A survey by the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action has found that relationships with local authorities have improved for 37 per cent of its member organsiations.

The results of Navca’s chief executive survey has found relationships have mainly improved, with only 13 per cent of members saying that relationships with local authorities have got worse, compared with 25 per cent the year before.

Results also show that 37 per cent of Navca members said that their relationship with local authorities had got better over the last 12 months, compared to 16 per cent the previous year.

The report, based on responses from 107 of Navca member organisations, also showed that 98 per cent of respondents are funded by their local authority. Navca said that this shows that “despite all the pressure on local government finance, local authorities still recognise the value in supporting infrastructure provision”.

Neil Cleeveley, acting chief executive of Navca, said: “This survey shows that local councils recognise the contribution Navca members make to local communities and they continue to value and fund their work.

"The best councils and local health bodies understand they need to properly resource local infrastructure in order to work with local charities and community groups. We would like to see more joint investment between local public bodies to achieve better value.”

The survey suggests that Navca members are strong influencers; 73 per cent of respondents said they feel they are able to influence decisions made by local unitary, county and district councils.

Cleeveley also said that local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) are not doing enough to engage the voluntary sector. Only a quarter of respondents to the survey said they believe they are able to influence LEPs.

Almost two-thirds of respondents said they have seen demand for their services increase over the last 12 months, while a third have seen no change.