# Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform

Dear Cabinet Secretary

I am writing following the publication of [SCVO’s latest Scottish Third Sector Tracker Pulse report](https://scvo.scot/research/scottish-third-sector-tracker/pulses/the-scottish-third-sector-tracker-pulse-2-autumn-2026), which explored, through focus groups, voluntary organisations’ experience of public service delivery and their hopes for the reform process that you are leading. I hope this of interest to you. 

The research underlines the essential role the voluntary sector plays not only in the delivery of public services, but also the crucial work that is done in communities across Scotland that can be missed when looking at the contribution through a public service delivery lens. This includes key preventative interventions, deep connections in communities, as well as providing essential social infrastructure.  

Our findings also underline what we know isn’t working – short-term public sector funding that doesn’t meet the cost of delivery, as well as the damage caused by poor partnership practice on the part of public authorities, defined by bureaucracy, risk aversion and siloed decision-making.  

Participants also set out what successful public service reform must deliver. Voluntary organisations warned that the sector cannot be expected to take on more responsibility without addressing the funding landscape – and the workforce and capacity challenges that stem from it. Contributors outlined the need for a place-based approach that recognises the unique challenges faced by different communities across Scotland. Reform must give communities and frontline organisations meaningful influence, with success judged by outcomes and the tangible difference made to people’s lives.  

I welcome the Scottish Government’s recognition of the role of the voluntary sector in public service delivery and reform. This is a commitment I know you take seriously and is reflected in the commitments in Scotland’s Public Service Reform Strategy. Regrettably, however, the voluntary sector is currently largely absent from the conversations that are taking place, and the governance structures that sit behind the reform process. That needs to change.  

The voluntary sector must be involved in shaping, designing, delivering and evaluating reform. Organisations want to see greater clarity about how this involvement will be achieved in practice, including clear timelines, measures of progress, and transparent reporting arrangements.  

Scotland’s voluntary organisations bring significant expertise, insight and community reach. There remains an opportunity to embed the sector meaningfully in the reform process, but that opportunity may be lost unless the right structures are established.  

I would welcome another discussion with you and your officials about how the voluntary sector can be meaningfully involved in the governance and delivery of the reform programme.  

Yours sincerely,  

**Anna Fowlie** 

**Chief Executive**

---

## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)