In an open letter to B&NES Council, Chief Executives of local, Bath & North East Somerset-based, 3rd Sector organisations call for reconsideration of budget cuts to not-for-profit organisations. You can read the letter below:

Dear Members of Bath & North East Somerset Council,

As Chief Executives of local, Bath & North East Somerset-based, 3rd Sector organisations within our community, we collectively address the critical issue raised by the Council's proposed budget for 2024-2025. This letter serves not only as a commentary on the budget's implications but also as a call for a united and proactive community-wide approach, particularly in these challenging times.

The Council's Health & Wellbeing Strategy, alongside commitments outlined in the Bath & NES Liberal Democrat Manifesto, underscores the necessity for a robust, preventative approach to social care. It is imperative that our budgetary decisions reflect these priorities, ensuring that every member of our community receives the support they need before they reach a crisis point.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our collective response, spearheaded by the 3rd Sector, was instrumental in establishing the Community Wellbeing Hub. This initiative exemplified the power of collaborative effort in supporting the most vulnerable. The proposed reduction in funding for Community Support Contracts, however, threatens to undermine these gains. A cut of £802,000 – a 21.4% decrease – poses a significant risk to the sustainability of essential services that have proven effective in reducing the demand on statutory services. Furthermore, we are also being made aware of proposals for substantial cuts to Children's Services through specialist commissioning and reductions in discretionary spend. Many of these programmes support preventative work and already run with deficits.

We acknowledge and appreciate the Council's difficult position in balancing fiscal responsibilities with the needs of our community. However, we strongly urge a reconsideration of the distribution of budget cuts. The 3rd Sector, while resilient and resourceful, faces new financial realities on all fronts with the increase in the National Living Wage alongside contract values that have not kept pace with inflation. Indeed, many 3rd Sector organisations, mostly charities, have not seen an inflationary uplift in their Council-funded contracts for over 7 years. Without adequate funding to match these operational costs, our capacity to deliver proactive and preventative support is severely compromised.

Investing in social care and 3rd Sector services is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic decision that benefits our entire community. By strengthening these services, we can alleviate the growing pressure on statutory adult social care services, ultimately leading to a more sustainable system.

In conclusion, we call for a collective re-evaluation of the proposed budget. We urge the Council to strike a balance that neither compromises the well-being of our population nor the viability of 3rd Sector organisations. It is through our collaborative efforts that we can ensure Bath & North East Somerset remains a community where everyone is empowered to live well.

Yours sincerely,

Signatures of Chief Executives:

Becky Brooks, Director, Bath & North East Somerset Third Sector Group (3SG)

Kate Morton, CEO, Bath Mind and Chair of Trustees, 3SG

Simon Allen, CEO, Age UK B&NES and Trustee of 3SG

Melissa Hillier, CEO, Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE) and Vice Chair of 3SG

Caroline Haworth MBE, Director, Bath Area Play Project and Trustee of 3SG

Helen Bedser, CEO, Julian House

Alan Brown, Bath Community Transport

Ricky Bush, CEO, Peggy Dodd Centre

James Carlin BEM, Bath City FC Foundation

Reg Cobb, CEO, deafPLUS

Beverley Craney, Chief Executive, SWALLOW

Alex Davis, The Midsomer Norton Community Trust

Jo Dolby, Hub Leader, Oasis Hub Bath

Lynne Fernquest, Bath Rugby Foundation

Nathan Hartley, Director, Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation

Chris Head, Executive Director, WERN

Ruth Keily, CEO, Mentoring Plus

Giles Lascelle, CEO, Trauma Breakthrough

Simon Lawson, Citizens Advice Bath & North East Somerset

Charlotta Martinus, Teen Yoga

Rakesh Menon, Rob Lewis and Helen Lawrence, Bath Community Kitchen CIC

Rosie Phillips, Chief Executive, Developing Health & Independence (DHI)

Tracey Pike, CEO, Youth Connect South West

Allison Todd, CEO, Mercy in Action

Phil Walters, CEO, Off the Record