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Community group issues call to arms for Big Society integration

Governance | Rebecca Jeffrey | 20 Oct 2010

The Community Foundation for Merseyside (CFM) has released a call to arms report, strongly urging that civil society organisations work together to develop a sustainable "21st century model" to plan out the future of the charity sector.

The Foundation commissioned Big Society: A perspective in Merseyside, which is based on a survey of 100 private, voluntary and public sector leaders, in response to urges by David Cameron for charities to engage with the Big Society plans concept.

Cathy Elliott, chief executive of CFM said that adaptation is the best way to enter the Big Society era:

“There is no doubt that adapting to the Big Society agenda is going to put some organisations under pressure but this will bring both opportunities and challenges to the voluntary sector. Organisations with a strong track record and a successful approach will be in a strong position to develop further. 

"Charities or voluntary groups who can alter their approach to delivery and transform their culture into sustainable, high impact organisations are likely to see more opportunities for development.”

Focus areas following cutbacks

The report, which focuses on the five key areas of the Big Society agenda, has highlighted several areas of focus needed in light of the increasing responsibility that the charity sector is facing in supplementing the cutbacks in the public sector. The overwhelming response from charities was for more volunteers to boost the sector, new training opportunities and seed funding and more support in delivering funding opportunities.

Financial measures currently in place for the sector such as ‘payment by results’ and loans were identified as a constraint upon sector development and a move towards funding with a sustainability approach was strongly supported.

Core functions should be government-controlled

Big Society aims to devolve power to individuals and communities, however organisations that took part in the Community Foundation survey indicated that core health, education and transport activities should remain under government control.

The Community Foundation plans to continue facilitating funding for voluntary organisations in order to fuel local sustainable social development in the face of continuing financial constraints for charities. The organisation works alongside voluntary organisations in Liverpool, a pilot area for Big Society initiatives.

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