FYI: launch of the new Treasury Unit

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UNISON Scotland Community & Voluntary sector e-group

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May 19, 2006, 10:33:57 AM5/19/06

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I thought you might be interested in the report below of the launch of
the new Treasury Unit yesterday in London attended by Lucy McTernan and
Martin Sime:

"Martin and I yesterday attended the launch of the new Treasury Unit
and its review 'of the future role of the third sector in social and
economic regeneration'. It became clear that the review is in fact much
wider than that, encompassing all things third sector, and constitutes
a formal strand of the Comprehensive Spending Review - feeding directly
into the conclusion stage in summer 07.

There will be (English) regional events between now and September
Sept-Nov there will be analytical workstreams on such as impact/value
assesment and modern philanthropy
Nov - interim report in the pre-Budget report
March 07 Full report in the budget

The review is being led by Ed Miliband as the new 'Minister for the
Third Sector' - from his post in the Cabinet Office (the review is now
jointly HMT/CO branded). He will be steered by a cross-departmental
group of ministers chaired by his boss Hilary Armstrong. The cross-dept
machinery that has been put in place and mainstreaming message seemed
formidable.

Ed Miliband spoke of his role as 'a voice across govt for the Third
sector'. He said 'every dept is a third sector dept'. He felt that this
govt and the sector had a 'joint endeavour and mission for a different,
more caring, more just society'. He will be sponsoring the English
Charities bill through Parliament - it is to be brought back soon.

I discussed with Ed Miliband and Treasury officials what, if any,
connection the review had with Scotland, and the possibility of an
event being held in Scotland. They are to discuss this further with Sc
Exec officials and Malcolm Chisholm. Whether or not an event is held,
there is clearly a need for us to tie-in with the CSR process in
Scotland. There is to be a new advisory group/forum to be chaired by
Maeve Sherlock (ex special advisor to the Chancellor, now Refugee
Council).

There was a panel of no less than 6 junior ministers from across
Whitehall departments (all in current post for only a week, some in
post at all for only a week) - all very on-message about the importance
of the 'third sector' in delivering their policy objectives. Ivan Lewis
(now in health) was particularly impressive. They were all clear that
the 'third sector' encompassed social enterprise, and voluntary and
community sector, and was being considered all together by govt, not
one in priority over the other. Barry Gardiner (Defra) forcefully
expressed the view that what organisations do, and the values under
which they operate, are more important than the structure, business
model or self-definition. .

Later in his own brief remarks Gordon Brown made reference to his
recent discussion with vol sector people in Fife as feeding into his
own drive on this subject - no doubt about the cross-border role as far
as he's concerned!. He also hadn't had the memo about the use of the
'third sector' language - preferring consistently 'voluntary sector'.

His officials were very aware of his expected speech at the CIVICUS WA
and will use it as an opportunity to promote the review and its wider
context and purpose."