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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
Collaboration in complex environments: Five LIOs working in partnership in West Yorkshire
Five local infrastructure organisations in West Yorkshire came together with a shared goal: to strengthen and sustain the VCSE sector across the region. Built on trust, strong relationships and a culture of openness, the partnership has enabled the organisations to collaborate effectively, reduce duplication and speak with a stronger collective voice as local systems and structures evolve.
May 22, 2026
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
A journey from shared office services to collaboration and merger
The newly formed Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Partnership is the culmination of several years of working together by two local infrastructure organisations. There was a long history of joint projects and contracts that moved first to a federation with a single management team and CEO for both organisations, before moving to merger with the advent of a Mayoral Combined Authority and directly elected mayor. Ben Rollet, CEO, and Batul Dungarwalla, Deputy CEO, talk about the process for these changes, the drivers behind decisions and the importance of including staff every step of the way. A 21 minute video that explores how the new organisation is working with the new local devolved structures.
April 21, 2026
NAVCA and ACRE members
Black Country Together CIO: a vehicle for collaboration
Vicki Hines, CEO of One Walsall, and Mark Davis, CEO of Sandwell CVO, discuss how four local infrastructure organisations agreed to work together. This partnership extends beyond the CEOs to the whole staff of each organisation. It operates over four local authority areas, facilitating cross-border collaboration and enabling larger scale grants and projects to be delivered effectively. Each of the four areas retains its distinctive local identity. A 24 minute video explores the value of a special purpose vehicle.
April 21, 2026
NAVCA and ACRE members
Merger and collaboration for local infrastructure organisations
Garry Jones, CEO of NAVCA member Support Staffordshire, explores the process that led to the creation of a county based local infrastructure organisation, which is also the ACRE member. Garry talks about building trust and relationships, managing uncertainty and supporting staff teams through transitions. He reflects on the importance of working well with trustees and what happens if you don't, and of getting the basics right in quality delivery and service. A 23 minute video.
April 21, 2026
NAVCA and ACRE members
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: 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
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
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 9, 2026
rural, local authorities, local infrastructure, VCFSE, VCS, VCSE, LGR, local government reorganisation, devolution
NAVCA and ACRE members
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
