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w/e 26 June 2009

News

Call for action as Rural Pubs and Shops under more threat
A coalition of the National Housing Federation, the British Beer and Pub Association and the Rural Shops Alliance says that 650 pubs and 400 shops will close over the coming year.  The report from NHF states that the main reason to the threat to local services is the chronic lack of affordable housing meaning that the core users of these services can not afford to live in rural areas. The National Housing Federation is calling on local authorities in rural areas to draw up action plans to address the housing needs of their communities.

Government Commitment to Digital Needed in Rural Areas
People in rural England are at risk of constantly playing digital ‘catch up’ unless there is a firm commitment to improving communications access warns the Commission for Rural Communities’ new report.  ‘Mind the Gap − Digital England: a rural perspective’ contains a series of recommendations to Government from the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) to ensure an effective and sustainable communications future for rural England.

RDPE develops a Networking Website
The RDPE (the Rural Development Programme for England) Network’s website has just gone live and can be accessed through the following link.  It contains sections including what the RDPE Network is and does, RDPE funded projects and funding sources.

New Big Lottery (BIG) Recession Funding announced
BIG is to pump a multi-million pound package of funding into communities to help them cope with the effects of the recession.  An additional £43 million is to be invested across the UK to tackle the longer-term effects of the recession on the UK’s communities. BIG is working closely with stakeholders to determine what form the support will take, but it is thought it could include targeted funding for specific services such as debt advice and support to help train increasing numbers of volunteers.  The funding is in line with BIG’s Strategic Funding Framework 2009-15

Defta’s Greener Living Programme Launched
A ministerial announcement on 23rd June 2009 by Hillary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officially launched the Greener Living Fund. At the launch all 8 successful projects will be showcased with their 2 year project aspirations detailed to Government and Third Sector Stakeholders. Defta’s update on the launch will follow shortly.

CRC Calls for Evidence on Impact of Recession on Housing
The Commission for Rural Communities is seeking evidence on the impacts of the recession on housing in rural areas.  It follows their report on the same subject last March.  CRC  wants to hear from you by 10th July of your first hand experiences, whether you are a rural housing association, a rural local authority, a rural based builder, a rural housing developer or someone struggling to find a new home or stay in their existing accommodation. 

Local Democracy
Local Works, the national coalition which promotes the working of the Sustainable Communities Act has issued a reminder that the deadline for communities and councils to submit proposals under the Act is 31st July 2009.  The Act set up a new process where councils and communities can drive the actions and assistance that central government does and gives to promote sustainability locally.  To date 117 councils have committed to use the Sustainable Communities Act to convey proposals to government.  Local Works also wants this to be more than a one off exercise and have developed a draft amendment to the Act which, if passed, will guarantee a rolling programme.

New Housing Discussion website
The Chartered Institute of Housing has relaunched its discussion site this week, rebranded with the slogan Way Ahead: Shaping housing futures  . The pressures of the recession, the expected ongoing lack of public and private finance, and the impending general election make it imperative that the housing sector articulates where it wants to go, influences policy decisions about its future direction, and makes a strong case for the financial and policy environment for its work to be a success.

Publications

CRC’s 7th Recession Impact Report - Economies
The latest of a series of reports on the impacts of the recession on rural areas and its communities has been published.  Focusing on the economy and rural labour markets it highlights for example that new funding announced in the Budget for initiatives to alleviate the effects of the recession, shows little evidence that this is reaching rural areas.

How Good a Place is Your Area to Live Results
The 2008 Place Survey provides information on people's perceptions of their local area and the local services they receive. While it is primarily intended for use at a local level, national and regional results are provided for benchmarking purposes.  Interestingly 29 per cent felt they could influence decisions in their local area.

Events

National Seminar on Common Land and Town and Village Greens – 3rd & 4th September, Gloucester
The University of Gloucestershire is holding the 8th annual seminar to develop a role in the understanding and implementation of the Commons Act 2006, as well as new initiatives and best practice concerning the protection and management of common land and town and village greens.

Safe Sensible Social Selling Alcohol Responsibly: A Consultation on the New Code of Practice for Alcohol Retailers - Regional Stakeholder Events
Events are planned across the country involving discussions with around 100 stakeholders taken from the enforcement, local authority, health and alcohol industry fields to allow discussion on the content of the consultation to inform ministerial decision-making on the final content of the Code of Conduct.

