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Change Up Programme

Answer

In March this year, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced a further £70 million for change up and his intention to set up the Capacity Builders Agency to take this programme of investment forward. This is in addition to the initial £80 million investment in the change up programme from 2004–2006.Change up is a capacity building framework for the voluntary and community sector, which has a ten year vision that by 2014 the needs of frontline voluntary and community organisations will be met by nationwide support which is structured for maximum efficiency, offers provision which is accessible to all, reflects and promotes diversity and is sustainably funded.The Capacity Builders Agency will build on the good work to date and will manage the change up framework at arms-length from Government. It will take ownership of fund management, ensure the programme is joined up and co-ordinated, mainstream diversity issues into the design and delivery of activities within change up and ensure real time action learning and longer term evaluation.On 16 November, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the agency's new top team. The new chair is Chris Pond, the chief executive of the National Council for One Parent Families and formerly MP for Gravesham (1997–2005) and Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions. Simon Hebditch has been named chief executive of the agency.Simon is currently executive director of external affairs for the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). The chair and chief executive will be joined by a board consisting of: Caryl Agard, David Baxter, Margaret Bolton, David Harbourne, Roger Singleton and Margaret Talbot. Work is also continuing on the location, shape and function of the agency. A programme board which comprises representation from central and local Government and the sector meets every six weeks to drive forward the establishment of the Capacity Builders Agency.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

26666; 440 c2221-2W

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Cooperation Capital investment Public appointments Voluntary organisations Capacitybuilders

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk