Voluntary sector and councils

Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, is proposing a 'social responsibility' deal which will ask that councils give greater support for local community groups, including:

• seeking to avoid disproportionate reductions in funding
• giving at least three months' notice if they plan to reduce or end funding or other support
• working with the organisation to shape the future of the service; and
• speaking to the organisation and community about other ideas about how the service could be continued in a different, or more efficient, way

Central government departments will be signing up to the same principles.  This follows a call in a tough talking speech to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations in March when Mr Pickles challenged town halls to resist any temptation to 'pull up the drawbridge' and pass on disproportionate reductions in funding to the voluntary and community sector.

The new best value guidance can be found here>>

The current guidance being withdrawn is Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities.