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

We’ve created this page to support voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations to understand and respond to upcoming changes in local government. These reforms will shape how decisions are made, how services are commissioned, and how communities are represented — so it’s important that our sector is informed, prepared and able to influence what happens next.

From April 2027, areas with two-tier district and county councils will move to a single unitary authority through local government reorganisation (LGR). In addition, six large areas of England will introduce new Strategic Authorities (SAs) from April 2026, devolving some powers from central government. Together, these changes will have long-term implications for the VCFSE sector, which plays a vital role in strengthening communities and delivering services in partnership with local councils.

NAVCA and ACRE are working together to help the VCFSE sector build strong relationships with new unitary and strategic authorities, so that these changes deliver real benefits for local people and communities.

Working in partnership with local NAVCA and ACRE members, we want to:

  • support the VCFSE sector to navigate and engage with devolution and LGR
  • work with the Local Government Association, providing resources for forming unitary and strategic authorities on how and why to work with the VCFSE sector
  • support NAVCA and ACRE members to enable the VCFSE sector, partner with forming unitary and strategic authorities and best reflect local needs and changing boundaries in how they work.
  • The project is funded by MHCLG and Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales, and runs initially until 30 September 2026.

About the partners:

NAVCA logo - a red circle symbol with smaller circles forming a bigger circle. NAVCA in round font, lowercase, with the tagline 'local focus national voice'

NAVCA is the membership body for 188 local voluntary and community sector infrastructure support organisations (LIOs) in England. NAVCA provides support, resources and a national voice for members which, in turn, provide voice, support and development for VCFSE organisations and communities.

ACRE, Action with Communities in Rural England, is a national charity speaking up for and supporting rural communities. 37 county-based organisations work across England to help rural communities to help themselves.

Home

About

Resources

VCFSE

Local Authorities

Strategic Authorities

NAVCA and ACRE members

Contact

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

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