Last week saw the announcement by the DCLG of the shortlisted areas for the Whole Place and Neighbourhood-Level community budget pilots, intended to bring greater co-ordination and local control to local service provision.

It is encouraging that progress is being made in this area. The Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) has strongly supported the aims behind the community budgets initiative, of empowering local people and encouraging closer working and co-design of service provision between local authorities and local delivery partners.