This latest NCVO report looks at the implications of ongoing austerity, and estimates the scale of cuts affecting the sector. If current plans go ahead, the sector will receive £1.7bn less funding from government in 2017/18 than in 2010/1
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
17 July 2012
The Commission on the Future of Local Government – a group of council leaders, academics, and organisations that work closely with local authorities – has published a report that outlines "civic enterprise" as one of five key propositions for local authorities.
The report says local authorities should do more to support third sector and private sector organisations that are improving their communities, and should make sure that they do not prevent those organisations from achieving their goals.
The report says councils needed to abandon a "managerialist, formulaic and hierarchical partnership approach that too often produces meetings and policy papers rather than action that improves people’s lives".
Several charities have committed to provide future support to the Commission, including NAVCA, which has said it will help "identify and champion great examples of civic enterprise and civic entrepreneurs from the third sector".
Joe Irvin, chief executive of NAVCA, said charities and community groups provided many of the best examples of civic entrepreneurs. "People set up and run local charities and community groups because they are motivated to improve their communities," he said. "We want evidence of how local councils help these people – and how they, sometimes inadvertently, stop them achieving more."
The Commission’s report can be accessed from: Click Here
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
