Press Release
NCVO and LGA pledge closer ties in order to transform local communities
19 October 2007
Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of The National Council for Voluntary Organisations, (NCVO) and Paul Coen, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, (LGA) have today signed a concordat which commits both organisations to joint working on key issues such as local devolution, accountability and funding, in order to create better local communities. The concordat was signed by the two leaders at NCVO's Local Government Conference, which considers joint solutions to the challenges facing local communities.
Stuart Etherington said:
'Recent developments, including proposals in the Local Government White Paper and the Local Government Bill have emphasised the importance of local people, local communities and local decision making: this cannot happen without good relationships between the voluntary and community sector and local government.
NCVO has worked on the issues relating to the relationship between the voluntary and community sector and local government for the past decade. This concordat signifies a formalising of that relationship.'
NCVO and the LGA have made a number of key commitments in the concordat, which permeate through all levels of both organisations, including:
· Regular meetings between the Chairs and Chief Executives of both
organisations
· Joint submissions, for example in response to Government consultations
· Sharing of documents and information
Paul Coen, Chief Executive of the LGA said:
'There is an increasing consensus that further improvements in our public services are best driven locally through strong local partnerships across the public and voluntary sectors. Many councils have developed excellent relationships with voluntary groups and this is delivering real benefits for local people. This concordat draws on the best examples of where these partnerships have excelled, and I hope it will serve as a model for others to use. '
NCVO's Local Government Conference was attended by leaders and decision makers from both sectors, including a keynote speech from Rt Hon Hazel Blears and seminars from Julia Unwin from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Pam Giddy from the Power Inquiry, on subjects such as 'place shaping' and the balance between representative and participatory democracy.
If you would like more information, or would like to attend the conference, please contact Siobhan Wakely in NCVO's Media Office on 020 7520 2569 or Siobhan.wakely@ncvo-vol.org.uk.
Latest Press Releases
- Independent evaluation of the ICT Hub silences critics, while NCVO commits to continuing its ‘sterling work’
- Smaller charities invited to apply for party conference bursary scheme
- Full Value must replace muddled concept of Added Value, says NCVO
- OVER 120 MPs DEMAND LOCAL TV ON FREEVIEW
- NCVO response to the Budget
- NCVO welcomes new Charity Commission guidance on campaigning
- Civil society groups to be forced out of rare communications opportunity
- Campaigners urge charities to use human rights to make greater impact
- Become a better leader - Centre gives top tips!
- Sector to have its say on ways of improving governance
Spread your message to an audience that counts, with options available for our website, email bulletins and publications including The House Magazine.
