Created by Voluntary Action Leicestershire and sponsored by MVPS, this vibrant elephant is a true celebration of creativity and inclusivity. Our clients at VALUES wanted something loud, fun, and colourful, and they’ve certainly achieved it!

Each puzzle piece on Ellie represents an individual client, showcasing their unique talents and reflecting the fact that many of our clients have disabilities, including autism. Look closely and you’ll also see a mighty oak tree on one of the elephant’s legs, representing our dedicated support staff and their invaluable hands-on work.

Come and see this incredible piece of art and learn more about the amazing work of VALUES!

You can find more details about our elephant here: VALUES-Ellie-Nelly-Nessa-Fant!

Fins out more about our VALUES project here: https://valonline.org.uk/values/

This is the final stage of consultation on the Local Plan. This consultation concerns whether the Main Modifications to the Local Plan meet the tests of ‘Soundness’ and Legal Compliance.

For more information on these tests, please see the Guidance Note on our Consultation Hub here.

District and Borough Councils are also seeking views on the North, City, South proposal and this runs out on the 20th July 2025. There is a dedicated website www.northcitysouth.co.uk to help gather the views and share information.

We have a dedicated page to provide you with information on Devolution and the Local Government Reorganisation Fact Sheet: Devolution & Local Government Reorganisation – Voluntary Action LeicesterShire and we will continue to update this over the coming months.

If you require further information please contact our helpline on 0116 257 5050 or helpline@valonline.org.uk

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The Code Institute is working with the Leicester and Leicestershire Growth Hub to help local businesses to:

✔ Understand your current AI maturity

✔ Identify capability gaps

✔ Get strategic recommendations to inform your next steps

This initiative was designed for businesses of any size, at any stage, whether you’re just starting to explore AI or ready to take the next step. If you’re unsure how AI fits into your business, this is a simple, supported way to find out.

Join us for a live session on AI readiness if you want to understand how AI could support your business. Find out more and start your free check now: https://codeinstitute.net/ai-maturity-assessment-uk/

Pre-loved tech will help to bridge digital divide under new government charter  – GOV.UK

Plastic pollution treaty: business roundtable statement – GOV.UK

£13.6 million to help families and charities reap benefits of surplus farm produce – GOV.UK

What is Devolution?
Devolution transfers certain powers from central government (Westminster) to local governments, allowing decisions on health, education, and transportation to be made regionally. Westminster retains control over areas like defence and foreign policy.

What is a Unitary Authority?
A unitary authority is a single council handling all local government responsibilities within its area. This replaces the division of tasks between county and district councils.

Key Updates from the English Devolution White Paper 
Ambition: Largest transfer of power from Westminster to England’s regions this century.
Unitary Councils: Promoted for better outcomes, cost savings, and streamlined accountability.
Reorganisation: Proposals invited for two-tier areas or unitary councils with challenges in size, boundaries, or service delivery.

Impact on Local Government in Leicestershire and Leicester 

• Leicester City Council: Plans to expand city boundaries to meet the target population of 500,000+, including parts of Charnwood, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, and Blaby.
• Leicestershire County Council: Proposal for a single county-wide council (excluding Leicester City and Rutland), replacing district/borough councils. More info: One Council Proposal.
• District & Borough Councils: Vision for two unitary councils:
  • North Leicestershire and Rutland: Covering Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton, and Rutland.
  • South Leicestershire: Covering Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth, and Oadby & Wigston.

For the VCSE VAL is collaborating with local councils and stakeholders to understand the impact on the VCSE sector.

• What are Local Area Committees? Leicestershire County Council has proposed the potential establishment of Local Area Committees as part of the reorganisation. These committees would provide representatives from the VCSE sector and other stakeholders with a platform to engage in local decision-making and address issues specific to their communities.
• VCSE representatives are encouraged to join consultations to ensure community needs are addressed.

We have put together a full policy briefing on the paper for members.

