21 February 2008
The third sector has to key role to play in improving public services across Wales, the Welsh finance minister has said.
Andrew Davies told a Welsh Council for Voluntary Action conference in Cardiff on February 21 that the sector had always pioneered new and innovative ways of delivering services and could play a central part in bringing about change.
'[The voluntary sector] has been flexible in its thinking and willing to look at new methods for tackling long-established challenges,' Davies said.
'I do not see the future as being one of 'sector versus sector'. My vision is one of mixed provision of public services. The man or woman on the street does not care if the services they receive are provided by their local authority, a voluntary organisation or a social enterprise. Their only concern is the quality of the services they receive.'
Davies cited examples of how the third sector is leading the way in Wales. They included Cartrefi Cymru, a charity that provides housing and round-the-clock support services to people with learning disabilities and has now negotiated partnerships with 16 local authorities.
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