Strengthening Partnerships Consultation
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-08)

Consultation on strengthening the requirement for Category 1 responders to establish and maintain partnerships with voluntary, community and faith organisations

Introduction

The tragedy at Grenfell Tower and other emergencies have emphasised the vital role of voluntary, community and faith-based (VCF) organisations in providing support, coordination, and care for those affected.

There are good examples of VCF representatives working closely with national and local emergency responders to help their communities in relation to all aspects of resilience. VCF organisations can often have specialist training or skills that are needed in an emergency. Other VCF organisations contribute to the overall wellbeing of their community, have strong existing relationships and understand their needs. The UK government is committed to ensuring that resilience is inclusive and reflects the diverse needs of communities. We recognise the important role of VCF organisations in enhancing community preparedness and response for emergencies. We are committed to building stronger relationships and collaboration with these groups.

What is a category 1 responder?

Part 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), supporting Regulations, and statutory guidance ‘Emergency preparedness’, establish a clear set of roles and responsibilities for those involved in emergency preparation and response at the local level. The Civil Contingencies Act (2004) divides local responders into 2 categories, imposing a different set of duties on each.

Those in Category 1 are organisations at the core of the response to most emergencies (the emergency services, local authorities, NHS bodies, for example). Category 1 responders are subject to the full set of civil protection duties. They are required to:
- assess the risk of emergencies occurring and use this to inform contingency planning;
- put in place emergency plans;
- put in place business continuity management arrangements;
- put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency;
- share information with other local responders to enhance co-ordination;
- co-operate with other local responders to enhance co-ordination and efficiency; and
- provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity management (local authorities only).
Category 2 organisations (the Health and Safety Executive, transport and utility companies, for example) are ‘co-operating bodies’. They are less likely to be involved in the heart of planning work, but will be heavily involved in incidents that affect their own sector. Category 2 responders have a lesser set of duties - co-operating and sharing relevant information with other Category 1 and 2 responders.

Reason for consulting

This consultation seeks views about suggested changes to Regulation 23 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005. The regulation requires general Category 1 responders, under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004), to have regard to the activities of relevant voluntary organisations when preparing for and responding to emergencies.

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended strengthening partnership working requirements between general Category 1 responders and VCF organisations. The requirement would be implemented by amending the regulation to require general Category 1 responders to establish and maintain partnerships with voluntary, community and faith organisations in the areas in which the emergency responders are responsible for preparing for and responding to emergencies.

In considering this recommendation, it is essential for the government to balance the benefits of structured collaboration with an understanding of the ability and resources of both statutory emergency responders and VCF organisations. The voluntary and community sector is diverse, ranging from large, established organisations to smaller, localised groups, each of which contributes uniquely to community building and resilience.

This consultation will gather views on whether amending an existing statutory duty is an effective and proportionate means to strengthen engagement, what the challenges and opportunities are, and whether there are alternative ways to achieve improved partnership working. We want to better understand the potential effects of any changes to regulations. The outcome of this consultation will help inform our approach to support more inclusive and collaborative working.

Geographic extent of the consultation

This consultation is led by the Cabinet Office in the UK government, in response to a recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Regulation 23 applies to general Category 1 responders. Most of these organisations are England-based, although some of these organisations operate UK-wide or in the other Parts of the UK.

The UK government aims to collect a range of feedback. Therefore, responses are welcome from organisations across the entire UK, although any future changes to Regulation 23 of the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005 may be limited to England.

Implementing the current regulation

Statutory guidance expands on the current scope of the regulation and its implementation by general Category 1 responders. This is further supported by non-statutory guidance that helps emergency planners ensure communities are central to emergency planning, response and recovery.

In practice, a voluntary organisation is considered to carry out activities which are relevant in an emergency, if those activities are for the purpose of (a) preventing an emergency; (b) reducing, controlling or mitigating the effects of an emergency; or (c) taking other action in connection with an emergency. It is immaterial if the voluntary organisation also carries out activities for other purposes.

Who should complete the consultation?

The consultation is seeking responses from category 1 or 2 responders, and voluntary, community or faith organisations. Although the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s recommendation is focused on general Category 1 responders, responses from any categorised responder under the Civil Contingencies Act are encouraged. This acknowledges the collaborative, multi-agency environment in which emergency planning and response takes place.

We welcome responses from a range of civil society organisations including, but not limited to, those involved in: Community support and mutual aid; Culture and recreation; Development; Disability advocacy and representation; Education; Emergency planning and response; Environment; Grant-making; Health; International; Law and advocacy; Local infrastructure organisations or local membership body; National membership bodies; Religion; Research; Social services; Uniformed and leadership youth programmes; Village halls.

New Burdens Doctrine

We recognise that any future proposed changes may give rise to new burdens on local authorities. The Cabinet Office is engaging the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and is committed to fully assessing any such burdens in line with the New Burdens Doctrine.

How we will use your data

The Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your data. We might use your data where provided to contact you to:
- discuss your response;
- invite you to focus groups or discussions;
- make you aware if the consultation has to be reissued;
- make you aware when the response has been published.
Enquiries

Enquiries for this consultation can be sent to: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

How to respond

To respond to this call for evidence please use the online survey system:

Survey Link (https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/StrengtheningPartnershipsConsultation/)

In exceptional circumstances only, where you are unable to use the online system, please contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) to request a Word version of this template. When complete, it should be returned by email to this same address as a word document. PDFs will not be accepted.

All responses must be received by the department before the closing date, otherwise they will not be considered. Postal submissions will not be considered.

We recommend that individual organisations provide a single consolidated response.

Response

The government will publish a response to this consultation on GOV.UK within 12 weeks of its closing. If, for any reason, we are unable to respond to the consultation within 12 weeks, we will provide an explanation at the consultation page on GOV.UK about why this is not possible.