This report from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations calls on the vital relationship between voluntary and community organisations and local government to be strengthened. It recognises many of the recommendations in the LGA’s recent vision, ‘Closer to People and Places’, and highlights significant opportunities for local government and the voluntary and community sector to work together at both a local and national level.The report outlines key areas where voluntary and community organisations and local government must work together better. Partnership is essential and voluntary and community organisations should be involved in Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements. All local public bodies and all local partners, including voluntary and community organisations and local businesses, should be brought together to strategically plan for the future and be involved in developing sustainable community strategies.

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NGOs EXPERIMENT WITH TECHNOLOGY TO INFLUENCE POLICY MAKERS

Non-governmental organisations, campaign groups and charities are experimenting with new ways of using information and communication technology to engage individuals and stakeholder groups to lobby for social and political change. They are making use of blogs, webcasting and online discussion groups, according to a new report from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and the ICT Hub in partnership with the Hansard Society and supported by the Vodafone UK Foundation.

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COUNCILS NEED FULL POWERS OVER STREETWORKS, SAYS DRIVERS GROUP

Urgent and decisive action is needed to stop chaos caused by uncoordinated and over-running road works according to a leading motoring organisation.

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