INDEPENDENCE PANEL OPENS ITS DOORS TO SHAPE NEXT PHASE OF INQUIRY
The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector is holding a public open evidence gathering session on the morning of 3 October. Those giving formal evidence include Anne Marie Carrie, Chief Executive of Barnardo’s; Clive Martin, Director of CLINKS, which represents voluntary organisations working with offenders and their families; Ben Kernighan, Deputy Chief Executive of the NCVO; and Alex Massey, Senior Policy Officer, ACEVO.
In addition, there is an open invitation to members of the public to attend and there will be an opportunity for them to contribute to the discussion. The evidence session will take place at the Baring Foundation at 60 London Wall London EC2 between 11.00am and 1.00pm on 3 October.
The Panel published its first Annual Statement on Independence in January this year, based on a six month period of consultation, evidence gathering and analysis of data from across the sector. The Statement said that the Panel had found “real and present” risks to the independence of the voluntary sector and said it would be looking for evidence of improvement in the year ahead in areas of concern, such as the Government’s funding and commissioning practices and the operation of regulatory and other safeguards.
To build on its initial findings, the Panel is seeking to deepen its understanding of the experience of different parts of the sector as it gathers evidence for its next report. In April, it heard from those representing smaller voluntary and community organisations about the issues. This is its second evidence gathering session, focusing on larger organisations and infrastructure bodies.
Chair of the Panel, Sir Roger Singleton CBE, said:
“Independence is what ensures that the interests of people served by the sector come first and it is particularly vital at a time when people are turning to voluntary organisations for help in increasing numbers as they feel the effects of the economic downturn.
“To help us prepare our second report on independence, we want to deepen our understanding of the issues facing different kinds of organisations and welcome the opportunity on this occasion to hear from larger organisations and infrastructure bodies. Anyone who would like to join the audience is welcome.”
Members of the public and media are welcome to attend, though they need to book their attendance in advance by emailing [email protected].
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Note to editors:
For media enquiries, contact Daniel Harris or Dominic Nutt on 0207 793 4035 or 07989 309058.
The Panel was initiated and is funded by the Baring Foundation to ensure that independence is seen as a top priority by the voluntary sector and those with whom it works and to make recommendations to ensure that it is not lost.
Chair:
Sir Roger Singleton, appointed July 2012. Sir Roger was chief executive of Barnado’s for 21 years, and was awarded a knighthood in 2005 for services to children.
Other Members:
Dame Anne Owers, Chair of the IPCC, of Christian Aid and Clinks and former Chief Inspector of Prisons. Nicholas Deakin CBE, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at Birmingham University and Chair of the Commission on the Future of the Voluntary Sector which reported in 1996. Andrew Hind CB, Editor of Charity Finance and Trustee of the Baring Foundation, formerly Chief Executive of the Charity Commission. Sir Bert Massie CBE, formerly Commissioner on the Compact and of the Disability Rights Commission. Julia Unwin CBE, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and an expert on voluntary sector independence. Louise Whitfield, Associate Solicitor at Pierce Glynn and an expert in public law and judicial review. Nick Wilkie, former Chief Executive, London Youth.