15 September 2011
VCS Assembly News Update 15 September (Issue 71)In this issue:
1. News
2. Dates for Your Diary
3. Funding News
4. Consultations
5. Compact
6. Career Opportunities
7. Important Reminders
Print version Attached
VCS Assembly News Update 26 August 2011 (186.13KB)
1. News
Assembly Performance Survey - Please Help!
Responses are few to date!
The VCS Assembly and Shropshire Council are working together to try and adopt a new approach to performance, focused on outcomes and ensuring reporting is proportionate to value/scale etc. A questionnaire has been developed designed to cover a range of issues relating to performance. The results will be used to ensure that any new approach is based on comments and feedback from the wider VCS Assembly membership. To date the number of responses has been low. Please do your best
to respond to ensure future developments are in line with your organisation's needs.
Please click on the below email to open the Survey.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/vcsperformancemeasures
If you have any questions relating to the survey please email VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk
Message from David Taylor, Corporate Director - People, Shropshire Council
Dear Sir/Madam,
Working with you to create a new vision for adult social care - an invite to Live life: your way Feedback event , Friday 23 September
Thank you to all who contributed to the recent Live life: your way events. Your views, opinions and ideas have been so important to help us shape the vision of adult social care for the future.
Live life: your way has been the biggest consultation we have ever carried out in Shropshire. Over the last 3 months we have held many events across the county, giving people the opportunity to share their views and experiences, to help us develop the best range of services for the people of our county. Throughout these few months, we have listened to many inspirational stories and truly innovative and creative ideas. We have talked to over 550 people so far and now want to give you the opportunity to find out what people have told us at a special Feedback event on:
Friday 23 September at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, 9:30am- 12:00pm.
This event will present the key themes and messages that have come out of the meetings we have had with people who use our services, their family carers and the organisations that support vulnerable people. The event will also involve a brief explanation of the process involved in the creation of the new vision for Adult Social Care.
We anticipate that this will be a very popular event and we very much hope that you will join us.
If you would like to book a place at the event please contact Rebecca Smith at livelifeyourway@shropshire.gov.uk, alternatively please feel free to turn up on the day.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely,
David Taylor
Corporate Director - People
Tel: (01743) 252402 Email: david.taylor@shropshire.gov.uk
SIP Newsletter Published
Please find attached the latest newsletter from the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership dated 8 September 2011.
8th_Sept_SIP_newsletter_issue_15 (171.44KB)
Macular Disease Society - Shrewsbury Support Group
From 17 October 2011 meetings of the Macular Disease Society - Shrewsbury Support Group will move to St Nicholas Hall, Shrewsbury United Reformed Church, Coleham Head. The times of meetings will also change to 1.00 pm until 3.00 pm. The meetings are monthly on the third Monday of the month. VCS Members are encourages to signpost new members to the group and a poster is attached for display on any notice boards. For more information about the group contact Richard
Elliott, Chairman, Macular Disease Society - Shrewsbury Support Group on 01743 792256.
Through the Doorway Autumn Programme Published
Through the Doorway to Healthy Living has published its new training programme for the Autumn 2011. A pdf is attached. For more information use the following contact details: Tel: 01948 841466. Email: mailto:ams@doortohealth.fsnet.co.uk
Web: http://www.throughthedoorway.btck.co.uk/
Through the Doorway Autumn 2011 (271.09KB)
The Hive - Autumn Programme Available
The Hive has distributed its Autumn programme and it is packed with activities, events and workshops. To find out more about what's on email admin@hiveonline.org.uk or visit http://www.hiveonline.org.uk/. Included in the latest programme is information about Bright Owls. Bright Owls offers French, Spanish and
Portuguese sessions for parents and children. Email contact@brightowls.co.uk or visit http://www.brightowls.co.uk/
Chums Befriending Service - News
At the VCS Assembly we were sad to hear the news that CHUMS was not successful in acquiring further funding from the Big Lottery and will therefore not be continuing to provide their befriending service through Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin for the foreseeable future. PACS (Shropshire Peer Counselling and Advocacy Service) the main Charity of the CHUMS Project will be seeking to secure further funding.
New Guidance on Best Value Duty Published
New statutory guidance on the Best Value Duty sets out expectations of the way local authorities should work with voluntary and community groups and small businesses when facing difficult funding decisions.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/bestvaluestatguidance.
Is all volunteering of benefit? (from VolResource)
The Institute for Volunteering Research has produced 'Thinkpiece 3: The flawed third principle of volunteering', which looks behind assumptions of the benefit arising from all volunteering. The paper argues that this is a key weakness in definitions of volunteering based on the three principles of it being unpaid, uncoerced and of benefit.
http://www.ivr.org.uk/VolunteeringEngland/Core/CrawlerResourceServer.aspx?resource=d2f79f4c-6bd3-4ef1-b790-ce407c1f356f
Social enterprise values and public services (from VolResource)
Social Enterprise UK has published a paper on public services and social enterprise values, proposing a "very basic set of values and operating principles in relation to public service reform and the role of social enterprise within that". http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/data/files/Policy/Public_service_and_SE_values_Aug_11.doc
Mandatory electronic filing scrapped by Companies House
The deadline for mandatory electronic filing with Companies House of March 2013 has been scrapped. This reflects the government's determination not to add new regulations that affect small business. The requirement will be reconsidered once the moratorium on new regulation for small businesses has ended in 2014.
