Update from Alan Webb, CEO for Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway
“Colleagues, you will likely have seen recent coverage about the Scottish Government applying further restrictions on ‘avoidable spend’ to mean pausing all spending other than legally committed, emergency or important economic investment.
“We are already seeing cuts to multi-year commitments, those already promised – for example the recent five per cent cut of the Investing in Communities Fund. Whilst I recognise that not everyone’s funding comes directly from the Scottish Government, there is no doubt these decisions will have a knock-on impact on local public service spending too in a climate where our Council and NHS are making some very difficult decisions.
“I’m clear that our third sector across Dumfries and Galloway, as well as Scotland-wide, is essential to our communities, to health and wellbeing and to our local economies. At almost 2000 organisations strong, together our Dumfries and Galloway sector makes a real difference. From small groups to larger charities, we are rich with commitment, skills, experience and relationships. Ninety-five per cent of our sector is based locally and a majority of organisations and groups operate in a rural area. We will be focussing efforts on making our case for respect and investment whenever and wherever we can, and to help harness our collective impact by working well together too.
“In addition to our ongoing advice, training, events and advocacy work, we are turning our attention to some critical issues that will drive a sustainable sector;
- We are continuing discussions about local adoption of the Fair Funding Charter, ensuring that grants, contracts and commissions are aligned to the charter and to push funders to commit to a date for full adoption. We encourage you to make reference to the charter when applying for funding and to build your budgets with that in mind.
- Whilst we recognise that resources and capacity are always a challenge, we believe there are more opportunities to collaborate and to consider a new way of working together to achieve shared outcomes. Starting with Build, Innovate, Sustain in September, we want to work with partners and the sector to reimagine a collaborative model for Dumfries and Galloway that can be an answer to how we collectively address local priorities and attract investment in our work.
- If we are to realise our ambitions for Dumfries and Galloway together, we need to also consider our insights/evidence and how we demonstrate our impact. For example, rather than the sector responding to service requirements in a competitive framework, how can we encourage investment in what our sector does well already? How can we ensure that investment is focussed on what our communities (people and place) actually need? How can we show our sector can lead and isn’t secondary to other formal services?
“Earlier this year, we launched an interim Prospectus to set out our direction with and for the sector. Soon, we’ll ask for your views and reflections in order to make this Prospectus a long-term plan and move ahead to deliver with confidence.
“In the meantime, I’d be keen to hear if there’s anything further you’d like to see from us as the strategic representative of the sector. Drop a message to ceo@tsdg.org.uk
“Thanks for all you are doing.”