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The Minister of State for Local Government has formally invited Local Government to develop a proposal to move to a Unitary Authority.
This means that there will be a change in local councils covering Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and will remove the need for local District and Borough Councils. Local Government have been asked to submit a proposal for the new Unitary Authorities with the following being submitted for the City and County. These proposals were submitted to Central Government on Friday 21 March 2025.

English Devolution White Paper – GOV.UK 

Leicester City Council  
The proposal from Leicester City Council’s interim submission outlines plans to expand the City boundaries to meet the government threshold of a target population of 500,000 or more residents.   The submission includes some parts of Charnwood, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston and Blaby Councils.
For more information regarding Leicester City Councils proposal please visit
Local government reorganisation and devolution

Leicestershire County Council  
Leicestershire County Council are seeking to create one council for the whole of Leicestershire (excluding Leicester City and Rutland).  This will mean local District and Borough Councils will no longer deliver local services.
For more information regarding Leicestershire County Council’s proposal please visit
One Council for Leicestershire | Leicestershire County Council

District and Borough Councils  
The seven district and borough councils of Leicestershire and Rutland County Council have created a shared vision to split the County and Rutland into two councils for the North and South of Leicestershire.

• The areas currently served by Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council, would be served by one unitary authority (North Leicestershire and Rutland)
• The areas currently served by Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth and Oadby and Wigston district and borough councils would be served by another unitary authority (South Leicestershire)
• Leicester City would continue to be a unitary authority based on its existing boundaries.

The councils are now seeking views on the North, City, South plan and have launched an engagement exercise. It runs until 20 July 2025 and they are encouraging stakeholders and partners in the voluntary and community sector to have a say.

For more information regarding the District council’s proposal please visit: www.northcitysouth.co.uk 

Benefits  
Bringing together 8 councils it is anticipated that there will be multi £million savings every year due to a reduction in the salary bills of managers, chief executives and counsellors.  The savings made can then be invested in front line services across the areas.

This proposal also includes reduced opening hours, staff, and spending on resources. Your feedback is crucial. We’ve already incorporated input from thousands of residents last year, and now we’re inviting you to share your views on these new proposals.

Please review the full details below and tell us what you think.

https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/communications/library-community-centre-proposals-2025/

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) is currently leading a public engagement about how people use local health services.

To support this, the Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation is offering funding to local VCSE organisations to raise awareness of NHS 111, Pharmacy First, Urgent Treatment Centres and GP services — helping people better understand when and how to access the right care. Additionally, gathering views from people about health services including non-urgent GP appointments across Leicester and Leicestershire.

This short-term funding is aimed at groups working in LE1–LE5 postcodes and surrounding areas, especially those who can reach:

• New and young families
• People experiencing homelessness
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Eastern European and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities
• Communities facing barriers to healthcare access

Eligible activities include outreach events, translation of health information, self-care workshops, discussion groups and promoting participation in the current NHS engagement.

More information is available here LLR ICB Public Engagement programme outline.pdf 
Apply between Tuesday 27th May and midnight on Sunday 15th June.

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🔗 Click here to find out more and apply  
For questions or support, contact the LRCF grants team:

📧 grants@llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk  

Please contact VAL if you would like us to Read & Review your bid before you send it on email – helpline@valonline.org.uk

This move aims to streamline NHS governance, reduce bureaucracy, and cut administrative costs, with an expected 50% reduction in staff across NHS England and DHSC. 

In this health update from NAVCA, we explore the main announcements and policy changes, as well as the risks, opportunities, and implications for the voluntary sector.

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Main announcements and policy changes

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Abolition of NHS England

• NHS England will be absorbed into DHSC over two years.
• The goal is to eliminate duplication between NHS England and DHSC.
• ICBs and local NHS leaders will have more autonomy, but the extent of this decentralisation remains unclear.
• Financial savings from reduced bureaucracy will be redirected to frontline services, though concerns remain about the potential impact on service delivery.

