NAVCA manifesto for stronger communities

  1. The local VCS lies at the heart of 'place shaping', as Sir Michael Lyons has termed it in considering the future of local government. By its very character, the voluntary and community sector is the natural partner of local government - especially those parts of the VCS that are inextricably linked with their localities. This was recognised by the Audit Commission, which regards the achievements of the local VCS as an indicator of the quality of life in a local area.
  2. Civic engagement is central to the character and quality of a modern democracy. Where civic engagement is weak, government is also weak, with a weak mandate. The local VCS underpins civic society. Those most involved in volunteering and community action are the most likely to be involved in democratic processes. Indeed, involvement in the local VCS can be part of the democratic process, by strengthening the local accountability of public services and elected politicians. The local VCS is often strongly involved in projects that renew civic society.
  3. The absence of social capital is one of the most important causes of social exclusion. That lack of social capital can be seen in poor social networks, the failure to take up public services, lack of neighbourhood contacts. A strong local VCS and good local social enterprises frequently play key roles in overcoming these social weaknesses and building up social capital.
  4. The local VCS has a long and successful record in service user involvement in the design of services - the process now being called 'co-production'. Greater local VCS participation in local government's service planning processes can help councils to commission services holistically, helping them to better understand how to improve the planning, design and delivery of local services.
  5. NAVCA agrees that local authorities need to concentrate even more on good commissioning. But good commissioning is more than just procuring and is not always about buying at the lowest price. Good commissioning is about designing the right services, consulting the right people and involving the right people. The local VCS plays an important role in this. High quality, responsive, flexible and personalised services are essential parts of holistic 'good commissioning'. Local VCS groups can often provide those high quality services. It is essential that there is effective collaboration across the sectors and between big charities and small VCS groups to improve public sector commissioning and procurement and enable the local VCS to play the most effective role possible in the supply of local services.
  6. There should be comprehensive community engagement strategies in every local authority area. Local Area Agreements' statements of the involvement of the VCS and local people should set out a comprehensive community engagement strategy that complements the local Compact - which should be in place and working well in every area. Every Local Area Agreement should state how partners will build and protect the local VCS. All LAAs should include statements setting-out how the LSP partners invest in the community engagement capacity of the VCS. Grant aid should be recognised as appropriate and essential in many cases as a funding mechanism for the local VCS.
  7. A Community Micro Grants fund of £35m-£50m a year should be established, in line with the recommendations of the Local Community Sector Taskforce. This should be delivered through Local Area Agreements and offer small grants to community groups to develop social capital and build community capacity, including the training of leaders of community organisations. It is essential that funding is available to support neighbourhood and community empowerment and engagement and community capacity building, linked to the Local Area Agreement and paid through the local VCS.