Office of the Third Sector Homepage

Main navigation

National Indicators and the third sector

The local government performance framework includes a set of 188 National Indicators (NIs). These indicators cover all the national priority outcomes which local authorities will be responsible for delivering. Each Local Area Agreement (LAA) will have up to 35 of these targets agreed as priorities.  Performance against the priorities set out in the LAA will be assessed through Comprehensive Area Assessments (CAAs). Further information on the definitions for these indicators can be found on the CLG website [external website]

Two of the most important indicators for Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) to consider in terms of the third sector are NI 7 ‘An environment for a thriving third sector' and NI 6 'Participation in regular Volunteering'.

• Table of local authority areas that have chosen NI6 and NI7 [PDF 40KB]

National Indicator 7: 'An environment for a thriving third sector'

NI 7 will measure the contribution that local government and its partners make to the environment in which independent third sector organisations can operate successfully. A stronger third sector can be an asset to every local authority area and this indicator has been included as a government priority in the National Indicator set in recognition of:

• The importance of the third sector to strong, active and empowered communities: A vibrant, diverse and independent third sector is a vital part of a fair and enterprising society. It can help communities to be more cohesive and inclusive, and help individuals to have more say over issues that affect them
• The value of the third sector to responsive and effective local government: The third sector can help local statutory agencies to address a wide range of community concerns, from strengthening community cohesion; to increasing environmental sustainability; to tackling many of the causes and consequences of social and economic disadvantage.
• The value of local government to the third sector: Local statutory agencies can be influential in shaping the environment in which third sector organisations work. NI 7 is designed to capture the overall contribution made by local statutory agencies to the environment in which third sector organisations operate.

The Office of the Third Sector has published a briefing note to provide LSPs with more information on NI7. It is designed to compliment information already provided by CLG.

The briefing note covers:

• Why NI 7 has been included in the National Indicator set;
• How performance against NI 7 will be measured;
• The new third sector survey; and
• Guidance on agreeing NI 7 improvement targets.

Briefing for Local Strategic Partnerships NI 7: 'Environment for a thriving third sector' [PDF 174KB, 16 pages] 

Further information on the development work and pilot study undertaken to guide decisions on the way NI 7 will be measured, as well as the results from the first national third sector survey can be found in the Research and Statistics section of this website. 

National Indicator 6: 'Participation in regular volunteering'

NI 6 will measure the levels of volunteering in an area. High levels of volunteering are one sign of strong, active communities. Volunteers are vital in supporting the range of activity undertaken by third sector organisations and within the public services. Local government has an important role to play in creating a culture in which individuals are able to contribute to their communities by volunteering.

The Office of the Third Sector has published a briefing note to provide LSPs with more information on NI6. It is designed to compliment information already provided by CLG.

The briefing note covers:

• Why NI 6 has been included in the National Indicator set;
• How performance against NI 6 will be measured;
• Guidance on agreeing NI 6 improvement targets.

Briefing for Local Strategic Partnerships NI 6: Participation in Regular Volunteering [PDF 98KB, 8 pages]

Collection of information will be through the new 'Place Survey' [external website] which has been developed by CLG and draws on citizens’ views and perspectives. As part of the development, CLG conducted a consultation on the new place survey. Details of the consultation can be found on the CLG website [external website].