NCVO local government manifesto

News UK April 2009[]

NCVO sets out local government manifesto, April 24 ^[1] topic

Working Together to Strengthen Local Communities outlines five key principles to strengthen relationships between voluntary and community organisations (VCO) and local councils.

In advance of the elections on 4 June, Stuart Etherington in a speech to the Association of Council Chief Executives, called all on all local authorities to:

Sign up to the Sustainable Communities Act 2008: Giving local people and communities a real opportunity to shape their future
Provide fair and sustainable funding for local voluntary and community groups: Good funding practice will maximise the contribution that VCOs can make
Respect and support the role of voluntary and community organisations as advocates and campaigners for their local community: Creating links between people and politics, ensuring that a range of voices can be heard
Work with voluntary and community organisations to ensure community assets are owned and managed in ways that benefit the community: Using assets to reinvigorate communities and provide a focus for action
Demonstrate commitment to their local voluntary and community sector through the operation of their local compact: A Compact way of working achieves better outcomes for local people

Quotes[]

“Voluntary and community organisations share the same objective as local government: to improve the lives of local communities and local people. We can only achieve this if we work effectively together. In the current economic climate – with increased demand for many local services at the same time that financial resources are decreasing – it is even more important that we work together to achieve better outcomes for local people and build stronger, more resilient communities.” Stuart Etherington, CEO, NCVO

Ideas Bank - Climate change - Environmental wellbeing - Social wellbeing - Economic wellbeing - Transport and Planning - Local sustainability - Community involvement - Global connections - Personal options - Ideas Bank by place - Village pump