Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ

In Wales the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖand the Third Sector have enjoyed a long history of direct engagement, supported through this Scheme, which is unique to Wales. This long term strategic engagement with the Third Sector remains important in informing policy development and helping to shape services to meet the needs of people in Wales.

It is important, therefore, that there are positive working relationships with the Sector, and effective representation at national, regional and local levels.

The following paragraphs set out the formal arrangements for engagement under the auspices of this Scheme. These arrangements are supported by a mutually agreed Framework for Engagement.

The Framework will:

• connect and give ownership to TSPC members in determining and tracking the process and progress
• facilitate TSPC members in their task to engage with the wider sector
• create a process which generates shared agendas and outcomes
• support more focused Ministerial meetings
• enable clearer outcomes for TSPC and Ministerial meetings
• add value to the contribution of both government and Third Sector
• maintain interest and commitment for both Third Sector and Ministers
• help both Ministers and Third Sector achieve their outcomes
• bring additional resources to the table

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Government, in conjunction with Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), will identify the relevant third sector networks and umbrella bodies with an interest in its work and agree practical arrangements for dialogue and co-operation at the operational level. In parallel, the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖexpects Third Sector organisations to co-operate with each other and form appropriate networks that are able to relate to the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖcollectively on common matters of policy and administration. The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖaims to meet regularly with representatives from Third Sector networks for this purpose and recognises the importance of ongoing regular dialogue and engagement with officials and Ministers.

These arrangements will cover:

• exchange of information and views on developments in Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖpolicies and priorities
• the means by which all parts of the Third Sector can engage in and contribute to the work of the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Government
• informing the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖof developments and concerns identified by the Third Sector through its work
• participation in working groups to develop new policies and strategies
• consultation arrangements on policy or new strategic programmes
• agreeing the parameters for co-operation in implementing such programmes
• dealing with administrative arrangements for funding programmes

In pursuit of its intention to work collaboratively and effectively with the Third Sector, the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖwill maintain a Third Sector Partnership Council as its primary mechanism for engagement with the Third Sector.

Wales Council for Voluntary Action will facilitate the election of the Third Sector representatives and ensure that, as far as possible, they reflect a cross section of Third Sector interests and activities. Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖmay invite representative from other sectors to attend meetings. Officials of the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖand officers of Wales Council for Voluntary Action will support the Third Sector Partnership Council. The Council will be chaired by the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Minister responsible for the Third Sector Scheme.

The Third Sector Partnership Council will:

• consider issues that relate to the strategic objectives and functions of the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖand which engage the interests of the Third Sector, and make recommendations to the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Government
• agree, monitor and review the Framework for Engagement
• advise on the implementation, monitoring and review of the Third Sector Scheme including establishing indicators by which the Scheme shall be evaluated
• facilitate consultation with relevant Third Sector organisations and Public Sector bodies on the Scheme’s implementation, operation and review
• assist in arrangements for reviewing the Scheme from time to time

The composition and working arrangements for the TSPC will be jointly agreed by the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖand the Third Sector.

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Ministers engage with the Third Sector very frequently through a variety of means. Examples include: meetings about specific issues; visits to organisations and communities; attendance at events and conferences; and via correspondence. The importance to the Third Sector of being able to meet with Ministers to discuss issues of concern is recognised, and is a key part of the relationship between Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖand the Third Sector.

Under the auspices of this Scheme, this normal engagement will be complemented by Ministerial meetings which focus more tightly on high level issues that affect more than one Third Sector organisation, and that merit Ministerial engagement.

These meetings will not seek to cover the whole range of a Minister’s portfolio at once, but each meeting will:

• normally relate closely to the outcomes which the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖand the Third Sector have identified as priorities and to the work of the TSPC
• focus on one or a few, linked, strategic issues which are related to those outcomes and to a significant number of Third Sector organisations
• be clearly action focused and timed to maximise the likelihood of enabling progress on the issues under discussion

The arrangements for Ministerial meeting will be set out in the Engagement Framework agreed by the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖand the Third Sector.

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Government’s Third Sector Team will monitor and review the pattern of all Ministerial meetings and report on this to the TSPC and, through the Third Sector Scheme annual report, to the National Assembly for Wales.

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖwill ensure that it takes into consideration, at a formative stage, the implications for the Third Sector of new policies or changes in policy. The Third Sector will understand that Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Ministers must take into account a range of perspectives and contributions in taking final decisions on policy making.

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖwill seek as far as possible to avoid or to mitigate any undesirable impact on the Third Sector and to identify and encourage opportunities for Third Sector organisations to be informed and involved in discussions at the earliest opportunity and before formal consultation where possible. The diverse interests of Third Sector organisations mean that it is not possible to specify every area of policy that might be of concern to the Third Sector; however, detailed guidance will be developed and published separately to help in assessing the potential impact of policies on the Third Sector. Any such guidance will not form part of this Scheme.

The Third Sector may be affected by directives and proposed legislation arising out from the European Union as well as out of domestic legislation and policy. The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖwill seek to ensure that the same considerations are applied to policy developments in these areas.

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖwill establish and maintain an internal liaison group comprising representatives of each Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖdepartment having contact with the Sector, to exchange information and ensure that the principles and commitments of the Scheme are being upheld.

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖis committed to setting out agreed procedures for consultation on policy changes and new policy developments which affect the Third Sector which include:

• opportunities for continuing discussion between Third Sector , volunteering interests and Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖto foster early understanding and involvement in policy development
• consultation arrangements that normally allow adequate time for wider consultation with networks and service users
• supporting the role of umbrella bodies and intermediaries in facilitating consultation
• feedback to respondents on the replies to and outcomes of the consultation
• opportunities for the sector to continue to be involved at the implementation and evaluation stages of the policy

The Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖwill ensure that these commitments are fully reflected in guidance to its staff to be followed when undertaking consultation exercises. These procedures will be detailed in the guidance issued to Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖofficials and will be the subject of periodic consultation with the Third Sector.