To make the case, I need your help

We had a very successful AGM last Tuesday, with a keynote speech from Councillor Andrew Burns. Councillor Burns very openly described the challenges that lie ahead for all of us working to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Edinburgh. He admitted with honesty that there is “broken trust” between politicians and citizens, and emphasized his wish to be part of the solution.

While pointing out that we have no magic wand to fix either the broken trust or the current financial situation, Councillor Burns said he was determined to work with people to find the best way forward.  In his opinion, working toward a Cooperative Capital is the best approach.

The administration has published a contract with the citizens of Edinburgh, as well as 53 pledges against which they will measure their work and be evaluated by their constituents.

Councillor Burns detailed the progress so far:

• a Cooperative Development Unit has been established;
• the Council Committees have been restructured, with a focus on the priorities agreed within the pledges;
• creation of a Petitions Committee, currently chaired by Cllr Maggie Chapman, opening the Council agenda directly to the issues and concerns of citizens who make use of this route;
• creation of a new position – parent representative – to be appointed with full voting rights to the Education, Children and Families Committee ;
• introduction of the “living wage” for council employees (Pledge 25);
• open budget consultation 3 months in advance of budget decisions.

Councillor Burns repeatedly asked us to participate in the budget consultation, the petitions process, policy and strategy debates, and the Communities and Neighbourhood Committee discussions.

So what does all this mean for us as a sector?

Well, Councillor Burns was not pretending that it would be easy or pain-free.  There is a huge cultural and practical shift required, in order to deliver on the pledges aimed at cooperative working, early intervention and prevention – and all at a time when demand is increasing and money is decreasing. 

There is obviously a financial implication in the Council’s combined strokes for its employees: introduction of the living wage and a no-redundancy agreement.  There are no such guarantees for the voluntary sector or its employees.  Councillor Burns promised an incremental introduction of “living wage” as a condition of procurement – but no timelines.

The results from EVOC’s recent survey show a really worrying situation:

• organisations whose grants have been at standstill or diminishing for over 5 years
• salaries frozen and staff hours reduced
• waiting lists increasing
• difficulty in retaining and maintaining quality of service
• ‘backroom’ supports already cut or no longer in existence.

There is a real feeling that there is nothing left to trim.  Any further cuts would result in a direct loss of service or in worse cases, organisations losing viability.  It was pointed out to Councillor Burns that grant recipients are often small, local organisations which provide the very same preventative and early intervention services which he aspires to prioritise.

At the AGM, the questions from the floor were asked in the spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding and quiet determination to demonstrate the worth of the sector. It is going to become increasingly difficult, some would say impossible, to deliver services that meet increasing demand, and to act as good employers, as we struggle to keep our organisations viable.  However, I remain committed to the fact that together we are a strong and significant voice demonstrating the vital role of the Third Sector in Edinburgh.

To make the case, I need your help. Please continue to gather and share your evidence about the impact of standstill or decreasing income; please come to discussions at network meetings, forums and consultation events; please email your thoughts and information to me. You can contact me directly to share your story (use “budget consultation evidence” in the subject line.) The more evidence I can gather, the more compelling the picture I can paint and the more convincing the arguments I can make.

EVOC will:

• publish the analysis of the funding survey;
• present the findings to the Council Budget and Finance committee;
• host further discussions about the draft budget and pertaining issues;
• collate and present evidence of the Third Sector’s role in prevention and early intervention;
• highlight the potential, unintended consequences of funding cuts;
• do all we can to contribute Third Sector input to the budget consultation.