Speech by Minister McCausland - 8th September 2011

Fri 09/09/11 15:48 - co3_admin

Please see below some key points from Minister McCausland's speech given yesterday.  The Minister conveyed a positive message about the role and importance of the sector but reflected the need for a 'new era of self reliance' that would seek out and reward innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.   The Minister made some comments about the Regional Infrastructure Programme in which he indicated a 25% cut and a single or consortia funding approach.  CO3 receives 35% of its funding from DSD, has been continuing to steadily develop its range of funding streams and is grateful to the large number of members who participated in the discussions on this recently.  The CO3 Executive Committee will be considering the implications of this news for CO3 and the sector and will continue to engage with members as future plans become clearer.  We would welcome the views of members.  Please email any comments to majella@co3.bz or leave a comment in our 'Forum' in the Members Section of the CO3 website.

To access the speech in full click here  Minister's Key Messages

  • Commitment to continue to work closely with the sector to deliver economic, cultural and environmental improvement in NI.
  • Under the Minister’s leadership the focus will be to encourage self reliance and social responsibility. It will permeate “all of our work”
  • The Department will work towards sustainability for voluntary and community organisations, which means:
    • Asking voluntary and community organisations to prove the value and impact of what they do as a condition of funding
    • Encourage those who seek to becoming self-sustaining
    • Prioritise frontline over infra-structure
    • Seek out and reward innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.
  • There was an emphasis on economic growth and that the social economy model holds the key to sustainability.
  • “Voluntary and  community organisations are on the edge of a new era when old certainties can no longer be relied upon and when a new spirit of self-reliance will need to pervade all you do.” In circumstances were organisations operate without recourse to public funds it would be inappropriate for the Minister to force mergers or insist on co-operation. “It is however, a different story where public money is involved.”
  • Minister has held “detailed discussions” in the Department on the future arrangements for the regional infrastructure programme and for the support of other policy areas, volunteering and advice services among them.
  • From April 2012 there will be significant change to current support arrangements with a clear emphasis on rationalisation and the ending of support contracts to be replaced with more targeted support.
  • 25% reduction in financial support for generic infrastructure from April 2012.
  • The Department will advertise for one strategic partner or consortia to deliver on generic infrastructure.
  • A similar approach will be adopted for support to volunteering, regional advice services, support for women and the faith sector. Detail is yet to be finalised.