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RCAN News
Recent research conducted by CCD (the Community Council of Devon) has highlighted the use, impact, and potential of multi-use community buildings across rural Devon. It updates information on the condition of community buildings available to rural communities, and learns more about their current and potential uses.
The main research report is available online on the CCD publications page, or via the news headline on the front-page on www.devonrcc.org.uk
Abby Thomas, the Deputy Chief Executive of Surrey Community Action has been an outstanding member of Surrey Community Action’s team for over 5 years, embracing what is so special about the VCF, enthusiasm and innovation. She has now the opportunity to enhance her career by becoming Principle Policy Officer/Community Engagement and Equalities at Bracknell Borough Council and is leaving the organisation in July. We would like to wish Abby well in the future and thank her for her contribution to the Rural Community Action Network.
In the immediate future please direct all enquiries which would currently go through Abby to Jean Roberts-Jones, Chief Executive.
News
Local Area Agreements
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has published Local Area Agreement targets for local authorities in England. Each locality has identified the specific priorities that will most improve the quality of life for its residents that reflect their own individual challenges and circumstances. Alongside tackling crime, three-quarters of local areas have prioritised getting unemployed young people into work or education while more than two-thirds will focus on reducing teenage pregnancy. Generating affordable homes and tackling childhood obesity also feature among the top 10 priorities.
Further information is available online.
Concerns over Community Empowerment White Paper
Community sector leaders have voiced concerns that fundamental flaws will undermine the government’s forthcoming empowerment white paper. Representatives of organisations belonging to the Community Sector Coalition (CSC) have told New Start they are concerned the government has underestimated the importance of collective action. Concerns over the paper’s content were shared by Sylvia Brown, chief executive of Action with Communities in Rural England, who warned a lack of clarity in the proposals could result in ‘postcode empowerment’, with councils interpreting the paper in radically different ways. For the full article click here.
New Deal for Communities
Communities Minister Baroness Andrews has announced £500m for neighbourhood partnerships in deprived communities across the country, to continue helping their work to cut crime levels, improve educational achievements and boost job opportunities. Over £250m will be made available over the next two years, and is in addition to the £230m announced in April for this year.
Further information is available online.
DTA wants community anchor cash answers
New Start Magazine discusses that Ministers have been urged not to cut the £141m earmarked for the community anchors programme amid rumours that the funding could be diverted elsewhere. The future of the package made up of £130m from the DCLG and £11m from the Office of the Third Sector which was identified in last year’s spending review to fund community anchor pilots is uncertain.
Citizenship survey
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has released findings from the Citizenship Survey 2007. Headline figures from the survey (April 2007 - March 2008) show that in the last year just 38 per cent of respondents felt able to influence decisions in their local area whilst only 39 per cent of people were involved in some kind of civic participation such as attending a public meeting, signing a local petition or contacting a local councillor.Further information is available online.
LawWorks for Community Groups
LawWorks for Community Groups (a project of national charity, the Solicitors Pro Bono Group, operating under the LawWorks name) was set up 6 years ago to match small not-for-profit organisations, including social enterprises, in need of free legal advice with a network of volunteer lawyers. To date they have helped around 1000 organisations receive free advice in all areas of law including company law, employment, property law and intellectual property. Over 80 law firms and companies participate in this national scheme and we regularly evaluate the project to make sure we provide an efficient service. For further information visit their website.
Events
EMRAF Conference - Rural Regeneration
East Midlands Rural Affairs Forum (EMRAF) will be holding their 7th annual conference on Wednesday 9th July at PERA Innovation Centre in Melton Mowbray between 9.30am - 3.40pm. The theme for the event will be Rural Regeneration. The conference is being held once again at PERA Innovation Park, and this year sees the return of the Market Place which is sponsored by Action for Market Towns. Rates per delegate are £50. Voluntary and community sector organisations, free.
Capita’s 3rd Annual - Low Carbon Social Housing Conference
Innovative Ideas and Measures for Existing Stock, Friday 11th July 2008, Mayfair Conference Centre, London. Please note that we still have some spaces available on this popular event, which is supported by the Centre for Sustainable Energy and the Housing Corporation, and is taking place at the Mayfair Conference Centre. The conference, which includes a keynote address from Dr Phyllis Starkey MP, Chair, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, is an excellent learning and networking opportunity for anyone involved with Asset Management, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability.
For conference agenda and booking form please click here or if the link doesn’t work please ask for a brochure via email at dave.eastman@capita.co.uk
Capita’s 3rd National - Children Missing Education Conference
Monday 22nd September 2008 – Central London
Please click here to download a copy of the conference brochure in pdf format, which includes a full list of speakers, an agenda for the day and a booking form. Chaired by Penny Nicholls, Director of Children and Young People, The Children’s Society, the conference will provide all parties involved in CME with an interactive forum in which to share experience and practical advice. Our speakers will highlight ways to overcome the wide range of challenges surrounding identifying, tracking and engaging children missing, or at risk of missing, education.
Funding
Every Action Counts – Invitation to Tender
Every Action Counts is seeking the services of one or more organisations from within the Consortium to improve the reach of the programme to engage a range of specific diverse communities.
