NAVCA logo - a red circle symbol with smaller circles forming a bigger circle. NAVCA in round font, lowercase, with the tagline 'local focus national voice'

Local government is changing –
and we’re here to help you navigate it

NAVCA and ACRE are working in partnership to enable the VCFSE sector, local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) and rural community support charities, and forming unitary and strategic authorities to work together effectively through devolution and local government reorganisation.

Back to NAVCA site

Latest News and Resources

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
Resource
Resource
Download
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
Resource
Resource
Download
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
Resource
Resource
Download
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
Resource
Resource
Download

Learn more about...

Working with the voluntary and community sector during local government reorganisation

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.
Download

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.
Download

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 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.
Download

Home

About

All Resources

VCFSE

Local Authorities

Strategic Authorities

NAVCA and ACRE members

Contact

For more information about the project, email comms@navca.org.uk