Financial pressures and cost-cutting

• The NHS inherited a £6.6bn financial gap and must make significant savings.
• Julian Kelly, NHS England’s Chief Financial Officer, stated that ICBs and NHS England must cut their workforce by 50%, equating to over 12,500 job losses and a saving approximately £400 million annually.
• In the House of Commons debate on 13th March, Wes Streeting confirmed there would be 50% staff cuts across DHSC and NHSE.
• The government insists that cuts will focus on administration, not frontline services, but concerns persist about reduced capacity to engage with the VCSE sector.

Decentralisation and ICS role

• The government aims to devolve more power to local NHS leaders and frontline staff, ending “micromanagement” from the centre.
• ICBs and ICSs will play a more autonomous role, but concerns were raised about whether these changes will genuinely empower local systems or create more central control under DHSC.
• There is a commitment to shifting NHS resources from hospitals to community care and prevention.

Workforce and NHS leadership changes

• A new transformation team, led by Sir Jim Mackey, will oversee reforms.
• NHS England’s current leadership, including CEO Amanda Pritchard, will be stepping down at the end of March.
• A focus on stronger clinical leadership was emphasised, with new medical directors for primary and secondary care.

Concerns raised by MPs

• Job losses: Uncertainty about how many NHS England staff will be absorbed into DHSC or made redundant.
• Implementation risks: Warnings that this top-down reform could distract from immediate service delivery needs.
• Funding for ICSs and ICBs: Fears that financial pressures will lead to cuts in local services, particularly in primary care and social care.

 

Impact on the VCSE sector and ICS-VCSE Alliances: Risks, opportunities, and implications

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The restructuring of NHS England and ICB workforce reductions present both risks and opportunities for the VCSE sector. While the government has highlighted the importance of prevention and community care, there was no direct mention of the VCSE sector’s role, raising concerns about how these changes might affect engagement, funding, and partnerships. 

Key risks:

• Reduced engagement with VCSE organisations: With ICBs cutting 50% of their workforce, their capacity to collaborate with the VCSE sector and Alliances may decline, making it harder for community organisations to influence local decision-making.
• Funding pressures and service cuts: ICBs are under significant financial strain, and cost-cutting measures could reduce investment in VCSE-led services, despite the sector’s vital role in addressing the wider determinants of health (SDOH) and improving healthy life expectancy. This presents a critical challenge for the entire VCSE sector, requiring a collective effort to ensure our contributions are recognised and resourced.
• Shifting priorities and potential marginalisation: The restructuring may result in statutory services dominating decision-making, undermining VCSE engagement within ICSs unless strong advocacy efforts are made.

Opportunities for the VCSE sector:

• Deeper partnerships with local decision-makers: If decentralisation empowers local ICBs, this could create opportunities for the VCSE sector to play a greater role in designing and delivering health and care solutions. NAVCA and ICS-VCSE Alliances should actively engage with ICBs to ensure community-led approaches are embedded.
• Alignment with NHS priorities: The government’s focus on prevention and community care closely aligns with VCSE expertise. This presents an opportunity for new partnerships and funding, but only if the sector remains actively engaged in shaping these transitions.
• Strengthened VCSE leadership: With the NHS shifting resources away from hospitals, VCSE-led services could play a more prominent role in community-based health and social care—if partnerships and funding frameworks support this shift.

Implications for NAVCA members and ICS-VCSE Alliances

While ICBs and the VCSE sector both face limited room for maneuvre, proactive engagement remains essential. LIOs and ICS-VCSE Alliances should play a key role in ensuring that VCSE representation and community perspectives are embedded in decision-making, and that the shift towards prevention and community-based care is properly resourced.

Next steps for action:

• Continue efforts to ensure that the VCSE sector remains a core partner in health and care decision-making, despite the challenges posed by top-down system changes.
• Strengthen partnerships with ICB colleagues to maintain collaborative working relationships and amplify the sector’s role in system transformation.
• Continue to make the case for the co-benefits of investing in the VCSE, emphasising its contribution to improved health outcomes and more sustainable care models.

If you have any questions, feedback or concerns, please email us on helpline@valonline.org.uk

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