Local Authorities 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
Download
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
Read post
Neighbourhood Working: a resource for the local government sector
Neighbourhood working gives the opportunity to develop closer working relationships with communities and benefit from their knowledge and experiece. This resource helps local authorities to work in partnership with the VCFSE sector for the good of neighbourhoods.
April 7, 2026

rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution, neighbourhoods

NAVCA and ACRE members
Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
Download
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
Download
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

rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution, health systems, neighbourhood health, ICB, ICS

Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
Download
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
Download
Working with the voluntary sector during LGR
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.
March 8, 2026

rural, VCSE, VCS, neighbourhoods, local government reorganisation, LGR, devolution, strategic authorities, LGA

Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
Download
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
Read post
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
Download
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 2, 2026

rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution, health, wellbeing, health systems, ICS, ICB

NEWS
Strategic Authorities
Local Authorities
Read post
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
Download
Navigating a section 114 notice: policy and recommendations for local authorities on working with VCFSE sector
A report for local authority officers and elected members to help you understand the implications of financial difficulties and the issuing of a section 114 notice on the VCFSE sector. Recommendations are included as to how councils can work with VCFSE organisations to ensure services are maintained for people and communities.
March 2, 2026

local authorities, rural, section 114, s114, local infrastructure, LIOs, finance, financial difficulty, difficulties

NAVCA and ACRE members
Local Authorities
Download

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