The Wheel Policy Forum MEMBERS UPDATE December 2014

CONTEXT Restoring public trust and confidence Continuing falls in statutory/donated funds Moves away from block grant to procurement by competitive tendering Rationalisation of services (mergers) General focus on avoiding duplication of funding – Apportionment Policies Public Accounts Committee New Era of Multiple Regulation SORP

Restoring Public Trust and Confidence Charities Act 2009 – Register and Reporting SORP for Financial Reporting by Charities Guiding Principles for Fundraising Governance Code for CV Organisations Media Engagement GoodCharity.ie

Continuing falls in statutory/donated funds Pre-budget press briefings drawing attention to the extent of the crisis Regular workshops on diversifying income Guide to funding your organisation about to be published Work to promote social enterprise approach: Social Enterprise Task Force ResourcePoint

Moves away from block grant to procurement by competitive tendering European Procurement Directives – submission to DPER and other departments on transposition of directives and use of social clauses in contracts Major research planned to show what would be lost if the community and voluntary led approach fails to be supported in new procurement approach

Rationalisation of services (mergers) General focus on avoiding duplication of funding - Apportionment DPER paper on funding / initiative HSE focus on rationalisation INKEx project Apportionment (recent SSNO scheme)

Public Accounts Committee CRC, Rehab, Positive Action…?? Promoting importance of Governance Code Transparency and Accountability Public Benefit Trusteeship We are not “owners” of funds – rather we are guardians of public funds that we control for a charitable purpose

New Era of Multiple Regulation Charities Regulator Revenue Commissioners Companies Registration Office Director of Corporate Enforcement Gardai Lobbying register Standards in Public Office (Electoral Acts) –The Whels Ready for Regulation resources

Other relevant processes and initiatives HSE Section 39 Network of Interest Alignment process between local development and local government –Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP), Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) Roll out of Peoples Participation Networks (PPNs)

National Policy on Local and Community Development (due for consultation by DECLG soon) Community Employment Schemes - Network of members of The Wheel General Election 2016? 2015?

The Wheel’s Policy Priorities Increasing the credibility of the CV sector in the aftermath of the crisis Ensuring the role of the cv sector in supporting communities is valued and understood Progressing the active citizenship agenda and ensuring inclusive local government and local development

True? The voluntary and community led approach results in… –Responsive services tailored to individual needs? –A flexibility in approach? –Rapid responses to new and emergent need? –A value for money focus? –Involvement of users in design and control? –Commitment of volunteer board members? –Commitment of value driven staff –Empowered communities?

The Wheel’s Research 2015 To research these claims To demonstrate the value of the sector and identify what would be lost if the added value that the community-led, public benefit motivated, not for profit approach is not accommodated and supported

Group Discussions HSE Section 39 issues Charity Regulation issues Local Development / Local Government Issues Procurement and Competitive tendering Issues Apportionment Policy Issues Community Employment Scheme Issues

Summary: Priorities for CV Organisations Staying in operation: Diversifying income and raising funds Cutting costs – doing more with less Finding new ways of working: Collaborate Focusing resources on what matters: Outcomes for groups and people served Partnership-working Advocacy challenge Governance: changing public attitudes

The Wheel responding: Strategy Four strategic themes will shape our efforts over the next four years: 1.Building a fair and just society 2.Recognising and valuing the community and voluntary sector 3.Developing the community and voluntary sector 4.Enhancing the effectiveness of The Wheel

Conclusion Thank you! to get more involved in our advocacy work on behalf of the