Voluntary Sector leaders are urging the UK government to engage in closer consultation with the third sector during the UK’s Presidency of the EU.

The chief executives of some of the most influential and high profile organisations in the sector have written to the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, reminding him of the valuable role played by the civil society stakeholders consultation group formed in 1998, the last time the UK held the EU Presidency, and suggesting that similar arrangements be made this year. Until now the Government has given no indication of any such plans.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the NCVO, and one of the letter’s signatories, said: “Citizens must have ownership of the institutions that influence their lives, including the EU and we are looking forward to an EU Presidency which directly involves voluntary and community sector organisations. Many voluntary organisations are affected by EU decisions on matters such as employment legislation, childrens’ rights, environmental legislation and disability issues. As such they play an important role in informing and shaping policy in key areas which affect many European citizens.”

Signatories to the letter included the chief executives of the NCVO, SCVO, NICVA, BOND, NSPCC, RNIB, RSPB, Sense and CSV. Their first request of the government was to be sent a copy of the various departments’ schedules of Presidency events.