We are seeking bids that will engage and motivate these groups through regional networks, local members and affiliates, local infrastructure bodies or other intermediates, with a specific focus on supporting local action relating to the EAC programme. This should include the development of action plans by local groups, and on community action that contributes to the overall targets of the programme (i.e. its five themes – energy and climate change; transport; waste minimisation and recycling; care for where you live, focusing on local environmental improvements; fair trade and ethical shopping).
The tender is open to EAC Consortium members working in partnership with others from within or outside the Consortium. The work should be undertaken between August 2008 and January 2009. A budget of £55,000 is available to undertake this work. Completed tenders should be returned to Mark Walton Head, Every Action Counts by 5pm on Friday 18th July. For further details see attached document.
Futurebuilders
Futurebuilders England has launched a new £1m tender fund intended to help third sector providers win contracts where prohibitive tendering costs would otherwise make it difficult for them to bid. It will provide interest-free three year loans of between £3,000 and £50,000 and is aimed at organisations who simply need a smaller sum of money to get them through the tendering stage. Further details are available online.
CIB Launch new website
Charities Information Bureau South & West has launched a website providing a funding advice service to the whole of the south-west of England.
Recruitment
Chief Executive - Community Action
Community Action, the rural community council for Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, is the dynamic ‘rural’ voice of what is often referred to as the West of England.
The Chief Executive is head of a forward thinking team of paid staff, reporting directly to the Board of Trustees, and will act as the Company Secretary, if as expected the charity applies to become a Company Limited by Guarantee. The post holder, together with the Board, is responsible for strategic planning and for the overall management of the Charity and for the successful delivery of community programmes and services in conjunction with both statutory and voluntary sector partners.
Well-developed business and people management skills, together with an entrepreneurial flair, are key requirements. Applications are invited for this post which is based at Long Ashton, an attractive semi-rural location within easy reach of Bristol. The salary offered is £40,000 per annum. There is a contributory pension scheme and usual expenses of the post will be paid. Information packs are available from jacqui@community-action.org.uk
Policy Officer – Rural Action East
Rural Action East is seeking an enthusiastic individual to improve their strategic influencing and advocacy work. The role will involve research and analysis of policies, collection of data and production of well argued policy papers. A working knowledge of rural communities and what issues concern them would be an advantage. Call Mags Lambert on 01473 242546 or enquiries@ruralactioneast.org.uk for further information and an application pack. Or visit www.RuralActionEast.org.uk
LAA Voluntary Sector Co-ordinator (up to 12 month Secondment Opportunity)
If you have a knowledge of the LAA and the workings of Hamphire’s VCS and public sector you could be just what Community Action Hampshire are looking for. For further details visit their website.
Transforming communities for good - The Development Trusts Association (DTA)
HR and Administration Officer - You will manage the Administration and HR systems in the day-to-day running of the DTA. Working in a busy office, with a friendly team of proactive colleagues you will have a varied portfolio of tasks, including recruitment administration, implementing our environmental policy, events organising and health and safety (for which appropriate training may be available).
Administrative Assistant - You will work as part of a friendly, busy team, sharing in the smooth running of our central administration. You will support our DTA programmes, contracts and National operation by completing general administration, represent us to visitors and assist our event administration.
For more information on the above posts download an application pack.
Take rural life into account - Trustee with strong financial acumen
By supporting people to live in and create vibrant and sustainable rural communities, Plunkett Foundation is improving rural livelihoods through co-operative and social enterprise. The Foundation needs a new trustee who has an understanding or direct experience of social enterprise, rural policy development, finance and law.
You will make a vital contribution not only to Plunkett Foundation but also to rural communities throughout the UK by providing a firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy and evaluating performance. An important aspect of the role is to provide financial advice to the organisation and ensure effective management of the Foundation’s investment funds. Accountable to various stakeholders including the Charity Commission, you will need your skills in business as well as a demonstrable understanding of the role of Trustees within the charity sector to help the board make sound decisions on key issues. Preferably a qualified chartered accountant or equivalent, your extensive financial experience will prove invaluable.
To find out more about Plunkett Foundation’s work, please visit www.plunkett.co.uk Closing date: 29 August 2008. Click here to download full job details.
Current Consultations
DCSF: play strategy
Fair Play: A consultation on the play strategy. A commitment in The Children's Plan
Proposals in the strategy aim to create strong communities which have a variety of places for children to play and in which they have a stake through their active involvement in design and decision making.
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/conDetails.cfm?consultationId=1543
Closing 18 July
Consultation on the new Equality Framework for Local Government - The Equality Standard for Local Government (ESLG) has helped to make equality an integral part of service delivery. To reflect recent demographic changes and emerging thinking on the nature of equality and diversity, I&DeA are developing a revised Equality Framework for Local Government (EFLG).This new framework will complement the National Improvement and Efficiency Strategy and the work of the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs) in improving performance on equality and diversity. I&DeA are particularly interested in the experience of authorities who have implemented the ESLG. Click here for more details. Closing 10 September
Department of Health Volunteer Strategy Consultation
A volunteering strategy for health and social care will articulate the key actions needed to address the perceived obstacles to making a refreshed vision for volunteering in health and social care a reality. The consultation will run until 30 September 2008, with a view to publication of a final strategy and implementation plan in early 2009.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/DH_085186
Closing 30 September |
