Below is the full speech of Diana Coman, Chair, Sutton Together Committee at the launch
"Thank you so much for coming today and helping us launch Sutton 'Together, a new consortium for the voluntary and community sector.
I found a qute the other day.
" Even if you're on the right track you'll get run over if you just sit there."
The voluntary and community sector in Sutton has successfully collaborated, built partnerships and worked togeter for the benefit of Sutton's residents. However, we all know that the funding climate has changed over the past four years and we are facing challenges as the Council looks to working in different ways with the voluntary sector organisations providing greater scope to take on delivery of local services.
Over a year ago to Concil approached the voluntary sector with the suggestion that it consider the establishment of a consortium which would allow local organisations to compete against the big names. SCVS and the Council held a seminar on the issue of consortia working and a few organisations at that meeting, expressed an interest in taking part in early discussions on the issue - supported by a consultant hired by the Council."