Voluntary and community organisations have set up an agreement to work together for the benefit of Basildon.

The agreement is designed to help local groups provide effective and high quality services through a shared vision.

Its aim is to create "a Basildon district where the relationship between the voluntary and community sector and the statutory sector is one of mutual trust and respect. A district where decision-making processes are in partnership, clear, mutually agreed, adhered to and fitting into wider policy issues".

Council leader Malcolm Buckley said: "We want to encourage these groups to give their all to the community. But we should be supporting not controlling what they do."

Stephen Hillier, portfolio holder for regeneration and development, said: "The council should be able to facilitate greater action among the voluntary sector. By helping the voluntary and community sectors to take a role we can remove the social exclusion people might have."

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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