Contact Us
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk
Democratic participation
North West alienated from local democratic processes
Recent Government evidence suggests that people feel particularly alienated from local democracy in the North West. Low electoral turn-out supports this.
An opinion poll conducted for Communities and Local Government in February 2008 showed that, in the North West:
- nearly seven out of ten people do not feel that they are given an adequate say in how local council services are run
- 98% believe that their councils could be more accountable
- more than four out of ten people do not feel that councillors are representative of their communities
- six out of ten people do not believe that councillors adequately reflect their views.
This evidence was seen to corroborate key context assumptions behind the Empowerment White Paper, Communities in Control: real people, real power (9 July 2008).
Data sources (February 2008):
Featured Event
The Health White Paper Consultation
CONSULTATION FULLY BOOKED
The White Paper on Health has the potential to create one of the biggest changes to the structure and function of the NHS since its creation in 1948. Within the White Paper there are 5 consultations which are all open until early October. Although the ‘what’ in the White Paper has largely been decided, the ‘how’ is very much still being shaped.
Latest News
New apprenticeships for VCS organisations
Skills-Third Sector has carried out an extensive consultation with a wide range of organisations to determine the needs of the voluntary and community sector around apprenticeships, and will be developing new apprenticeship frameworks as a result.
Influencing the Spending Review - update
Latest updates for the departmental structural reform plans available
Future North West consultation now open
A document outlining the agreed strategic priorities of the North West based on the Regional Strategy consultation work over the last two years is now open for consultation until 8 October 2010.
Events & Trainings
VSNW’s list of events & training opportunities for VCS groups in the North West
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport have proposed a potential £750m reduction in Big Lottery Funding to VCS groups over the next five years
