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Delayed plans into how £80 million will be used to build the Infrastructure of the voluntary sector has been unveiled by the voluntary sector minister, writes Sally Gillen.

But Fiona Mactaggart warned the sector that it had to use the money, which was earmarked in the Treasury cross- cutting review published in September 2002, innovatively or risk losing out on future government funding.

She told around 400 delegates at the annual National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service conference “If all you do is use the money to tackle the same old problems in the same old way, I am not convinced you will get continued funding.

"Be innovative because it is in your interests,” she urged.

The consultation document, which was expected in May, also sets out details for increasing the capacity of the sector so it is better able to take on a bigger role in public service delivery by 2006.

Two funds worth £2.4 million and £3.8 million, were also announced by Mactaggart to “kick-start” the strategy.

But delegates raised concerns that two years would not be long enough to do the work government expected.