Voluntary organizations and the reconfiguration of local governance

Abstract

The emerging power base of Training and Enterprise Councils raises im portant issues for the reconfiguration of local governance in England and Wales. Of particular interest is how the private sector-led TECs interface with the voluntary sector. The extent and forms of inclusion of voluntary sector interests in deciding local training programmes varies consider ably between TECs, reflecting their wide nominal discretion on how they respond to local needs. Problems in articulation of voluntary sector demands and their local legitimacy within the new local institutional terrain are important constraints on access by communities to TEC re sources.