The registration website can be accessed at this link

Funding

OTS and NCVO launch new funding resource
A new free website for comprehensive information about national, local and regional government funding, national, local or regional charitable funding, and EU funding is now available.  Funding Central is a free smart website funded by the Office of the Third Sector which provides access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, plus a wealth of tools and resources supporting third sector organisations to develop sustainable income strategies appropriate to their needs.

Capacitybuilders announce first bursary awards under Phase One of Modernisation Fund Grants Programme
Over 250 frontline third sector organisations across England will benefit from the first £1000 bursary awards made today under the Government's Real Help for Communities:  Modernisation Fund, which is being delivered by Capacitybuilders. The awards aim to help frontline groups increase their impact and become more resilient to the impact of the economic downturn.  Each award buys at least two days of professional advice and support to explore how organisations can build resilience.  A second phase of the programme due to launch in the Autumn.

Criteria for the new £16.7m Hardship Fund announced
This year's Budget saw the announcement of a £16.7m Hardship Fund for the third sector, building on the Real Help for Communities action plan. The Hardship Fund will provide grant support to third sector organisations in England delivering front-line services to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people affected by the recession providing grants of between £50,000 and £250,000 for Health and Social Care, Housing Support, Education and Training, Information, Advice and Guidance.  Further details on how to apply to the fund will be available on the OTS site shortly.

Training

Funding Agreements and Tendering - 24 September and 22 October 2009, London
NCVO is running two new Public Service Delivery Network training events led by legal and procurement experts.  Attendees will get practical information on legal and procurement issues key to service delivery, direct access to experts – find answers to your specific questions, the opportunity to discuss and share experiences across sectors and free publications and resources to take away and share.

Communicating climate change to different people – 7th July, London
This course is for anyone who is keen to get people active on climate change. Whether you work for a local council, a business or a charity, are involved in a local organisation or are simply keen to make a difference this course will give you the skills and knowledge you need. Cost is £258 per person for a large charity and £105 for those with a staff under eight people.

Sustaining your Business – One Day Workshops
Cass Business School, City University London is holding one day workshops during the Autumn.  Each workshop costs £150.  The topics are as follows:
Governance - Getting the Basics Right, 16 September
Direction - Strategic Planning, 22 September
Finance - Finance for Non-Finance Managers, 29 September
People - Getting it Right, Managing People, 7 October
Finance - Sustainable Funding, 15 October
Networks - Effective Networks, 20 October
Operations - Project Management, 27 October

Introduction to Sustainability – Tuesday 23rd July, Bristol
A practical, CPD accredited training session open to all from Sustainability South West – the region’s sustainability champions.  Introduction to Sustainability is a half day course that will provide you with a basic overview of the topic along with hands-on experience of undertaking a sustainability appraisal. This is the first of a rolling training programme and is aimed at those wanting a basic introduction to sustainability. We look forward to offering further sector-specific courses over the coming months.
Please contact Clare Mitchell: clare.mitchell@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk for details.

Vacancies
 
Two posts – Local Food Project – Community Council of Devon
This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic team at the Community Council of Devon.  You will deliver a new programme of support which will help residents across rural Devon to grow their own food through the shared use of community run spaces.  Posts funded by the Big Lottery Fund’s Local Food Programme

Community Council of Devon - Senior Project Officer (Local Food)
You will have proven project management experience and the ability to take a strategic role in the development and spread of good practice.
16hrs per week, 3 year post
Salary £24,402 - £26,016  pro rata + benefits
(pension, flexi-time, 25 days holiday pro rata)
Interview Date: Thursday 23rd July 2009

Community Council of Devon - Community Project Officer (Local Food)
You will have proven community development experience, excellent communication and organisational skills, and experience in food growing or land based projects. The post is full time for 3 years reduced thereafter
Salary £22,001 - £23,473 + benefits
(pension, flexi-time, 25 days holiday)
Interview Date: Thursday 6th August 2009. 

For an application pack please contact:
Community Council of Devon, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QB
info@devonrcc.org.uk or visit www.devonrcc.org.uk
Closing date for both posts: 5pm, Wednesday 15th July 2009

Summer Internships – Local Government Information Unit
The LGiU (Local Government Information Unit) is the leading think-tank on local democracy and local government practice in England. It is offering summer internships of 4- 16 weeks and up to 20 hours per week to work on specific projects within our centres of excellence. It is looking for good research, communications and basic IT skills, an understanding of government and an interest in public policy and a real interest in challenging the way that central and local government deliver services to the citizen.  Please find more details on the projects and how to apply here