VCFSE Resources
Local government reorganisation and devolution will have real implications for the VCFSE sector. You can find a wide range of resources in this section, designed and written to support the VCFSE sector to be a key partner in these changes, understand the implications for your work, and know how you need to respond at each stage. New resources will be added regularly.
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Webinar takeaway resource
This resource is a summary and key messages from the webinar hosted by NAVCA and ACRE on 9 June. It includes what we learnt, helpful resource suggestions for you to explore LGR and devolution further, and a summary of tips shared in the session.
July 1, 2026
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
Webinar slides - what do LGR and devolution mean for you?
These slides are from our webinar on 9 June, about what devolution and LGR means for you.
July 1, 2026
VCFSE
ICB Changes from April 2026
A NAVCA Health Briefing that provides information on the changes to Integrated Care Boards from 1 April 2026. The new model of 26 ICBs creates significant changes for many.
June 15, 2026
rural, health, VCS, VCSE, system, ICB, ICS, 10 year plan, reorganisation
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Neighbourhood Health Framework
This NAVCA Health Briefing gives a summary of the Neighbourhood Health Framework published on 17 March 2026. It explores the three core reform agendas and their implications of it for the voluntary sector.
June 15, 2026
rural, VCS, VCFSE, VCSE, health, neighbourhoods, communities, prevention, services, ICS, ICBs, system, NHS services, 10 year plan, care
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Vision for Civil Society in Greater Essex
A Joint Vision for Civil Society in Greater Essex sets out an ambition for a thriving VCFSE sector and makes the case for partnership working and investment.
June 15, 2026
manifesto, VCS, VCSE, health, LGR, devolution, economic, value, contribution economy, rural
NEWS
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Kingston VCSE Manifesto 2026
Making the case to strategic partners on the benefits of partnership working with the VCFSE sector is really important. Kingston Voluntary Action and leaders of local VCFSE organisations published a concise manifesto for the local elections in May 2026. Read more about this.
June 15, 2026
manifesto, voluntary, community, partnership working, rural
NEWS
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Navigating changes in local councils post-May 2026 elections
Following the May 2026 local elections, the political landscape for councils in England has changed significantly. The political party system has continued to fragment and there has been a substantial turnover in councillors, with thousands elected for the first time. The largest changes are the increase in the total number of councils now with no overall control, and the election of 1451 councillors for Reform UK, who took control of 14 new councils. These changing circumstances have implications for how local infrastructure organisations [LIOs] work with councils.
May 26, 2026
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Enabling Conversations: Joint Working
Local government reorganisation will have significant implications for many VCFSE organisations working over a local council footprint. NAVCA and ACRE have worked together to support VCFSE organisations of all types, and their members to think about partnership, collaboration and merger. We share some key learning and signpost to professional resources to support these changes.
May 22, 2026
rural, local infrastructure, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution, VCS, VCSE, VCFSE, organisation, change
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
The VCFSE sector and local economic growth
The VCFSE sector contributes greatly to a local economy - how can this value be recognised as a key part of a growth plan? NAVCA member VONNE have been thinking about this for the Tees Valley Combined Authority Local Growth Plan.
April 24, 2026
local authorities, combined authorities, devolution, rural, VCS, VCSE
NEWS
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
VCFSE organisations can you help?
Are you from a VCFSE organisation operating in an area affected by either local government reorganisation and/or devolution? Please help us to support you better - it takes 2 minutes!
April 7, 2026
rural, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE sector
NEWS
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Neighbourhood working: Top Ten Insights for VCFSE organisations
10 Top Tips for VCFSE organisations on neighbourhood working within local government reorganisation.
April 7, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution, neighbourhoods
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Neighbourhood Working: introduction for VCFSE organisations
Neighbourhood working in local government reorganisation - has the potential to be locally responsive and connected to communities. Read about pilot neighbourhood areas in Surrey, how the VCFSE sector was involved and what can be applied to other areas.
April 7, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution, neighbourhoods
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
LGR Announcement Update 25 March 2026
MHCLG has announced how Essex with Southend and Thurrock, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk with be reorganised, with further information on proposals for East and West Sussex and Brighton. This briefing summarises the decisions, explores the implications for other areas awaiting decisions on reorganisation and what you should do now.
March 31, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Risk Barometer
A risk register to monitor the impact of the changes in health systems, local government, devolution and work with partner organisations. Prepared by an ACRE and NAVCA member this spreadsheet can be adapted and edited to reflect your own situation and simplify reporting to Trustee Boards on issues arising.
