In a new report, For Good Measure, NACVA has said regulation and monitoring processes for local voluntary and community organisations could be simplified while maintaining effective accountability.

NACVA warned that the information required by public bodies should be proportionate to the size of organisations and their contracts.

“While local public bodies have been loud in calling for lighter touch regulation of their own affairs, too often they have been remiss in applying the same principles when it comes to local voluntary and community sector groups,” said Neil Cleeveley, director of information and policy. “We support the plea for more proportionate regulation of local authorities and NHS trusts. But surely what is good for them must apply equally to the small VCS groups they fund.”

NACVA is urging funders and government to endorse its proposals, and has written to ministers, MPs, government departments and strategic health authorities asking them to accept the recommendations.