The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is "pleased" with the Conservative Party Manifesto's commitment to civil society, but the Charities Aid Foundation is reserving judgement.

Part of the Conservative "big society" plans involve allowing parents and charities to set up new academy schools, and giving communities the right to buy their local pub or post office.

Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: "We are pleased to see that civil society is at the heart of the Conservative manifesto. Several commitments within the manifesto demonstrate an understanding of many of the issues and concerns raised by the voluntary sector.

"In light of previous Conservative proposals to divert Lottery funding away from the voluntary sector, we particularly welcome the new commitment to secure this essential, independent source of funding for voluntary and community groups."

The manifesto also makes a specific commitment to work with local authorities to promote the delivery of public services by social enterprises, charities and the voluntary sector.

The main new commitments relating directly to the voluntary sector are:

Restoring the National Lottery to its original purpose, reducing administration costs, and ensuring that 100% of Big Lottery Fund goes directly to the voluntary and community sector

Sports, heritage and the arts will each see their original allocations of 20 per cent of good cause money restored

A "right to bid" to run any community service instead of the state

A review of the criminal records and 'vetting and baring' regime, scaling it back to "common sense levels"

A work programme delivered through private and voluntary sector providers, which will be rewarded on a payment by results basis for getting people into sustainable work

Any petition that secures 100,000 signatures will be eligible for formal debate in Parliament.

As previously announced, the Tory manifesto also reiterates commitments to:

A "community right to buy" scheme to give local people the power to protect any community assets that are threatened with closure

Implementation of the Sustainable Communities Act to give people greater information on, and control over, what is being spent by each government agency in their area

Look at new ways to increase philanthropy and encourage people to ensure volunteering and community participation are things they do on a regular basis

Developing a measure of well-being that encapsulates the social value of state action

A fair deal on grants to give voluntary sector organisations more stability and allow them to earn a competitive return for providing public services
A national citizens service.

A Big Society Bank, funded from unclaimed assets, to provide new finance to neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprise and other non government bodies

Active neighbourhood groups and money for training independent community organisers

Transforming the civil service into a 'civic service' by making sure that participation in social action is recognised in civil servants' appraisals

An annual Big Society Day to celebrate the work of neighbourhood groups and encourage more people to take part in social action.

Hannah Terrey, head of policy and public affairs, Charities Aid Foundation, added:
"We welcome the emphasis of the Conservative Party's manifesto on the part to be played by Third Sector organisations in addressing social needs and increasing participation in local communities through their 'Big Society' ideas.

"As with Labour's proposals for the Social Investment Wholesale Bank, the Conservative's plans for a 'Big Society Bank' are welcome, but we need to ensure that any proposed wholesale bank is sufficiently capitalised to enable a steady flow of affordable funds to smaller community organisations, charities and social enterprises. As the election progresses, we look forward to seeing more detail on the party's plans to increase philanthropy and how these would work in practice."

Share Story: