Voluntary Sector Calls For New Deal With Government

Scotland’s new government has to repair a damaged relationship with voluntary organisations, Martin Sime, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), has said.

Speaking in the run up to Scottish Parliament and local elections Mr Sime called for a new agreement between the voluntary sector and the Scottish Executive, questioning the authority and effectiveness of the current compact agreement.

His words were echoed by representatives of local voluntary sectors, as well as business leader and entrepreneur Sir Tom Farmer. Farmer, who controversially donated funds to the SNP recently, told a group of voluntary sector representatives this week that no government would be able to achieve its manifesto obligations without the support of the sector.

Sime said a new government could not continue to ignore the role of the voluntary sector in society, highlighting its role in particular as a provider of public services and an authoritative lobbying force.

“It has become increasingly evident that a new beginning is needed. Government and voluntary organisations have too many shared interests and ambitions not to need to find ways to work together for the benefit of those we all serve,” said Sime.

“Over the last six months in particular, relationships between parts of the sector and government have deteriorated, particularly in a few local authorities but also in discussions about the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act, over European funding and paying for the Olympics. Getting the full cost of public services remains a running sore.

He added: “Questions need to be asked about the effectiveness of the Compact. Central strategies and visions are making little difference on the ground. So it makes sense to go back to the drawing board with whatever coalition emerges from the election to see how we might move forward together.”

Sir Tom Farmer, whose funding of the SNP hit the headlines in this year’s election race, addressed 350 voluntary sector representatives at the Lloyds TSB Foundation Annual Forum.

He said “I’ve read all the manifestos, they’re all promising much the same. No matter which administration is in power each of them has promised to work to make a difference. But one thing is clear: they can’t do it on their own; they want to work with organisations such as yours.”

He added: “Government doesn’t know, doesn’t have the solutions. I don’t believe just another ASBO will solve our problems. I don’t believe more spy cameras or more information being gathered about all of us will either. Only one thing will make a difference – a rekindling of community spirit. We don’t need more regulation or evaluation of white papers. Quite simply we need positive action.”

Relationships between local authorities and the voluntary sector have become tense over the last year, with below inflation rises in the funding of public services and controversial funding decisions leading to the closure of local services. At a recent funding conference in Glasgow, 96 per cent of attendees said that they were worried about how they would exist beyond 2007.

Helen Macneil, chief executive of Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector said: “For me, the real political change and renewal has to take place at local level, in councils across Scotland, and voluntary and community organisations in all parts of Scotland need to feel the difference.

“There is clearly a big job to be done, creating far greater understanding by local political leaders and senior officers of the fabulous work done by voluntary and community organisations in their area. Daily the sector delivers on key policy objectives – but more importantly it is helping communities to survive and prosper.

“So we need to convince the new crop of politicians of the value of investing in our proven success – convince them that proper resourcing of their local voluntary sector will pay huge dividends in terms of far more successful and sustainable communities.”