View this document as a <Word File >

The ACT Government is reviewing its approach to funding and service purchasing with the non-government sector, to improve the way relationships and arrangements work. This review is timely given the current policy dates from 1997.

The Chief Minister’s Department is coordinating the development of a new policy through the Government Service Purchasing Working Group, which involves representatives of all Government agencies. The Joint Community Government Reference Group is supportive of the process and has had input to shaping the consultation process.

The review aims to take strong account of the ACT Government’s policy directions, the partnership approach set out in The Compact between the Government and community sector, and experience of service purchasing to date. The Government is seeking greater clarity, consistency and security in funding arrangements than has occurred to date.

A draft policy paper has been prepared and is being distributed to facilitate feedback and discussion that will lead to further development of the policy. A copy is enclosed.

The draft policy proposes a two-stage implementation process. Most community organisations had their contracts extended for 12 months from July 2002. The Government is aware that arrangements for July 2003 need to be clear and in place as soon as possible. So this first stage of the draft policy will be fast-tracked.

Stage two of the policy development will cover all other aspects of the funding relationship, leading to more effective services for consumers and the community, a more sustainable community sector and more consistency in contract management across government. This development work will need to be done over the next 12 months, for full implementation by July 2004.

RPR Consulting has been contracted to organise and facilitate consultation with the community sector, analyse submissions and write a report with recommendations for improvements to the policy. Lyla Rogan is the project manager. Lyn Stephens will assist her in some of the consultation.

7 community consultation meetings targeting different service sectors will be held in April and May, details are included in this notice.

Four focus groups will be held with different types of organisations. These will be by invitation, but will include:

• Indigenous organisations
• Large multi-purpose organisations
• Small single purpose organisations
• Peak bodies.

RPR invites organisations to make written submissions or, in other forms (email/letter), make written comments on the policy.

Consultation meetings will allow for:

• general comments on the policy – strengths, concerns and gaps
• structured discussion of key sections of the policy including: principles, funding arrangements, funding plans, contract specification, contract management and quality.
• scoping implementation issues.

Before you come to the meeting please make sure you have read the draft policy.

We encourage you to talk with others in your organisation as a way of highlighting issues that can be brought to the consultation.

Please read the ACT Compact on community partnership. This deals with the broader principles and undertakings that relate to the relationships between government and the community sector. If you don’t have copies contact Sally Readshaw in the Chief Minister’s Department.

Bring the draft policy and Compact along to the meeting so you can refer to it if needed in discussion.

The meetings aim to bring groups of services and organisations together that are in a related service area or have a common government funding relationship.

Contract managers in the relevant departments will be invited to attend the meetings to ensure their familiarity with the issues being identified by organisations they work with. A separate process will be used to gain feedback from government staff on the policy itself.

Select the meeting that best fits with the business of organisation. You are welcome to send representatives to a number of meetings if your organisation is involved in multiple funding relationships or activities.

The open community forum is for those organisations unable to attend the designated meeting or who don’t fit the identified categories.

• Health related community services and advocacy groups

• Counselling, information and rights advice services

• HACC and disability services and advocacy groups

• SAAP and social housing services and advocacy groups

• Children’s, youth and family services and advocacy groups

• Open Community forum

• Environment, arts and multicultural services and groups

We need you to advise whether you will be attending so we can ensure the venue and catering is right.

Please RSVP to Robin Webb or Lyla Rogan at the RPR office by email, phone or fax. Ensure you give us the name of the person, the organisation and the date/time of the meeting you will be attending.

Send any written submissions or communications to RPR Consulting by Friday 9 May 2003.