08/09/2025
Voluntary and community sector leaders across Essex have said the forthcoming reorganisation of local government is a rare opportunity to unlock the full potential of communities if the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector is included as a strategic partner from the outset.
Sixteen infrastructure organisations, coordinated by Essex Community Foundation (ECF), have come together to issue a renewed call for partnership with local and national government. Their joint statement outlines how the VCFSE sector can play a central role in delivering better outcomes, reducing long-term demand, and strengthening democratic participation.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a system that truly works for communities,” said Andy Payne Worpole, Director of Policy and Programmes at ECF. “By embedding the VCFSE sector in the foundations of reorganisation, we can create a future where services are shaped by real insight, investment reaches the frontline, and local people have a genuine voice in decisions that affect their lives.”
The statement proposes five practical principles to guide reorganisation. These include:
It builds on national policy commitments, including the Civil Society Covenant and NHS 10-Year Plan and reflects the strengths of Essex’s diverse civil society ecosystem, which contributes nearly £1 billion in annual value.
The infrastructure leaders are clear, “The sector already brings local knowledge, trusted relationships, and frontline delivery. With the right partnership, we can help deliver a fairer, more resilient Essex.”
The group is inviting system leaders to co-design the way forward and ensure the reorganisation becomes a turning point for empowering local places, not just restructuring institutions.
Read the full statement at www.essexcf.org.uk/devolution-statement
