Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
VSNW believes that local voluntary and community sector groups should be supported to take a lead in defining Localism. We have therefore written to MPs in the North West asking them to talk to local groups.
We would like local groups to talk to MPs and outline a vision of localism that belongs to them.
Getting the Localism Bill Right (May 2011), VSNW’s guide to the Localism Bill, highlights six key areas of the Bill and proposes six principles that could be used to shape and define “Localism”:
Principle 1: "That Localism is open and inclusive for all local people"
Principle 2: "Communities should have a say in making decisions that affect them"
Principle 3: "Local services should be shaped by and accountable to local communities"
Principle 4: "That Localism promotes a caring and broad sense of community"
Principle 5: "That the assets of the state are owned on behalf of our communities"
Principle 6: "That Localism builds local strength without becoming solely inward-looking"
Key links
Decentralisation and the ‘Localism Bill’: an essential guide which outlines how the Bill and other DCLG policies, through six areas of activity, will shift us “from Big Government to Big Society”.
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes
Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West
The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned.
An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas
