The chief executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has welcomed the first meeting to take place of the Third Sector Partnership Steering Group, which has been set up to improve links between the public and voluntary sectors in Scotland.

It is hoped the meeting, which took place this week, will lead to a formal partnership between charities and the Scottish Government.

SCVO CEO Anna Fowlie said the meeting “marks an important step” toward ensuring there is effective partnership working between public sector bodies and charities to tackle “the biggest challenges Scotland faces”.

Fowlie attended the steering group's first meeting. Its other members include Inclusion Scotland's CEO Heather Fisken, Scottish Rural Action's CEO Helen Keron and Children in Scotland's CEO Judith Turbyne.

It is co-chaired by Scottish Government director of communications and ministerial support Andrew Bruce and former chief executive of North Ayrshire Council Elma Murray.

Also attending was Matthew Sweeney, chief officer for communities at council body the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

The group's full membership can be found here.

The formation of the group mirrors work by the UK government through its Civil Society Covenant, and setting up of a Civil Society Council, to improve links between charities and Whitehall.

“The success of the partnership will depend on meaningful engagement with the full diversity of voluntary organisations across Scotland, and with all parts of Scottish Government,” said Fowlie.

She added: “Ahead of the election, SCVO worked with the voluntary sector to develop a shared ask for a new, formalised partnership with the Scottish Government, one that is set in law.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the sector and government to shape an agreement that meets those ambitions.”

Earlier this year Fowlie wrote to Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney to set out proposals for strengthening links between the public and voluntary sectors.

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