By Sarabajaya Kumar and Kevin Nunan. Research by the authors revealed that assumptions about the growth and development of the one million or so community and voluntary groups in the UK are flawed. Because the reality is different there are implications for all concerned. They offer suggestions about what could be done to improve governance with particular emphasis on policy makers, regeneration agencies, funders, practitioners, training agencies and development agencies.

In a move to engage young people in the democratic process and at the same time, give them access to useful information, the Cabinet Office has launched youngGov in the UK online portal. It was developed in consultation with 700 young people and is aimed at 11-18 year olds.youngGov, introduces young people to the way government works while at the same time providing helpful information designed around the way they live now. 

On Monday morning councils will receive performance information from the Audit Commission which will tell them whether they should prepare to proclaim their success on Assessment Day, 12th December, or whether they should be ready to explain how they are going to improve. On Assessment Day the performance of the larger councils will be classified as excellent, good, fair, weak or poor.