The full findings from the 2004 voluntary and community sector (VCS) review were launched yesterday at a “Third Sector Summit” hosted by Paul Boateng, chief secretary to the Treasury, and Fiona Mactaggart, charities minister, at Number 11 Downing Street.

The review explored what could be done to build understanding and strengthen local partnerships, following the results from the 2002 Cross-Cutting report.

The full findings have been published within three documents:
• Working together, Better together, which suggests ways to press for progress in particular service areas;
• Exploring the role of the third sector in public service delivery and reform, on how the sector can realise its full potential contribution to service delivery, including involvement in the design and evaluation of public services; and
• Effective Local Partnerships, a practical checklist to consider when developing local Compacts, or when entering partnership arrangements.

Fifty key representatives from voluntary organisations were invited to attend the summit, and to hear the ministers’ plans for future work, which include reviewing the rules on clawback, endowments and dowries to see how they can be reformed to improve funders’ ability to work with third sector bodies.

Paul Boateng said: “Two years ago I chaired a cross-cutting review of the role of the VCS in service delivery. This laid the foundation for a new and exciting phase in the relationship between Government and the VCS. Much progress has been made and we continue to push ambitiously for full implementation of this vision. I hope this further contribution will both deepen and reinforce the foundations for future work between government and the sector.”

The review documents can be found under www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/voluntarysector under the 2004 VCS review link.