Way forward for voluntary sector in Harrow as HAVS announces closure

On Wednesday (2ND March), trustees gave notification that HAVS, the umbrella organisation for Harrow 's voluntary bodies, is to cease operations on 31st March. They will now work in partnership with Harrow Council on an exit strategy for the organisation, and use the resources available to begin talks with voluntary and community groups about future joint working.

The Council and the new board of trustees, elected four months ago, have worked hard in recent months to reform the organisation after the events of last year. A Way Forward Group was set up to improve governance, policies and procedures after there had been a Council-appointed investigation on the management of funds by PwC and the Charities Commission.

A lot of progress has been made but the Council has decided it could not fully reinstate funding at this stage and the Trustees opted to wind down the charity.

Last week, representatives of more than 30 groups involved with Harrow 's voluntary sector met with HAVS at a strategic planning away day. The results of the discussion will be used to plan for a new infrastructure of support services for voluntary and community groups in Harrow .

Options include collaboration with large voluntary sector organisations, partnerships with umbrella bodies (Council of Voluntary Services or CVSs) in neighbouring boroughs, or a new cooperative organisation in which the members become shareholders.

Richard Coe, interim Chief Executive at HAVS, said:

"We want to ensure that the excellent community and voluntary organisations across Harrow have the support they need to continue making an enormous contribution to life in Harrow .

"Although HAVS will be wound down, there is considerable energy available to create a new infrastructure to support their work.

"The voluntary sector is getting ready for that change and we hope there is full and open consultation with the Council to make the right decisions for the future."

Cllr Bill Stephenson, Leader of Harrow Council, said:

"Voluntary and community groups make a huge contribution to communities across Harrow and we want to support them in the best way we can.

"Council officers and trustees have worked incredibly hard over the last five months to help HAVS staff change the organisation and give it a viable future, but underlying problems remain.

"This has been a very difficult decision but I think this is a positive change which in the end will benefit the wider community." 

Cllr Rekha Shah, portfolio holder for community and cultural services on Harrow Council, said:

"It is with great regret that this decision has been taken but it is clear that the depth of the challenges faced by HAVS meant it was time to look towards a new future.

"Building on the work of the Trustees, we now have an opportunity to move things forward and provide a dynamic new structure to work with, facilitate and support the excellent voluntary and community sector in Harrow .   

"We want to achieve this through the fullest consultation and involvement of the voluntary sector and all interested parties."