Third Sector

Leicester City Council is a signatory to the Leicester Compact and is jointly responsible with Voluntary Action LeicesterShire for providing policy and administrative support to the Compact Steering Group who has day to day responsibility for overseeing the Compact.

For more details on the Compact and the work of the Compact Steering Group go to http://www.leicestercompact.org.uk

What is the shape of the third sector in Leicester? 

Based on the Government survey, the National Survey of the Third Sector Organisations in 2008: 

• 45% of organisations employ no staff while 3% employ over 31 members of staff

• 7% engage over 100 volunteers in the running of their group

• 48% have an income over £50k and 9% an income of over £500k

• 23% receive grant funding from the City Council and 58% get no grant funding from a statutory body

• 51% of groups are not dependant and will report early 2011.

The second survey, now called National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises, is currently being undertaken and will report back in early 2011.

Why is the third sector important?

The sector has a dual role as a current or potential provider of public services and a much wider role in supporting our local communities and civil society, so therefore a major asset to any city that should be cultivated and supported.

For a more detailed overview of the sector and the challenges it faces, see the presentation that was given to the Stronger Communities Partnership on the 13th October 2010 "The Local Authority and the Voluntary and Community Sector".

Contact

Roy Roberts

Leicester Partnership Team

Tel: 0116 252 6778

roy.roberts@leicester.gov.uk