The government is to invest in the training of the 2,000 most significant commissioners for the third sector, as detailed in its action plan for third sector involvement in public service delivery. A series of commissioning principles have also been set out to guide decision making on third sector delivery contracts.

The plan commits to a move towards multi-year funding, and a range of standard contracts are to be drawn up based on existing good practice for use when signing up third sector partners.

The government says it will measure and reduce the administrative burdens on contracts with the third sector, and ensure that public services learn from the best of third sector practice. By 2010, user-led organisations are to be established in every area of the country so that socially excluded groups are better able to hold services to account and improve them.

Speaking to Charity Times, minister for the third sector Ed Miliband said the initiatives laid out in the action plan would make a difference, but would take time to trickle down to the front line.

“I think starting to train commissioners will start to change the experience on the ground but I think it would be wrong for me to say that all these changes will happen overnight. We have to go through a real culture change and show commissioners and others the benefits that the third sector can provide,” he said. “I think we want to start to have that culture change happen very soon. I think we also have to be realistic that it will take time.”

Aware that focusing on third sector involvement in public service delivery will attract criticism, the action plan acknowledges that government must not shirk its duties on public services. “The greater involvement of the third sector in delivery must not be about government abdicating its responsibility to fund public services,” the document said. “Instead, it is about ensuring that, in the right circumstances, the sector can deliver services where it is best placed to do so.”

“People who are interested in public services improving understand that and support that,” Miliband added. “This is not about the government telling the sector to get involved. There are all kinds of ways that third sector will want to get involved. Some will want to deliver, some will want to redesign public services and not deliver.”

Conservative charities minister Grey Clark responded to the action plan with scepticism, fearing charities involved in public service delivery could become swamped by red tape. “In the past, government initiatives on the voluntary sector have often promised more than they have delivered. Charities, social enterprises and volunteers already make a huge contribution to our public services,” he said. “I’m glad that ministers want to see this role enhanced, but they must allow voluntary organisations the freedom to innovate and to respond directly to the needs of public service users.”

Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo, said he welcomed the determination of Chancellor Gordon Brown to provide an expanded role for the third sector in public service delivery and a stronger voice for users.

“There have been significant barriers to the sector playing a bigger role, especially on contracting. Our members have long campaigned for reform, and I was delighted to hear the Chancellor announce his commitment to three-year funding for the sector,” he said. “The action plan poses challenges for us as sector leaders. We need to look at capacity and leadership in our organisations in deciding on our response.”