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THE CROSS CUTTING REVIEW OF THE ROLE OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR IN PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY

As part of SR2002, the Chief Secretary, Andrew Smith, has announced there will be a cross cutting review of the role of the voluntary sector in service delivery. The overall objective is to explore how Central and Local Government can work more effectively with the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to deliver high quality services.

The review – to be chaired by the Financial Secretary, Paul Boateng, is underpinned by a recognition of the substantial contribution that the VCS makes to the delivery of high quality services, and – as set out in the Compact – the continued independence of the sector.

Background

The VCS is extremely diverse - embracing charities, not for profit organisations, as well as more informal organisations and community groups. It is increasingly involved in working with Central and Local Government to deliver a wide range of services. Many recent initiatives – for example Sure Start and the Children’s Fund– seek to put the voluntary sector in the leading role.

In recognition of the significance of the sector, there are several reviews and consultation exercises being undertaken across Government, including:

• The Performance and Innovation Unit’s review: Modernising the Legal and Regulatory Framework for Charities and the Voluntary Sector;                                                      

http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation/2001/charity/charityscope.shtml

• The Regional Co-ordination Unit’s Review of Regeneration Funding for Voluntary Sector and Community Groups;
• Ongoing work within the Active Community Unit, including the current consultation on the funding of Community Groups; www.homeoffice.gov.uk/acu/acuconsult.htm

There are important linkages across all these areas of work and Whitehall officials and Ministers are working together closely to ensure the different strands are drawn together in a coherent way.

Terms of Reference for the Review

The terms of reference were announced in the press notice of 12 October 2001.

How to get involved

There will be extensive consultation during the course of this review, to bring together the wide range of experience and expertise within the sector. In particular, there will be consultation events, details of which will be posted on the website once they are available.

If you would like to contact us to register your interest at this early stage of the review and to be placed on our contact list, then please e-mail voluntarysector@hm-treasury.gov.uk.

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