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NCVO argues for greater engagement at local level

Finance | Ian Allsop | 29 Jul 2008

The potential to redevelop the relationship between local government and civil society is greater now than it ever has been, delegates at a debate on representative and participative democracy have been told.

Speaking at the launch of Votes and Voices, a joint NCVO and Local Government Association (LGA) publication, NCVO chief executive Stuart Etherington (pictured) said that the health of civil society and local democracy are bound together.

“People are increasingly drawn to participative democracy. But ultimately only representative democracy can develop public policy across different areas of need.

“There is no one single representative of civil society but many. This means that those elected to make decisions have a duty to engage with civil society.”

Sukhvinder Stubbs, chief executive of the Barrow Cadbury Trust, added: “For every voice that colludes with government, we need a voice that is critical.

“A healthy democracy needs a bold cadre of people challenging the status quo.”

“Loosening of central government control”

Paul Coen, chief executive of the LGA, said: “The recent loosening of central government control has radically changed the way central government, local government and the voluntary sector work together.

“Local councillors have an essential role, providing representation, information and advocacy for the people they serve.

“Voluntary and community organisations can and do strengthen this role through their knowledge about local issues and links with local people.

“It is through representative democracy that elected councillors make tough decisions based on the competing interests of residents.

“Greater participation brings more diversity and encourages a fuller debate about issues that affect all our lives.”

Strengthening the way the sectors work together

Votes and Voices aims to bring together a wide range of views and perspectives on local democracy from across local government, the voluntary sector and academia, to strengthen the way the sectors work together.

The main themes assert that both representative and participative processes are essential to a healthy democracy; local authorities and voluntary and community sector organisations have different but complementary roles to play in this; and that local government and voluntary sector organisations need to be at the forefront of discussions about how local democracy works in practice and how democratic activity might be improved in the future.

The publication follows the release of Communities in Control, the government’s empowerment white paper.

Innovation Fund

Meanwhile, fresh ideas for encouraging people to become involved in democracy will be rewarded with grants under a £150,000 government scheme.

The Innovation Fund, launched by the Ministry of Justice, will support projects developing new ways to help people participate in public discussions and influence government policy.

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Directory: National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
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