Andrew Turner the Island’s MP, has welcomed the introduction of a Task Force designed to cut Red-Tape. Its purpose is to investigate and recommend measures to reduce the burdens on small not for profit organisations and help achieve the Government’s aim to make it easier to run a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation. The chair of the task force is Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts, President of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
There is also a similar task force set up to cut red-tape for farmers led by the former Director General of the NFU, Richard MacDonald. Both task forces are due to report to Ministers in early 2011.
Mr Turner said:
‘‘On the Island we have many small voluntary organisations and I know that the multitude of rules and regulations can be very burdensome. People sometimes tell me they have to spend more time on paperwork than helping others – which is what they want to do. I also hear from farmers exasperated with the endless forms they have to fill in.
“I would like to hear from anyone involved with a voluntary sector organisation or in farming who can give specific examples about how bureaucracy affects them and their work. I will be happy to feed that information into the relevant task forces so that Islanders can have a real say in helping the Government to cut unnecessary red-tape.
“Both task forces are being chaired by experts who know their subject – which is a welcome change from career civil servants being put in charge of such projects.”
Contributions can also be sent directly to the task forces. The voluntary sector team can be e-mailed at red.tape.taskforce@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk and the farming team’s website (whose public consultation closes on 31st October) is at engage.defra.gov.uk/farm-regulation/
END Contact : Andrew Turner’s office 01983 530808
