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NCVO and Navca 'disappointed' by snub over local public-private partnerships
By Ben Cook, Third Sector Online, 28 July 2010
Umbrella bodies lament failure of Vince Cable and Eric Pickles to invite voluntary sector
Voluntary sector umbrella organisations have expressed disappointment at the government’s decision not to invite voluntary sector bodies to take part in negotiations over setting up new public-private partnerships to boost local economies.
The government contacted local authority leaders regarding the establishment of local enterprise partnerships to replace regional development agencies.
The letter, sent to council chiefs in July and signed by the business secretary Vince Cable and the communities secretary Eric Pickles, said the government was keen to encourage local businesses and councils to work together to develop proposals for LEPs.
But the letter did not extend the invitation to voluntary sector organisations.
Ben Kernighan, deputy chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said it was disappointing that the voluntary sector had not been invited to take part.
"The sector has wide-ranging experience of delivering tailored and innovative services at the heart of communities, and as a major employer and contributor to the economy", he said.
"We will be seeking clarification that the sector will be involved in these discussions going forward."
Neil Cleeveley, policy and communications director at the local umbrella body Navca, said it was "deeply misguided" to omit the voluntary sector from negotiations regarding the establishment of LEPs.
"Local voluntary organisations make a huge contribution in real terms and through added value via volunteering – it’s nonsense for them not to be involved and it reflects the view that there is no economic contribution from the voluntary sector when clearly there is," he said.
Cleeveley said Navca would be writing to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and the Communities and Local Government department to outline its views.
A spokeswoman for BIS said councils and local businesses would decide whether the voluntary sector would be invited to take part in negotiations regarding LEPs.
"It will be up to partnerships to consider which key local economic partners they should be working with to drive growth across their area," she said.
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George Arkless, 29 July 2010, 18:24
Sorry but is anyone really surprised?
'5 million people sitting at home getting benefits and doing nothing.' A complete dismissal of any value in the voluntary work done by those not in paid work.
Like the last tory government this one will be an assault on the weakest in our society.
Mr Cable MP lost any respect I had when he spouted on about the Browne report in education due out later this year, knowing full well that the Lib Dems had agreed effectively to a gagging order if they disagreed with the way the government decided to respond to the report.
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