A new NCVO report challenges government to ensure all future devolution agreements include standards of engagement and plans for voluntary sector involvement.
Local needs, local voices: building devolution from the ground up states that there is no current criteria for these agreements and no guarantees that the voluntary and community sector will be consulted or involved in any way. In fact, very few charities report that they have been involved in devolution discussions. It recommends that central government develop guidance on the criteria used to assess all future devolution proposals to ensure that the voluntary sector, along with the public and other stakeholders, have been consultated prior to the proposal submission and that there are plans for future engagement. 
The report also recommends that local government should ensure voluntary sector representation on any bodies related to devolution, that support should be given to voluntary organisations to help them engage, and to follow the principle that devolution should enable power to be held at the 'most local level possible'.
Karl Wilding, director of public policy at NCVO says; "There are great opportunities in devolution for charities to play a bigger role and help ensure that authorities get and use the powers they need to best serve all their communities. We’d like to see local authorities involving the voluntary sector from the very start of the devolution process in order to ensure the voices of all communities are heard and to make the most of these opportunities."