Write a commentSocial Development Minister Alex Attwood today attended a workshop in Newry to encourage better working relationships between Government and the voluntary and community sector. Alex Attwood met with voluntary and community organisations, businesses, other statutory organisations and the public to consider a proposed new framework for good working relationships between Government and the voluntary and community sector. The main aim of the framework or Concordat is to help develop civil society within Northern Ireland. Alex
Attwood said: "A good working relationship between Government and the voluntary and community sector is vital to the public interest. It helps to deliver better public services to those who need them most.
"My Department has worked closely with the Joint Government/Voluntary and Community Sector Forum to produce a new Concordat. I encourage all stakeholders to give the proposed framework their consideration and to respond constructively to DSD and the Joint Forum. I look forward to hearing your views.”
During the event, the Minister also listened to views on his department’s draft budget. He said: “I want local organisations, residents and families to have an influence over the budget. It is the most severe for a generation and I want as many people as possible to have their say on its content.”
