Government sets up taskforce to reduce third sector red tape burden

The government has announced the creation of a new task force aimed at reducing the regulatory and bureaucratic burden faced by voluntary organisations in an effort to make easier for them to provide public services as part of the government's Big Society initiative.

The taskforce, the creation of which was announced by Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, and Mark Prisk, Minister for Business and Enterprise, will be lead by Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, the current President of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).

Its remit will be to review the range of burdens that fall on small civil society organisations and make recommendations about how red-tape should be reduced, including changes to legislation or processes that are needed.  The taskforce has yet to decide which particular areas it will focus on, but the government has indicated that this may include the responsibilities of trustees and directors, employment law and contractual arrangements when civil society organisations provide public services. It is due to present its findings early next year.

Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, said: "This is a tough time for small civil society organisations and we want to make life easier for them. So I have asked for specific ideas on how we can thin the thicket of bureaucracy and regulation that too often gets in the way. I see it very simply. Every pound or hour we can save a small voluntary organisation is a pound or hour that could be better spent."

The other members of the taskforce are Andrew Hind, retiring Chief Executive of the Charity Commission; Lynne Berry, Chief Executive WRVS, David Tyler, Chief Executive Community Matters, Sir Graham Melmoth, retiring Chair NCVO and past Chief Executive Co-operative Group and David Thompson, Chair of Marstons PLC.

Lord Hodgson, the Chair of the Big Society De-regulation Taskforce, said: “I have accepted this role because I believe that the Government is serious about cutting the burden of red tape for civil society groups.  I relish this opportunity to try to thin out the red tape that puts people off doing more for their communities and that holds back innovative small organisations from growth.

“I’m very grateful to the taskforce members who have volunteered the benefit of their significant expertise to this important work. I hope very much that the sector will not be backward in coming forward to identify areas where bureaucracy can be reduced and make practical recommendations for action – this is their chance.”

The taskforce will also work with other initiatives, such as Lord Young's Health and Safety review, to help ensure that cuts to red tape are made in ways that are properly joined up and will consider or feed into related work, including the Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs review of bureaucracy associated with Gift Aid and the Home Office's initiatives on the criminal records and vetting and barring regime.