By Miriam Bell from NICVA
Published on 02 Aug 2005
Communique issued by the Joint Chairs of the Joint Government / Voluntary and Community Sector Forum following the meeting held on 26 May 2005.
The most recent meeting of the Joint Forum took place in NICVA on 26 May.
Positive Steps
Positive Steps is government’s response to the Investing Together report of the Task Force on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community Sector, and can be found at
www.dsdni.gov.uk/publications/documents/Positive_Steps.pdf.
The document refers to the role of the Joint Forum on more than one occasion, and discussion was held on how the recommendations could be taken forward. The presentation and subsequent discussions covered areas including the Community Investment Fund and the Modernisation Fund; the recognition of the need for longer term funding; the definition and role of “lead funders”; improved governance and accountability as well as the role of the Implementation Group chaired by DSD Minister.
The meeting also divided into working groups to discuss how, in light of the commitments in 'Positive Steps', what additional actions should be taken to identify and manage the significant reduction in EU funding programmes for the voluntary and community sector and how the Forum can the forum contribute to resolving the issues. Feedback from the working groups produced a varied discussion about the issues, the impacts and ways of managing the changes that lie ahead. There are significant and wide ranging challenges for the sector and government.
Review of Public Administration
Members of the RPA team attended the meeting to give a presentation and update on the current consultation. They stressed that this consultation will be the final chance to influence the process (which closes on 30 September), and that the Minister, Lord Rooker, intends to make decisions by the turn of the year.
Strategy Sub Group Update
The Partners for Change Next Stage Strategy is being developed covering the period 2005 to 2008. Initial input has been received from most departments and the first draft is underway. Some meetings have been held with departments to agree their input. It is hoped to have the strategy published by the end of the year.
Further information on the Joint Forum, including minutes of meetings once agreed, can be found on the new Community NI portal, at http://www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/article/page/Joint%20Forum
This page has been viewed 5539 times since it was published.
