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Local authorities across Scotland have signed up to an historic agreement to work in
partnership with third sector organisations to create better local services for Scottish
people.
A statement released by the Scottish Government, the Convention of Scottish Local
Authorities (Cosla), the Society of Local Authority Chief Officers (Solace) and SCVO
has been hailed as an important milestone in efforts to create partnerships and
encourage joint working in Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) throughout
Scotland.
It is designed to ensure that the best possible standards of local services, including
support for vulnerable groups, is achieved in local areas despite anticipated public
spending cuts.
Financial issues that have plagued the voluntary sector, particularly since the start of
the recession, are addressed in the statement, including an agreement to provide
three-year funding as a rule, an understanding that charitable reserves should not be
used to cover the cost of contracted services and an appreciation of that the
voluntary sector experiences inflation.
Councils have also agreed to only use competitive tendering of services as part of a
larger commissioning strategy that considers the views of existing service providers,
service users and their advocates.
The agreements to consider more widely the financial burdens facing the third sector
could make a major difference to voluntary organisations, which often complain of
real-terms cuts to funding and tendering practices that encourage organisations to
put costs over quality of service.
In exchange the third sector has agreed to “strive to secure Best Value for their
declared objectives, to ensure that public resources are managed efficiently, and to
cooperate with their public funders’ efficiency agendas”.
The Scottish Government, which has devolved greater spending power to local
authorities through its concordat agreement, was involved in the year-long series of
discussion which has led to the statement.
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, said:
“Scotland’s third sector makes a direct impact on the growth of Scotland’s economy,
the wellbeing of its citizens and the improvement of its public services, particularly at
a local level.
“The joint statement sets out our shared determination, together with Cosla, Solace
and SCVO, to ensuring a supportive and sustainable relationship between
government and the third sector.”
The statement also sets out a commitment to have a third sector representative on
all Community Planning Partnerships in Scotland for the first time. This will enable
the sector to be more involved in planning and creating local services.
Dr Alison Elliot, convener of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
said: “This joint statement demonstrates that a partnership approach between the
public sector and third sector can deliver for all involved.”
“There are many additional areas where the third sector would welcome agreement
from our partners in local authorities and the Scottish Government and I look forward
to continuing to work together to further improve the delivery of public services and
the sustainability of the third sector.”
David Anderson, chief executive of South Ayrshire Council and representative of
Solace (Scotland) said: “The publication of this joint statement is both timely and
important.
“Given the tightening of public finances, and rising levels of demand for services, it is
more important than ever for local authorities and third sector organisations to work
together effectively in delivering improved outcomes for local communities.
“Solace is confident that the joint statement will help forge even stronger
relationships at the local level between third sector organisations and local
authorities.”