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"The white paper is excellent news for the local voluntary and community sector," says Neil Cleeveley, director of information and policy for NAVCA - the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action. "It establishes the principles of a 'new settlement' between communities and local government. Let's build on the principles established by the white paper and develop strong and workable proposals for making these a reality.

"There are many proposals in the white paper that are of potentially immense benefit to local communities. We warmly welcome the 'Community Call for Action'; the extension of Best Value to involve communities in service planning and delivery; the potential transfer of under-used local government assets to communities; and greater support and encouragement for tenant management organisations.

"We believe that setting down 'local charters' to determine service standards will be an important way forward, providing the consultation in setting them includes the full involvement of local VCS groups as representatives of their communities.

"Proposals to establish standards - in co-operation with NAVCA and other third sector representative bodies - by which local third sector bodies should organise themselves to ensure effective representation on local strategic partnerships (LSPs) are of great potential value to our members. We hope this could be the beginning of much stronger and more consistent involvement by the local VCS in local strategic planning. However, the standards must be combined with adequate funding for local VCS infrastructure bodies, to ensure they can operate effectively.

"Local authorities will, we hope, respond with enthusiasm to the opportunities for the 'new settlement' bringing together local government, communities and community groups. In particular, we hope that councils will recognise the importance of the full involvement of the local VCS in city development companies and in providing stronger strategic leadership in local areas, with the local VCS accepted as full partners.

"Recognising that we are still at the start of a journey, we are putting forward our Manifesto for Stronger Communities, which we hope to persuade ministers to put at the heart of the 'new settlement'. We are delighted to be at the threshold of a new approach to neighbourhoods and communities.

"The values stressed by the local government white paper are precisely those of the local voluntary and community sector. Local VCS groups lie at the heart of the character of local areas; they help build, maintain and improve their communities; and they are central to civic engagement. We hope that the white paper's principles will now be matched by commitments from all local authorities to further action and full engagement with their local VCS."

NAVCA endorses the statements in the local government white paper proposing the strengthening of local communities. As the voice of the local voluntary and community sector, NAVCA looks forward to working closely with the Department for Communities and Local Government and with the Local Government Association in developing the best ways to enable this to happen.

NAVCA manifesto for stronger communities

Key points:

1. The local VCS is central to local government's newly recognised key role of 'place shaping'.
2. The local VCS is central to civic engagement - recognised in the white paper as a priority for local government.
3. The local VCS is central to strengthening 'social capital' - recognised in the white paper as a weakness of contemporary society and a priority for local government to address.
4. The local VCS has long been committed to what is now being termed 'co-production' and which the white paper says local government should take on board.
5. The local VCS should play a key role in helping local government towards 'good commissioning'. But good commissioning is about getting the best services and the best value for money - not always buying at the lowest cost.
6. Local Area Agreements should be used to strengthen local community engagement and the role of the local VCS.
7. Community Micro-Grants should be put in place as a key mechanism for strengthening community engagement.

NAVCA manifesto for stronger communities

The manifesto for stronger communities has been presented to the Government, for consideration by the Department for Communities and Local Government and by HM Treasury, as part of NAVCA's response to the Comprehensive Spending Review.

For further information contact: Neil Cleeveley, Director of Information and Policy, NAVCA.

See also NAVCA and LGA agree to work together to strengthen communities.