Public service delivery 'not an end in itself'

Finance | Ian Allsop | 1 Jul 2005

NCVO has delivered a resounding endorsement of the role of voluntary organisations in the reform of public services but warns against charities and the Government seeing public service delivery by the sector as an end in itself.

The Reform of Public Services says an increased role in the delivery of public services offers organisations an excellent opportunity to reach more of the individuals and communities they exist to support but only if it helps them meet their objectives.

The report says more emphasis needs to be given to the sector's crucial role in advocacy, campaigning, advice and information. Issues like governance and leadership skills, argues the report, are beginning to be largely discussed in relation to organisations that undertake large scale public service contracts, but should be addressed in the context of the sector as a whole.

Another NCVO report has called on voluntary organisations to work with government to strengthen civil society but warns against the Government trying to direct voluntary sector activity for its own purposes. People's willingness to participate could be weakened, if the Government becomes too interfering, states Civil Renewal and Active Citizenship.

NCVO chief executive Stuart Etherington (pictured) said: "Voluntary action is at the heart of civil society. It is people's interests and passions that drive voluntary action, whether that is a passion for making model aeroplanes or making poverty history. Civil society is about people coming together for a whole variety of reasons. To help themselves or others, to pursue shared interests or concerns, to promote or defend a cause they feel strongly about, or simply for fun and friendship."

Directory: National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Who's Who: Sir Stuart Etherington

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