NAVCA will be meeting ministers from the Treasury, Department
for Communities and Local Government and Cabinet Office in December
to discuss the
Local Government White Paper and related issues. Some of the
main points for local infrastructure organisations are:
- A requirement for local authorities to involve the voluntary
and community sector (VCS) in Best Value should mean a role in
service reviews and a voice in how services are delivered.
- A more co-ordinated approach to community engagement with all
local partners developing a comprehensive engagement strategy.
- A commitment to 'strengthen' the ability of the VCS to build
community capacity so that groups that are normally
under-represented are able to participate.
- The need to support local groups in the use of the Community
Call for Action on behalf of local people - in particular working
with local councillors.
- Whilst there is unlikely to be an early rush to unitary status,
NAVCA members in two-tier areas are advised to find out the
intentions of county and district councils.
- A standard will be established for VCS representation on local
strategic partnerships. This will be particularly important as the
local authority will have a duty to consult and seek the
participation of the VCS in the preparation of the Sustainable
Community Strategy, which, in turn, will be the basis for local
priorities and decisions relating to Local Area Agreements. This
issue will be a high priority in NAVCA's discussions with the
Government.
- There will be new statutory health and well-being
partnerships.
- To ensure a 'strong and vibrant' VCS, three-year grant funding
will be encouraged as the norm.
NAVCA and NCVO are holding three free
briefing events on the
White Paper.
NCVO has produced a
briefing
which sets out the key elements of the Local Government White
Paper.