Speaking at the NAVCA annual conference on 19 September,
Minister for the Third Sector Ed Miliband said: "Councils for
Voluntary Service do incredibly valuable work in a pressured
environment with frontline organisations, and it is crucial
government supports them in the right way. Effective partnership
with CVS will strengthen communities and help transform public
services, while ensuring the sector retains its independent
campaigning voice."
"Partnership is a two-way street - we need understanding,
openness and respect on both sides. For our part, government at all
levels needs to live by the principles of the Compact, with
multi-year funding the norm. Meanwhile, I know the sector
recognises it must do all it can to work with and respect local
government, the democratically elected voice of local
people."
Responding to the speech Kevin Curley, Chief Executive of
NAVCA, said:
"NAVCA welcomes the
Government's appointment of a new Compact Commissioner. There is
now a chance that the Compact can become an effective framework for
VCS/local government relationships in all parts of
England."
"I am impressed that the minister
recognises VCS involvement in LAAs is not as strong as it needs to
be and that this will be addressed in the Local Government white
paper, and am very pleased to hear the minister recognise the
ongoing importance of grant funding for small local
organisations."