A Strategic Action Plan for the Voluntary Sector SchemeGeneral Comments - Gweini and Evangelical Alliance Wales welcome the Welsh Assembly Government's endorsement of the Voluntary Sector and its' willingness to broaden its engagement with the Sector, as set forth in Empowering active citizens to contribute to Wales .
- The greatest area of relevance for many Christians at the moment revolves around the provision of public services. An increasing number of churches in Wales and Christian organisations have, in recent years, applied for and successfully received public funds to deliver services. They have built fruitful partnerships with local authorities and other agencies and desire further engagement.
- Many others however, are uncertain as to whether this journey is one that they should take. With changes in legislation occurring in the UK at a rapid pace, many Christian leaders fear that, if they are contracted to deliver public services, they will be obliged to take decisions that will compromise the ethos of their faith.
- Indeed, the Charity Commission, in their recent publication "Stand and Deliver" the future for charities providing public services , highlights concerns it has for charities that have either begun to provide public services or are considering doing so. It was surprising that the WAG publication did not cover these issues in depth.
- Of primary concern is the potential loss of independence, with public authorities coercing charities to comply with their rules and regulations and with trustees "prevented from acting solely in the charity's interest"
- Although there has been much legislation in recent years that has affected faith communities, recent publicity has surrounded the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) which came into force in Northern Ireland in January and are soon to come into effect in Great Britain . These have caused considerable consternation and many feel that enough time was not given for consultation. Certainly there was little (if any) opportunity for faith communities to engage in public debate on the SORs in Wales and to express their thoughts and concerns before the decision not to provide exemptions for faith communities was finalised.
- Although it was the Catholic adoption agencies that dominated the news in the debate between the SORs and faith communities, we are aware of other churches and Christian organisations in Wales that are either withdrawing services or considering doing so, until the implications of these recent changes in legislation become clearer. It is therefore very much a current issue that would benefit from better communication between faith communities and the Public Sector.
- Other concerns cited by the Charity Commission are mission-drift - where charities carry out services beyond their aims and objectives in pursuit of funding - and long-term sustainability.
- As a result, it is important for faith communities that the WAG is seen to have their best interests at heart and that it demonstrates an understanding of the specific concerns relating to them. They have much to offer, as a Gweini project on the contribution of faith communities to civic society in Wales will soon establish.
Specific comments to questions raised in the consultation Helping citizens to be heard 7.5 The pros of helping citizens' voices to be heard through the Third Sector are:
-
The Third Sector is trusted more than the Public and Private Sectors and therefore can elicit a greater response -
It is independent, non-political and able to speak out over issues -
It is more in touch with communities and able to reach the most vulnerable people.
-
Unrealistic expectations may be given - despite the intent to hear citizens' voices, deadlines mean that every voice will not be fully heard -
There will be a need for the Public Sector and the Third Sector to understand each other's cultures and this will take time. The Third Sector, used to a more people-orientated approach, may resist attempts made upon it to improve productivity or to achieve targets, for example.
|
