Navca’s latest quarterly survey with its members has seen the highest percentage of respondents, since the surveys began in 2012, saying that their relationship with their local authority has got worse over the last 12 months.

Forty per cent of respondents to Navca’s survey said their relationship with their local authority had worsened over the past year, and the same amount also said they felt their local council would have a negative influence on their success over the next 12 months. The survey uses a representative sample panel of Navca members to track trends in local voluntary action. The latest survey took place in April. Surveys have been run every three months since July 2012.

Navca members are broadly pessimistic about the coming months; just 24 per cent think their financial situation will improve, over 50 per cent say the financial situation for local groups will get worse and more Navca members are reducing staff than increasing. The survey does though show that 28 per cent of Navca members are looking to increase the range of their services and just 20 per cent cutting services.

Joe Irvin, chief executive of Navca, said:

“It concerns me that relationships with local councils appear to be getting worse in some areas. I suspect cuts to services are a factor, which is why now is precisely the time when councils should be working with our members to help their communities. I know that the best councils realise the value of their local voluntary sector and the vital role Navca members can play.”