As former vice-chair of the National Association of Voluntary Community Action, I hear too may reports about local authorities failing to connect and collaborate with the voluntary and community sector (VCS). Councils often tell me the VCS does not understand or won't do what the authority wants.

It is not for either to tell the other what to do. We need better mutual respect, collaboration and shared action or we will fail communities. Local government leaders recognise the sector has neither the wisdom nor the full range of tools needed to address the multiplicity of challenges it and its communities face. Nor does it have all the financial levers and it certainly does not have the money.