Hi CVS members and VCFSE Sector organisations
CVS UPDATE ON THE AGM
Further to the formal notice of the CVS AGM, which was issued in January 2026, I would like to update you all and invite you to join a conversation about the future of local government and the future of the VCFSE Sector in Lancashire.
Local Government and the VCFSE Sector are closely entwinned in working together for the benefit of the communities we serve. Please come to the AGM to hear about:
THE MOST IMPORTANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHANGE IN 52 YEARS (since 1974).
The Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Phil Riley, has kindly agreed to come and speak to our members about the importance of unitary government and the option that Blackburn with Darwen Council has put forward in partnership with other local authorities. We will also explore the other options that are being put forward and want to listen to your views on what is in the best interests of the VCFSE Sector, local residents and communities that we serve and Lancastrians right across our sub region.
On Wednesday 5th February, the National Government has formally launched the consultation on the major changes that will happen. Blackburn with Darwen CVS (trading as Community CVS) has been formally invited by the Government to respond to let the Government know about our views of local residents and the VCFSE Sector on the options. We would like to hear the views of CVS members and the wider VCFSE Sector so that we can prepare a response that properly reflects the strength of local feelings and ensures that local government is fit for purpose for the next 50 years and beyond.
- The Community CVS AGM is being held at 12 noon on Thursday 12th February 2026 at the Eanam Wharf Business Development Centre, Eanam Wharf, Eanam Old Road, Blackburn BB1 5BL.
Please attend to let us know your views. We also have some very important decisions to take about Community CVS.
Please make every effort to attend this important meeting to contribute towards this important discussion and help guide the future direction for local government, for Community CVS and the wider VCFSE Sector.
I will look forward to seeing as many of you as possible, at the AGM to help us with the formal business but also to hear to what Cllr Riley has to say and to join the discussion on how Community CVS should formally respond to the consultation on behalf of the VCFSE Sector in Blackburn with Darwen and across Lancashire.
Yours Sincerely
Garth Hodgkinson
CEO and Company Secretary
Community CVS
For more information on the local government reorganisation – please see the following links:
- Link to the national government consultation for Lancashire
This explains how to respond to the national consultation for the local government reorganisation for our communities. - Link to the article in the Shuttle
This links to a local article – which explains the launch of the consultation. - Link to Lancashire Local Government Reorganisation Website
This links to the Lancashire website that contains information on the 5 options, including the detailed business cases that have been made for each option.
