Tory plans for voluntary sector welcomed
Cathy Wallace
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Children's charities have welcomed a green paper from the Conservative Party on transforming the role of voluntary groups in society.
Party leader David Cameron said he wanted to get rid of Labour’s top-down approach and create a bigger role for the voluntary sector.
The paper, Voluntary Action in the 21st Century, includes plans to expand the role of charities as well as remove bureaucracy such as targets and unnecessary contracts.
It also promises to make grants longer-term and cut down on paperwork.
Clare Tickell, chief executive of NCH, said: “This paper provides charities offering public services with adequate funding, freedom in delivery and longer-term grants – all are critical elements.
“We place the child at the centre of all we do and support them for as long as it takes. These proposals would enable us to do this.”
Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, added: “Like so many voluntary sector providers we struggle to obtain the full costs of delivering services, meaning we are in effect subsidising the state.
“The Conservatives’ vision for the sector is heartening and we are pleased to see so many of the pressing issues facing organisations striving to deliver vital community services are addressed in this paper.”
The paper, Voluntary Action in the 21st Century, includes plans to expand the role of charities as well as remove bureaucracy such as targets and unnecessary contracts.
It also promises to make grants longer-term and cut down on paperwork.
Clare Tickell, chief executive of NCH, said: “This paper provides charities offering public services with adequate funding, freedom in delivery and longer-term grants – all are critical elements.
“We place the child at the centre of all we do and support them for as long as it takes. These proposals would enable us to do this.”
Steve Alexander, chief executive of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, added: “Like so many voluntary sector providers we struggle to obtain the full costs of delivering services, meaning we are in effect subsidising the state.
“The Conservatives’ vision for the sector is heartening and we are pleased to see so many of the pressing issues facing organisations striving to deliver vital community services are addressed in this paper.”
