New draft rules to halt reductions in voluntary sector funding
The Communities and Local Government department has announced it may remove councils' responsibility for voluntary sector funding or force them to change their policies if they cut the sector's funding disproportionately, according to new draft rules. This follows Eric Pickles announcement against disproportionate cuts last month; new guidance from the department, published for consultation today, says councils "should seek to avoid passing on disproportionate cuts" to the voluntary sector. It also states that councils that are planning to cut funding for voluntary sector groups should give three months' notice to the groups and their service users if the funding cut "will materially threaten the viability of the organisation or the service it provides". The department has opened a consultation on the guidance, which closes on 14 June. Visit: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/bestvalueconsult
