Parliamentary Support for Voluntary Sector Welcomed
Friday 18th April 2008 Parliamentary Support for Voluntary Sector WelcomedThe voluntary sector was debated in Westminster yesterday (17th April) and this is the resulting motion.A successful decision time saw the very helpful lib-dem and tory amendments passed with slim majorities. The final motion, which passed with a substantial majority, reads:
Support for the Voluntary Sector—That the Parliament applauds the vital contribution made to society and the economy by the third sector; believes that co-operation between the third sector, local authorities and the Scottish Government is vital in ensuring a strong role for the third sector; recognises that the Scottish Government is funding Project Scotland and has made clear to Project Scotland that further resources may be available for projects it runs in terms of the Scottish Government’s employability agenda, and believes that the exemption from payment of water rates extended by the previous administration to 2010 should be further extended and calls on the Scottish Government to work with the third sector to reduce the burden of regulation affecting the sector; recognises the problems facing the voluntary sector caused by short-term funding and re-tendering; believes that there is a pressing need to review the system to provide more stable funding for the sector including longer-term contracts and a national contracts framework; notes the establishment of the voluntary sector compact under the last administration and calls for a revitalised compact between local government and the voluntary sector; believes that this compact must ensure greater dialogue between councils and voluntary groups as to the operation of the local government Concordat and the single outcome agreements, and calls for a review of the operation of the Concordat including its key outcomes and performance indicators following the first year of its implementation. The Scottish Voluntary Sector have welcomed positive noises from all sections of the Scottish Parliament in this morning's debate entitled "Supporting the Voluntary Sector." In particular, the confirmation of universal support for a continued Voluntary Sector exemption from water charges. The Parliament also confirmed its desire to work with the Third Sector to reduce red tape. The final amendment passed, in the name of Robert Brown MSP, recognised the problems caused by short term funding for the voluntary sector and called for a new working relationship between the voluntary sector and local government in Scotland, as well as a proper review of the Concordat after its first year of operations. These moves are also broadly welcomed by the sector. SCVO Chief Executive Martin Sime said: "It's great to see all parties restate their commitment to the Voluntary Sector. Voluntary Organisations across Scotland are working hard to address the needs of the poorest and most deprived in society. We welcome the new commitments made by the Parliament today. The new funding environment has created new challenges and new opportunities for the Voluntary Sector. The Sector will need support to make the transition to new funding arrangements. Some of the problems addressed by today's debate are long term problems such as a lack of long term funding and over-regulation. We hope that continued progress will be made in dealing with these ongoing issues."SCVO was concerned about the tenor of some of the remarks made in the course of debate by Rob Gibson MSP, and have arranged a meeting with Mr Gibson to discuss the relevant issues. |
