NAVCA step up Localism Bill campaign
<p>NAVCA’s Trustee Board has agreed that NAVCA will step up their campaign on the Localism Bill. NAVCA has been campaigning to make sure the community rights in the bill develop local capacity and build local relationships. NAVCA believes the bill must be a means of improving voluntary and community sector partnerships with local authorities.</p>
<p>The timing of this decision is important because the Localism Bill has been back in the House of Commons for its report stage. It will next go to the House of Lords. It is expected that the Localism Bill may not have an easy passage. Labour are preparing challenges and the Lib Dems are keen to exert their independence following the poor local election results.</p>
<p>NAVCA has already launched the Real Power for Communities website and given oral evidence to the bill committee. At the committee <strong>Neil Cleeveley, NAVCA’s Director of Policy and Communications</strong>, outlined NAVCA’s view that the councillors’ involvement is crucial, saying:”One of the opportunities for the Bill is the development of the relationship between local elected members and their communities. One of the problems of the past has been councillors tending to get stuck in the town hall. This presents a real opportunity to elicit some real change in that relationship.”</p>
<p>The Trustee Board decision commits NAVCA to increase their campaigning activity. NAVCA plans a series of Roadshows to engage NAVCA members. It will also be lobbying politicians including Lords and key local government figures.</p>
<p><strong>Mike Martin MBE, NAVCA’s Chair</strong>, said ”NAVCA has been a long time advocate of localism but this bill needs changes to achieve its potential. Firstly, the right to challenge must prioritise opportunities for local organisations to take on public services. If it results in more national organisations delivering local public services, localism will be diminished. We also want more time for charities to buy buildings. The proposed six months is not enough time for people to get together and find sufficient funding.</p>
<p>”We also know from experience that localism is best achieved through partnership, between charities and voluntary organisations and local authorities. Localism should not be promoted as an attack on local government. In recent years, NAVCA members have been central to the improving relationships we have seen between councils and the local voluntary and community sector. This has been achieved through working together and always putting local communities first.”</p>
