Many local authorities are putting price above quality when commissioning public services from the voluntary sector, new research has found. The survey of voluntary organisations working in all of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas shows that some councils are working well with the sector. However, many others continue to exclude voluntary organisations in planning and delivering public services.

The Voluntary Action Scotland (VAS) and Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) research also shows that many councils are not awarding three-year funding as standard practice, and are reclaiming savings made by charities and voluntary organisations.

Lucy McTernan, deputy chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: “It is extremely disappointing that local government still sees our sector as an easy target for cuts. Our sector provides high quality public services, often more efficiently and effectively than the private or public sector. Yet many councils still refuse to play fair, either in terms of funding or decision making.

“Increasingly, councils are under pressure to come up with a new, creative approach to public service delivery. The voluntary sector is that new approach. I would urge the Scottish Government to intervene to ensure councils listen to, support and fund the sector to create a new era of improved, cost-effective public services.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1) For more information, please contact Sarah Beattie-Smith at SCVO on 0779 060 1995

2) This research was carried out by VAS and SCVO at the request of John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth

3) VAS is a coalition of Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) across Scotland. CVSs are the local infrastructure support bodies for charities and voluntary organisations. See www.voluntaryactionscotland.org.uk for more information

4) The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national body for the voluntary sector in Scotland. SCVO seeks to advance the shared values and interests of the voluntary sector. We have over 1,300 members who range from individuals and grassroots groups, to Scotland-wide organisations and intermediary bodies.

Our members employ over 50,000 people which is more than 40% of the total paid workforce of the sector. The sector does not just have paid staff, there are over 1.3 million volunteers too. Every year the sector generates £4.1 billion to help people and communities across Scotland. For more on SCVO, please see www.scvo.org.uk