Caroline Schwaller was elected chair of Navca at the membership body's AGM yesterday where members also voted to proceed with proposals to merge Navca with Community Matters.

Schwaller, who is CEO at Keighley & Ilkley Voluntary and Community Action and has previously been vice chair at Navca, takes over from Mike Martin MBE who stands down after serving the maximum term of six years at the helm.

Schwaller steps in during the organisation's merger with Community Matters which, after yesterday's vote, has been approved by both organisations' members. Navca members voted 40 to one for the merger to go ahead, while 88 per cent of Community Matters members who voted on 6 September said aye.

Joe Irvin, Navca chief executive, said: “It is really important to have this endorsement from members of the potential merger with Community Matters. Along with Navca trustees, I believe a merger will create a stronger single organisation, providing better support for our members and all organisations involved in local voluntary and community action. This vote shows that members share this view.”

The proposed merger was announced in July with a steering group formed of board members and staff from both organisations. David Tyler, Community Matters' CEO said now the Navca vote has been cast "we can now crack on with the detailed work required to bring a more formal resolutionto our membership early next year".

Speaking with civilsociety.co.uk in September, the respective chief executives said the merged bodies would form a "new strong organisation" and would have a fresh leadership.

Navca provides support to members (predominantly Councils for Voluntary Action in England) that work with over 160,000 local charities and community groups, while Community Matters has over 1,230 members across Britain.