To ask the Scottish Executive what funds Highlands and Islands Enterprise made available in the form of grants under the Strengthening Communities budget for distribution to the voluntary sector in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09.

Distribution of grants to the voluntary sector is an operational matter for Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked its chief executive to write to you on this matter.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has put in place to ensure that voluntary organisations are aware of where they may seek alternative project funding, in the circumstance where the organisation was previously eligible to apply for funding through the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) but is no longer eligible as a result of introduction of the social enterprise criteria.

In line with the reforms to the enterprise agencies, HIE will increasingly focus its strengthening communities interventions on the most remote and fragile areas and on activity which will promote the sustainable economic development of those areas. This includes developing the social economy, to which end it will work closely with Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS) and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.

The Scottish Government provides funding to the CVS network to help the third sector to thrive and grow at local level across Scotland. This funding includes support for the provision of funding advice and support. CVS across Highlands and Islands, as elsewhere, has the experience and capability to provide this advice. I would advise any voluntary organisation in need of funding support to contact its local CVS in the first instance.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the change to Highlands and Islands Enterprise funding arrangements, what importance it places on providing adequate funding to the voluntary sector in the Highlands and Islands.

The Scottish Government places great importance on strong support to the third sector. This is why we have increased funding levels to the support networks of Volunteer Centres and Councils for Voluntary Service over this spending period, and why we are working with the third sector and the public sector to ensure the third sector is supported and strengthened at local level. In total, the Scottish Government has committed £93 million to building the capacity of the third sector in the period 2008-11, a 37% increase over the previous spending review period. This will help create the right environment in which the third sector can thrive, and create the conditions in which direct investment in the sector can have the greatest effect.

Local and national funding programmes – including the Scottish Government’s £30 million Scottish Investment Fund – will therefore be made in the context of the wider support that is being provided to the third sector.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the change to Highlands and Islands Enterprise funding arrangements, whether it anticipates that it will have an increased role in funding of the voluntary sector in the Highlands and Islands.

The Scottish Government expects all community planning partners to take into account the role and potential of the third sector in delivering public services, in helping to stimulate growth in the Scottish economy and in supporting community action at grassroots level.

For its part the Scottish Government has committed £93 million to building the capacity of the third sector in the period 2008-11, a 37% increase over the previous spending review period. This will help create the right environment in which the third sector can thrive, and create the conditions in which direct investment in the sector can have the greatest effect. Local and national funding programmes – including the Scottish Government’s £30 million Scottish Investment Fund – will therefore be made in the context of the wider support that is being provided to the third sector.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the change to Highlands and Islands Enterprise funding arrangements, whether it believes that Highlands and Islands councils have an increased role in funding of the voluntary sector.

In line with the reforms to the enterprise agencies, HIE will increasingly focus its strengthening communities interventions on the most remote and fragile areas and on activity which will promote the sustainable economic development of those areas. This includes developing the social economy, to which end it will work closely with Councils for Voluntary Service and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.

With responsibility for design and delivery of the single outcome agreement moving to all community planning partners, there will continue to be an important role for councils, as well as for the Scottish Government, the wider public sector and independent funders, in supporting the work of the third sector in the Highlands and Islands.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the change to Highlands and Islands Enterprise funding arrangements, whether additional funds have been provided to local authorities in the Highlands and Islands parliamentary region to allow the authorities to offer additional financial support to voluntary sector organisations.

Councils, along with their community planning partners and the Scottish Government, will continue to have an important role in supporting the work of the third sector in the Highlands and Islands.

For its part the Scottish Government has committed £93 million to building the capacity of the third sector in the period 2008-11, a 37% increase over the previous spending review period. This will help create the right environment in which the third sector can thrive, and create the conditions in which direct investment in the sector can have the greatest effect.