Council has 'taken active steps to protect charity funding' claims senior councillor (From Harrow Times)

"We give millions to voluntary sector" says Cllr David Perry after call to protect charities from cuts

5:30pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Jaber Mohamed

Harrow Borough Council has actively taken steps to “protect the support to voluntary and community organisations” claims a senior councillor.

Portfolio holder for community and cultural services, Councillor David Perry, said he is aware of the financial pressures the third sector is currently facing and has agreed to meet with representatives to discuss any concerns.

This follows calls from Angela Dias, the chief executive of the Harrow Association of Disabled People, for the council to do more protect services provided by charities and community groups.

Cllr Perry said: “At both the grants advisory panel and full council meeting in February, I publicly agreed to meet with Angela Dias and other voluntary sector representatives to discuss future services and local concerns facing the voluntary sector.

“We have a fantastic working relationship and partnership with the voluntary and community sector in Harrow.

“Therefore the Council is fully aware of the pressures the voluntary sector is currently under.”

The Marlborough ward councillor said the proportion of funding and support the council gives to the voluntary sector as a whole amounts to millions of pounds.

This money comes in many forms including Service Level Agreements, grant funding, premises support and infrastructure support.

Cllr Perry added: “The Council has actively taken steps to protect the support we offer to the voluntary and community sector.”

Mrs Dias said the third sector works with a quarter of people across Harrow and that any funding is extremely valuable.

She added: “As services are getting more expensive because of the cuts and as people have to pay more, our role is more vital.”

“We can deliver services much more cheaply than the authority or the private sector.”