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

The funding faultlines that could divide streets

By Gabriel Stewart | 16 June 2026

Analysis reveals stark funding disparities between neighbouring councils under the Government’s fair funding reforms, highlighting challenges for service del...

THIRD SECTOR

The role of internal audit for councils under pressure

By Diana Melville | 16 June 2026

Diana Melville says financial pressure exposes weaknesses in governance, control and capacity, and internal audit must adapt assurance approaches, strengthen...

THIRD SECTOR

Government intervenes amid local plan concerns

By Joe Lepper | 12 June 2026

The Government has intervened in Torbay Council’s emerging local plan amid concerns it falls short of meeting its housing need by more than 10,000 homes.

THIRD SECTOR

EXCLUSIVE: LGA moves closer to strategic authority offer

By Paul Marinko | 11 June 2026

The Local Government Association (LGA) is getting closer to making a membership offer to strategic authorities as Bury MBC’s leader prepares to take over as ...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman