Shadow Chancellor addresses property industry leaders
The Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC, MP outlines his stance on the state of Britain’s Voluntary Sector at charity fundraising event.
London, Tuesday 10th June 2003: The Shadow Chancellor, The Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC, MP was the guest speaker at a Property Lunch this afternoon in aid of Norwood, a leading UK children and family services charity. Addressing a capacity audience of over 450 leaders in the fields of property, law, insurance and associated industries, and barely 24 hours after confronting the Chancellor Gordon Brown in the House of Commons during a debate over the Euro, Michael Howard chose the platform of Norwood Property Lunch to the set out his stance on another issue close to his heart, the state of the voluntary (charity) sector in Britain today.
Michael Howard said: “It is all too easy to assume that all the needs of the disadvantaged can be taken care of by the state. This is a mistake. There is no society on earth where the state can take care of all people’s needs. There should always be a place for the voluntary sector, a place for charity. This is not only good for those in receipt, but also for those who volunteer. It’s a two-way street, and the benefits go both ways.”
The Shadow Chancellor continued: “Ever since the Labour Party came into power, the work of the voluntary sector has become increasingly constrained by red tape, rules and regulation, and growing bureaucracy.” He outlined a number of practical initiatives that a Conservative Government would introduce, designed to improve the way the voluntary sector operates in the UK. “Firstly, the concept of a single application form for charities requiring statutory funding; secondly, the introduction of a ‘one stop shop’ to streamline charities’ processes in applying for funding from a number of statutory sources; thirdly, a ‘passport’ guaranteeing a charity’s status, and acting as a gateway to funding from statutory sources. We believe these measures would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the voluntary sector and enable it to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Introducing Michael Howard, Norwood’s Chief Executive Norma Brier gave a stark account of the daily financial struggle charities like Norwood face. She said: “Whilst demand for our services consistently grows year-on-year, this has not been matched by Government funding. Ministers talk about the importance of the voluntary sector. The Treasury’s Cost Cutting Review states that the full costs of providing care should be met. But it simply isn’t matched in practice. Charities are still subject to irrecoverable VAT, which costs Norwood in the region of £500,000 a year. Is this fair given the voluntary sector’s ever-increasing burden of care on behalf of the State? Is it not preferable that voluntary income, always unpredictable, should rather be used for innovation and development?” Brier continued: “At Norwood we feel that there has to be a more equitable system of funding service delivery to some of the most vulnerable people in Britain’s society.”
Norwood has a wide ranging portfolio of over eighty communal and residential properties throughout London and the Home Counties, including three children and family centres in Hendon, Hackney and Redbridge; social and supported housing for adults with learning disabilities; respite care centres; residential accommodation for young adults and a boarding school for children between the ages of 11 – 19 years old with complex and profound learning disabilities. All are customised to the highest standards to meet the needs of residents and service users.
With legislation and statutory regulations placing increasing demands on the organisation, the close partnership that has been forged between Norwood and the property industry since the Property Lunch began five years ago, is absolutely crucial. “The charity’s property maintenance budget alone currently stands at approximately £700,000 a year” explained Edward Teeger, Head of Property at Norwood. “We welcome the Government’s introduction of guidelines detailing minimum care standards for all organisations in the UK providing residential care homes. However, the cost associated with the Minimum Care Standards is not being met through an increase in statutory funding and we estimate that it will continue to cost Norwood an additional £500,000 a year to fully implement them in time for the 2005 deadline. Therefore the need to generate voluntary income, through events such as our annual Property Lunch is greater than ever.”
The Property Lunch exceeded all expectations raising over £200,000 for Norwood. The event was sponsored by AXA in association with Property Week.
For more information contact...
Ronit Shebson
Public Relations Manager at Norwood
tel : 020 8420 6900
email : ronit.shebson@norwood.org.uk
