West Lothian Council boosts volunteer force amid ‘increasing financial constraints’

West Lothian Council wants to build on its existing force of volunteers who can help staff deliver services.

Councilors backed plans to encourage more people to help others but warned the council should not “sleepwalk” into a situation where volunteers replace paid staff.

The council’s chief executive meeting agreed to develop a corporate strategy to encourage volunteers to support the work of council departments.

In a report to councilors, Anti-Poverty Service manager Nahid Hanif said: “In a changing financial landscape with increasing financial constraints and increasing pressure on services, volunteering provides an opportunity for local people to become more involved in their communities by helping those in need. gain access to municipal services; and helping the board achieve its strategic priorities.

“It is clear from the work already carried out by volunteers that they bring great added value to the council’s offerings, as well as gaining valuable skills, experience and enjoyment from their volunteer role.

“There is evidence that many council services are keen to explore the added value and benefit that volunteers can bring to their services and will appreciate a centralized process and approach.

“This added value and benefit for all will only be enhanced by agreeing the approach and planning for its implementation across the wider council.”

Volunteers have been a vital part of the Anti-Poverty Service’s work since 2010, resulting in the service being asked to develop a strategy that could be rolled out across the whole council.

48 volunteers support the most vulnerable people in West Lothian, often from areas of greatest deprivation.

The use of “experience experts”, those with experience of poverty or other problems, was found to be particularly useful.

Officers said that at a time when the Anti-Poverty Service is at its busiest, volunteers have time to assist clients to ensure a responsive, holistic and empathetic service.

Recent volunteer recruitment has also resulted in a much more diverse pool of volunteers who are more representative of the communities they serve.

While board members were generally supportive of developing a consistent approach to enhancing the volunteer experience, they acknowledged there could be challenges ahead.

Councilor Pauline Stafford, deputy group leader of the Scottish National Party, warned: “What worries me are the report’s references to the council’s financial constraints.

“I think we are in danger of creating the impression that we are preparing to replace the important work of the council that is currently carried out by paid, trained staff who have responsibilities that involve risk and the need for carefully balanced judgment.

“There is a risk that we will look like we are going to replace them with volunteers, especially given the freeze in recruitment.

“I think we’re seeing that in the review of community centers at the moment.

“I don’t think we should replace the provision of universal public services. I know it’s not in the paper and we said it wouldn’t happen, but actually, I think this is a situation we could end up in in our dreams.

“We’ve seen this with food banks. They are now part of society as something accepted and we no longer view them as the abomination that they are.

“I think we need to be very careful. We all have examples of wonderful volunteers in our parishes making a huge contribution to their communities and making great profits, but this should never be subject to financial restrictions and pressure.”

Councilor Susan Manion said: “This is a really good job, so thank you. The development does help with some of the issues raised as it gives it structure.

“Volunteers will bring not only potential, but also a wealth of experience to all departments.”

Council leader Laurence Fitzpatrick said: “We have volunteers in the Advice Shop and we have people giving up their time to serve on parent and community councils.

“They shape policy and give us feedback that allows us to develop.”