Title

THIRD SECTOR

Pandemic made councils 'more responsive' to charities, survey finds

The pandemic has helped improve the relationships and collaboration between local authorities and charities, according to new research.

The pandemic has helped improve the relationships and collaboration between local authorities and charities, according to new research.

More than half of charities surveyed said local authorities had become ‘more responsive' to their needs during coronavirus.

A quarter said their relationship with local authorities had improved during the pandemic, with 36% saying they had increased their engagement with local authorities in the past year.

However, the research also found smaller organisations were more likely to report a deterioration in their relationship with the local government sector.

Head of networks and influencing at National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Alex Farrow, said: ‘While more than half of the organisations we surveyed saw an improvement in their relationship with local government, with the pandemic making local authorities more responsive it's clear that this is not universal and that lots of smaller charities have not seen an improvement.

‘We're concerned about the level of funding local authorities will have to sustain engagement and rebuild communities in the months and years ahead.'

THIRD SECTOR

NCASC: Councils must be 'equal partner' in neighbourhood working, leader says

By Lee Peart | 26 November 2025

Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, chair of the Local Government Association (LGA) Health and Wellbeing Committee, has said councils must be ‘an equal partner’ in neighbo...

THIRD SECTOR

After the Covid Inquiry: It's time for serious devolution

By Vijay K Luthra | 26 November 2025

Devolution is a resilience issue after the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, say Patrick Diamond and Vijay K Luthra.

THIRD SECTOR

Policing reform shouldn't be piecemeal

By Sir Bob Neill | 26 November 2025

The abolition of police and crime commissioners is a start, but no substitute for the scale of reform required, writes Sir Bob Neill.

THIRD SECTOR

The Casey Commission: True stories that shift policy

By Jess McGregor | 26 November 2025

As the National Children and Adults Services Conference gets under way in Bournemouth today, Jess McGregor praises Baroness Casey for bringing clarity of pur...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman