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Local government is changing –
and we’re here to help you navigate it

NAVCA and ACRE are working in partnership to enable the VCFSE sector, local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) and rural community support charities, and forming unitary and strategic authorities to work together effectively through devolution and local government reorganisation.

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Latest News and Resources

What is devolution and how does it affect me?
Devolution is the transfer of powers from central government to new sub-regional authorities currently called combined authorities. Six new areas will have devolved strategic authorities from April 2026, with the remaining areas of England planned to have the new authorities by 2028-29. Here are seven reasons why this matters.
March 9, 2026
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Unseen but essential: what is the voluntary sector microbiome?
The voluntary sector microbiome is the small-scale voluntary or community organisations delivering community activities such as hobby groups, local gardening clubs or coffee mornings. These are often unregistered voluntary and community groups – and there are a lot of them. This blog explains how many there might be and why they are so important.
March 9, 2026
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Unseen but essential: the value of the voluntary sector microbiome in Integrated Care Systems
The voluntary sector microbiome is the small-scale voluntary or community organisations, which are often unregistered. The vital community activities they provide makes an essential contribution to health and wellbeing. This short resources explores their contribution to Integrated Care Systems (ICS).
March 9, 2026
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Changing geographies: collaborations, partnerships and mergers
The creation of new unitary and strategic authorities will mean that the established areas of which an ACRE or NAVCA member operates will change. The implications for where and how a LIO has to work could be profound. This resource explores different ways of working with LIOs base on existing experiences.
March 6, 2026
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‘Working with the voluntary and community sector during local government reorganisation

Guidance for councils going through LGR on how to work in partnership with the VCFSE sector through local infrastructure organisations (LIOs). It highlights the unique value the VCFSE sector brings to councils, the critical bridging role played by LIOs, and the risks to relationships, funding and community connection if this expertise is overlooked during transition.
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Learning from previous local government reorganisation

There has been quite a bit of local government reorganisation (LGR) in the last 15 years. This resource draws on the experiences of NAVCA and ACRE members whose areas have recently undergone LGR from two tier councils to unitary authorities. This will offer some guidance on the process, what to expect and issues to look out for. It will not be comprehensive, and this resource will be updated as more learning is generated as the process progresses.
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Unseen but essential: what is the voluntary sector microbiome?

The voluntary sector microbiome is the small-scale voluntary or community organisations delivering community activities such as hobby groups, local gardening clubs or coffee mornings. These are unregistered voluntary and community groups – and there are a lot of them. This blog explains how many there might be and why they are so important.
Download

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For more information about the project, email comms@navca.org.uk