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Last updated: 06 May 2009
6 May 2009
Today, Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector will publish the full results of the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations. Nearly 50,000 charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations took part - making this the largest survey of its kind.
In January, the Government set each local authority a key performance target (National Indicator seven - NI7) to improve the way they work with the third sector in their area. The full analysis, published today on the National Survey website, shows what needs to be done to help meet those targets.
The survey investigated whether third sector organisations felt that local statutory bodies helped them to succeed - i.e. the basis of their NI7 score. The results are striking, showing that:
When third sector organisations are satisfied with their ability to influence local decisions, and have some current contact with local statutory bodies , they give an NI 7 score of 75% (compared to the overall national score of 16%).
When there is dissatisfaction with the ability to influence local decisions and little or no current contact with local statutory bodies , third sector organisations give an NI 7 score of just 3%.
Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said:
“The survey clearly shows what councils, primary care trusts and other statutory bodies need to do to help their NI 7 score. Now that the survey has provided a baseline score - we will judge local statutory bodies on their progress at developing their relationship with local third sector organisations. “
The survey also explores the elements of a good funding relationship, which is another important factor for many organisations. The Minister said:
“During this economic downturn the third sector is more important than ever. A cut in grants to charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises who are helping some or our most vulnerable communities is not an efficiency saving.
“Overall, I’m confident that there will be progress, we’ve already had really positive feedback from the survey and I’m pleased to note that local statutory body chief executives are very keen to develop their relationships with the third sector.”
Commissioned by the Government and conducted by Ipsos MORI, the survey asked a range of questions about the relationship between third sector organisations and their local statutory bodies. The full results for each area are available via the Office of the Third Sector website, where users can pick the questions and answers they want to explore, cross-reference particular answers and compare local and national scores.