Coping with the cuts

COPING WITH THE CUTS – IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL SECTORS
 

Many of you will already be engaged in discussions around the ongoing and imminent public sector funding cuts. It is widely acknowledged that these will have a significant impact on the provision of public services in the city, and no doubt we share very real concerns that they will have a disproportionately adverse effect on our most vulnerable citizens.

In addition to already-announced local cuts, all public sector agencies are under considerable pressure to identify and implement savings where possible. On 29 July, the Cabinet Office announced £11m of cuts in this year’s budget to a range of initiatives working with the voluntary sector, including Capacitybuilders and v, the youth volunteering charity.

Francis Maude, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, and Nick Hurd, the Minister for Civil Society, have written an open letter to the sector asking charities, social enterprises and community groups to offer ideas for how the OCS could make further economies. Their letter is available here: http://download.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/voluntary/open-letter.pdf

It is BVSC’s view that the only way that the necessary savings can be made intelligently, and in ways which minimise adverse impacts on the city’s most vulnerable communities, is through strong communication and cooperation between voluntary organisations and public sector agencies. By looking – together – at how savings can be made, we have a greater chance of working more effectively in an environment with fewer cash resources.

Therefore, we at BVSC:
- Are in conversation with public sector commissioners to offer support and guidance in mapping the impact of cuts, and involving the sector in identifying savings;
- Are facilitating discussions for voluntary organisations through the Third Sector Assembly networks ( www.assembly3.org.uk ). These meetings will proactively look at opportunities for increased collaboration, potential efficiencies, and strategies for dealing with funding reductions;
- Have produced the attached digest of guidance for voluntary and community organisations, and for public sector commissioners, in navigating the difficult path ahead.

For more information on the support BVSC can offer to voluntary and community organisations, and to public sector agencies engaging with the voluntary sector, please see our website at www.bvsc.org  or contact me directly.

Brian Carr
Chief Executive
BVSC, The Centre for Voluntary Action
138 Digbeth
Birmingham B5 6DR
T: 0121 678 8801 E: brianc@bvsc.org

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'Public spending cuts and the voluntary and community sector' is a paper prepared by NAVCA Chief Executive Kevin Curley for NAVCA’s Cuts Seminar held on 25 August 2010 in Birmingham.

Go to: http://navcanews.tumblr.com/post/1013623454/public-spending-cuts-and-the-voluntary-and-community