Thriving third sector seen as high priority across England

A thriving third sector has been recognised as a high priority for nearly two thirds of top tier local authorities in England. In drawing up a shortlist of 35 'National Indicators' on which they will be measured (out of the set of 198), 62 per cent chose to include one or both of the two third sector indicators: NI6 - participation in regular volunteering; or NI7 - creating an environment for a thriving third sector. Society Guardian has a short item at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/02/voluntarysector.localgovernment, or see the Office of Third Sector news item. The latter quotes the chief executive of Acevo (the chief execs body) saying "The take up of these indicators is far better than I expected."

You can find out what local priorities in your area have been negotiated with government at the Local Priorities site, http://www.localpriorities.communities.gov.uk/. See Podnosh blog for a few comments on how helpful this is, or could be.