Third Sector Review
The “Third Sector Review” consultation has been ongoing since May 2006 to ascertain what the Government should spend in relation to voluntary and community sector and social enterprise. Results will form the spending plans for the next three years across all Government departments’ activities – to ensure that the Third Sector can play a part in public service delivery and local planning.
Demonstrating a commitment to LGBT communities, the Treasury and Cabinet Office have asked the Consortium to facilitate an event to elicit the views of the LGBT community on these plans. This provides (probably for the fist time) an opportunity for LGBT organisations, groups and projects to influence Government spend over the forthcoming three years.
Why should we be bothered?
The basis of all Government Department, regional and local statutory budgets will include the needs of the Third Sector to create social and economic regeneration. A major aspect of the review will be the requirements for inclusive local community consultation on national/ regional/local funding and delivery plans. It includes the requirement to work in partnership with diverse communities; it includes the requirement to support community groups and volunteering; and it includes the need to allow diverse organisation to deliver public services to their communities.
These are important aspects for all LGBT organisations and groups. This provides a forum in which to highlight our frustrations around representation and inclusion in local area agreements, community plans and funding allocations. It allows us to describe the barriers that exist around involvement in volunteering and community led services. It enables us to request resources to help get involved in government policy agendas; and it helps us to identify the need for funding specialist services to the wider LGBT community.
Despite the short notice, the Consortium would encourage you to come along and present your opinions and suggestions to the Treasury about the support requirements needed to ensure (and resource) inclusivity in both voluntary and public sector service delivery.
The areas under consultation are:
1. Cohesive communities and building voice for citizens
2. Partnership working to deliver a shared agenda
3. Promoting innovation and enterprise
4. Creating a culture of volunteering and mentoring
5. Future role of the sector in shaping and delivering public services
6. Creating a sustainable resource base
