HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Third sector summit launches full findings of the 2004 Voluntary and Community Sector Review [February 2005]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 February 2005.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Rt. Hon Paul Boateng and Home Office Minister for Race Equality and Community Cohesion, Fiona Mactaggart today hosted a “Third Sector Summit” at Number 11 Downing Street to conclude the work of the 2004 Voluntary and Community Sector Review.

Fifty key representatives from Third Sector organisations were brought together to discuss with Government and make progress on, the role of the Third Sector in public service delivery, as well as funding issues facing the sector and the benefits and best ways of working in partnership.

The full findings of the 2004 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Review have been published through three publications:

• Working Together, Better Together, which suggests the way forward to build understanding, strengthen local partnerships, and press for progress in particular service areas;
• Exploring the role of the third sector in public service delivery and reform, a discussion document on how the sector can realise its full potential contribution to service delivery, including involvement in the design and evaluation of public services; and
• Effective Local Partnerships, a practical checklist for local practitioners to consider in the development of local compacts, or in entering partnership arrangements with the VCS.

These publications set out the case for the role of the VCS in service delivery and seek to reach out to the local level in order to improve relations between the sector and Government.

During the summit, Ministers also announced:

• plans to update HM Treasury “Guidance to Funders” – with a focus on the implementation of the principle of full cost recovery;
• that HM Treasury and Home Office, among others, will work with the Third Sector in developing the evidence base on the role of the Third Sector and where the sector is best placed to help deliver services;
• a “Clawback Review” in which HM Treasury will review the rules on clawback, endowments and dowries to see how they can be reformed to improve funders’ ability to work in partnership with Third Sector bodies to deliver public and community services; and
• plans to work with the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), the Local Government Association (LGA) and National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service (NACVS) to ensure better communication of the benefits of working with the third sector at a local level.

Paul Boateng said:

“Two years ago I chaired a cross-cutting review of the role of the voluntary and community sector in service delivery. This laid the foundation for a new and exciting phase in the relationship between Government and the VCS. Much progress has been made and we continue to push ambitiously for full implementation of this vision. I hope this further contribution will both deepen and reinforce the foundations for future work between Government and the sector.”

Fiona Mactaggart said:

“The voluntary and community sector can do things for people that public authorities cannot, but public authorities need to work in a way which helps them, protecting their independence and developing the infrastructure they depend on. The aim of this summit and the VCS review is to help us to use the expertise and value of the VCS to improve service delivery.”

Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of NACVS said:

“Relations between the local VCS and central Government have come a long way but we need to make sure messages get out to the local level and make a real difference to those on the ground who deliver services and support community groups. VCS organisations are often hamstrung by the lack of awareness of what the sector can offer, the right messages from central Government being ignored by local authorities, and inefficient, unstable and unhelpful funding relationships. Today’s summit was a great opportunity to discuss this and I am glad to see leadership from Treasury and Home Office ministers. We now need to draw in support from the Audit Commission, which inspects local Government, and the LGA which speaks for it.”