Projects
Local government and the voluntary sector
Local authorities and voluntary organisations are both interested in helping their local population to have a decent and fulfilling life. They are natural allies. Often they form effective partnerships, working together to achieve shared objectives. But sometimes their relationship is distant rather than close, and adversarial rather than complementary.
This case study analyses the situation in a particular local authority where, by mutual agreement, the Council and the voluntary sector were not working effectively together. It analyses the causes of the problems and makes recommendations for improving matters. On funding, it builds a framework based on defined objectives, consistency and transparency. On partnership, it suggests the establishment of a Voluntary Sector Strategy Group involving representatives of both the Council and the Voluntary Sector as a vehicle for discussion and liaison.
Consequent on the report, we undertook a major study for the Council to flesh out the recommendations and to develop a detailed plan for moving forward.