Panel asks for views on sector independence

July 2011

A consultation document has been launched by the panel on the Indpendence of the Voluntary sector with views sought by 21 September 2011.

Concerns about the independence of the charity sector in the face of increased dependence on state funding, have filled opinion pages in the charity sector press on a routine basis over the past few years. This was something Nick Seddon articulates particularly passionately in his First Person interview with Caritas, where he says:

“One of the problems for charities becoming dependent on state funding is they have lost the habit of fundraising. A number of charities have admitted: ‘we reached a point where we have not had to fundraise. And now someone has taken away 20 per cent of our funding overnight we have had to re-learn fundraising.’

In a connected way, the government will outsource more, but this will create a market and markets are brutal places. Charity contracts and grants create an asymmetry of power. A contract is difficult for a small charity to deal with and over the next few years the sector will be competing with SMEs and organisations like Serco. It’s going to be tough.”[1]

Call for evidence

The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector was established by the Baring Foundation to consider in more detail the state of the sector’s independence, gathering evidence over the next five years. Dame Anne Owers, who chairs the panel explains: “the first responsibility of upholding independence lies with the voluntary sector itself. However, government and all of those who work with the sector also have an important role in respecting independence and providing a supportive regulatory, tax and financial environment.”

It has launched a consultation document in the form of a ‘barometer’ of independence asking questions to help the panel judge how far independence is being maintained and achieved.

The report can be downloaded here and views need to be emailed by 21 September at info@independencepanel.org.uk. It is important to read the document thoroughly before answering the consultation questions.

Consultation questions

The key questions (which related to the report) the panel is seeking feedback on are:

Do you agree with the definition of independence and the factors which affect, as explored in the ‘independence’ section?
What do you think are the significant challenges or threats that are being faced by the sector in relation to independence? Are these new, or longstanding?
What initiatives and changes do you think could help to strengthen the independence of the sector?
Does the Barometer capture all of the relevant factors and, if not, what is missing?
How would you assess your organisation against the Barometer? Give us as much information on your organisation as you can. However, given possible sensitivities, anonymous replies are welcome.
Do you have any examples of good or poor practice in any of these areas?

[1]www.charitiesdirect.com/caritas-magazine/first-person-719.html

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Panel asks for views on sector independence