asks:
"How can we persuade our public sector & LEP colleagues to include the #VCFSE sector as an equal partner in strategy, planning & implementation, rather than merely including us as an add-on/philanthropic gesture?" #FestivalNWThinking
"How can we persuade our public sector & LEP colleagues to include the #VCFSE sector as an equal partner in strategy, planning & implementation, rather than merely including us as an add-on/philanthropic gesture?" #FestivalNWThinking
@MetroMayorSteve feels that what they have been doing in @LpoolCityRegion is a start although there is more work to do. He references the @vs6news partnership as a crucial voice for the sector in the Liverpool City Region. See: https://www.vs6partnership.org.uk/
Next up is Chris Dabbs, Chief Exec at @unltdpotential who asks: "What genuinely radical measure would you like to see implemented to address economic inequality that doesn't rely on central Government? What would be the role of the social economy within it?" #FestivalNWThinking
@MetroMayorSteve challenges the VCSE sector with coming up with proposed measures. In the chat, Universal Basic Income is suggested, something which Steve called for in March and has asked the Government to pilot in LCR. #FestivalNWThinking
In his closing thoughts, @AndyBurnhamGM references the failures of private sector to deliver working Test & Trace as an example of how things could be delivered more effectively at a local level. #FestivalNWThinking
That concludes tonight's event! Thank you to everyone who attended, our questioners and of course @MetroMayorSteve & @AndyBurnhamGM for taking part. We will be following up with more thoughts and further actions in the days and weeks ahead.
#FestivalNWThinking
#FestivalNWThinking