March 31, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution, ICB, ICS, heath, neighbourhood
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
What is local government reorganisation, and why is it important?
The reorganisation of local councils is taking place in the 21 areas of England that still have district and county councils. A single tier of local government will be created [called unitary authorities], and this will mean big changes for councils and for who the VCFSE sector works with and where. Read on to explore the stages of local government reorganisation (LGR) and at least four reasons why this is important.
March 16, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
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 10, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Neighbourhood Governance: current experience
New neighbourhood governance structures will be a core part of devolution. There are different models and approaches to existing neighbourhood governance in England. This resource looks at membership, approaches to operation and decision making, and how communities and the VCFSE can participate effectively.
March 10, 2026
neighbourhoods, neighbourhood governance, rural, local government reorganisation, devolution, parish council, town council
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Local Authorities
VCFSE sector devolution manifesto - Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Partnership
NAVCA and ACRE members in Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Warrington have formed a partnership, Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Partnership (CWIP), which codeveloped a manifesto for the VCFSE sector. This shows how the VCFSE informs and influences devolution across 10 core themes.
March 10, 2026
rural, VCSE, VCS, neighbourhoods, devolution
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Strategic Authorities
Consultation: LGR in 14 two-tier areas
Consultations have now been launched on local government reorganisation (LGR) proposals for 14 two-tier council areas. The government is consulting on all the proposals for LGR in each area - closing date 26 March 2026. The consultation invites views on the geographical areas, size, financial issues, delivery of public services and neighbourhood empowerment. Read on to learn how to respond to the consultation.
March 10, 2026
LGR, rural
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
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.
March 8, 2026
rural, local government reorganisation, LGR,VCS, VCSE, VCFSE
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Local Authorities
LGA good practice guide for local authorities: working with the VCFSE sector
An LGA good practice guide for local authorities on how to working with Local Infrastructure Organisations to engage smaller VCFSE organisations - and how it will help your work
March 6, 2026
LGR, devolution, VCS, VCSE, local infrastructure, LIOs, CVS, rural
NEWS
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
Local Government Outcomes Framework
All local authorities now have to deliver against 16 priority outcomes. Here is a summary of the outcomes.
March 6, 2026
rural
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Spatial development strategies and devolution
The government is launching a new wave of devolution and a consultation on spatial development strategies for areas that are not currently covered by devolved authorities. Read more about the consultation and the options councils have to suggest geographies for new strategic authorities.
March 6, 2026
devolution , rural
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Revised DPP & LGR Timeline
Timeline for process of local government reorganisation and creation of six new devolved strategic authorities to April 2028
March 5, 2026
devolution, DPP
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
What does the Voluntary Sector do?
What is the VC(F)SE sector, what does it mean, what does it look like and what does it do. This introductory explainer unpacks the voluntary, community, faith and social enterpirse sector and will help you understand what it looks like in your local area.
March 4, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
Podcast: Navigating a section 114 notice
Listen to a podcast that explore what happens when local government is in financial difficulty and the implications for the VCFSE sector.
March 2, 2026
local authorities, rural, section 114, s114, local infrastructure, LIOs, finance, financial difficulty, difficulties, council
NEWS
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Stages for a local authority in financial difficulty
There is a six stage process that takes place as a council starts to get into financial difficulty. There are changes in partnership working and funding of the VCFSE sector. This infographic will help you identify the different stages. Refer to Navigating a section 114 notice: guidance for small and local VCSE organisations, on what to do next.
March 2, 2026
local authorities, rural, section 114, s114, local infrastructure, LIOs, finance, financial difficulty, difficulties, council
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Navigating a section 114 notice: guidance for small and local VCSE organisations
What happens when a local authority gets into financial difficulty and how should the VCFSE sector respond? This report first published in October 2024, sets out all the stages and the potential effects on the VCFSE sector. It recommends that VCFSE organisations ensure they can demonstrate the impact of any proposed cuts on people and communities, be able to evidence their role and contribution to the area, and build relationships with the council.
March 2, 2026
local authorities, rural, section 114, s114, local infrastructure, LIOs, finance, financial difficulty, difficulties
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
Local Authorities
Has your local council received exceptional financial support for 2026-27?
38 local authorities have received Exceptional Financial Support from central government for the 2026-27. Is your local council one of them?
March 2, 2026
local authorities, rural, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE
NEWS
VCFSE
NAVCA and ACRE members