Further guidance on charity exception under the Equality Act
The Charity Commission has published more detailed guidance about a key section of the new equality legislation. It has a focus on the charities' exception in the regulations - the ability of a charity to limit the group of people whom it helps - and the guidance includes how this might impact on grant makers and charities with restricted funds.
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/RSS/News/pr_equality_restrictions.aspx
Charity news service resumes (from VolResource)
Community Newswire, the service that helps charities get their stories in national and local media, has officially restarted after receiving funding for the next three years from the Big Lottery Fund. Run by the Media Trust, journalists select stories from press releases and photos that have been submitted, edit them and circulate to newsrooms across the UK. http://www.mediatrust.org/newswire
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/MostRead/1090958/
2. Dates for Your Diary
Hardest Hit Debate - 10 October
Hardest Hit Debate? Hit Back! Speak Up in The Big Debate
Shropshire Disability Network has booked the Council Chamber at Shirehall for the afternoon of Monday 10 October - and it is open house to discuss anything and everything to do with disability. This is for everyone who has a point of view to share about current issues. That means people with disabilities, their carers or families. We want your views so that SDN can help to shape and influence services for your benefit. 1.30 - 4.30pm - see attached document for further details.
Email mailto:info@shropshire-disability.net to reserve your place.
Hardest Hit Campaign (43.88KB)
Investigating The Future for Charitable Giving and Fundraising: The Implications of the Giving White Paper
Date: Wednesday 12th October 2011
Venue: Westminster
Time: 10.40am - 3.15pm
Cost: £150 - £225 per place
http://www.westminster-briefing.com/policy-practice/criminal-justice-briefing/event-detail10/newsarticle/investigating-the-future-for-charitable-giving-and-fundraisingthe-implications-of-the-giving-white/
An introduction to trusteeship - Monday 7 November
4pm-6pm, followed by drinks and networking
Clothworkers' Hall, Dunster Court, Mincing Lane, London EC3R 7AH
Perhaps you're thinking about becoming a charity trustee, but you're not sure what it might involve or where to start. Perhaps you're keen to do more for charity, but you want to give more than money. This seminar will help you to explore what trusteeship could mean for you-how it could develop your career, what liabilities you might face, what would be expected of you, and what the many benefits are for you, for your employer and for the charity. There will also be
practical information on how to become a trustee. As well as hearing from expert panellists, there will be plenty of opportunity for Q&A, plus time for networking and discussion over a glass of wine. The fee for the seminar is £45 plus VAT. To find out more use the web link below:
http://www.philanthropycapital.org/how_we_help/training_and_events/trustee_seminars_autumn_2011.aspx?dm_i=59B,JCG6,1OKP4E,1KOMP,1
Unlocking Enterprise for Women - 11 November 2011
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
St. Peter's Church Eden Close, St Peter's Drive, Worcester WR5 3TZ
The ninth conference held in Worcestershire for all enterprising women (and others who would like to take part) will be held in a new venue. Go and be inspired, network for business and for peer support, have fun, learn, enjoy a wonderful day out working on your business. To find out more visit:
http://unlockingenterprise.eventbrite.com/?ref=enivtefor&invite=MTI0OTUxMi9zYXJhaC5kb2Rkc0BzaHJvcHNoaXJlLmdvdi51ay8w&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformal&utm_term=attend
West Midlands European Network
AUTUMN TRAINING AND SEMINARS
Recent government changes have made it increasingly difficult for third sector organisations to obtain European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). However, WMEN is inviting VCS organisations to attend courses or seminars to explore what impact equalities legislation has on European funded programmes, as well as individual organisations, identify how you continue your project beyond European funding, cogitate what ERDF really means and examine what
European funding may offer in the future to realise Europe 2020 agenda. WMEN's autumn training programme and sub-regional seminars aim to help you to better understand the ERDF, and importantly, how the skills you learn from the ERDF can be transferred to your core practice and activity.
WMEN believes that the third sector has played, and will continue to play, an active and important role in the delivery of European funded projects to the most appropriate and deserving communities. In order to benefit from potential funding in the future, third sector organisations need to be robustly managed and strategically focused with an acute awareness of the appropriate governance and administrative requirements of European funding. These procedures however are transferable, enabling organisations to set an internal quality benchmark for all strategic planning and operational management.
WMEN's FREE training courses and seminars enable you or your staff to invest quality time in researching policies, practices and initiatives within the constraints of a funding regime - practical advice, realistic implications and actions that can then be incorporated into the rest of your core activity as good and appropriate practice. See below for some of the courses and for more visit the website:
http://www.wmeuronet.co.uk/training/events-programme-autumn-2011
Succession Planning - Tuesday 27th September 2011
10am - 1 pm
Wolverhampton YMCA, Temple Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4AN
Succession planning is a vital part of a healthy effective organisation, and this workshop will help you to look to the future and plan accordingly. Without this skill, third sector organisations can miss out on future funding and growth opportunities. Succession planning has always been a requirement of all European funded projects and has become a requirement of many grant and trust funded activities; it is thus best practice when managing any project.
The Road to Europe 2020: addressing social exclusion and the impact on the third sector - Thursday 29th September 2011
9.00am for a 9.30 start - 12.40pm
Enta Conference Centre, Enta CIC, Mill Wharf, 10 Mill Street, Aston, Birmingham B6 4BS
Adopted in June 2010 'Europe 2020' is the EU's growth strategy for the current decade, providing member states with a starting point for drawing up their national economic and employment policies. Earlier this year the UK Government published its plans for structural reforms to reduce unemployment, restore sound budgets and enhance economic growth. Understanding these plans is critical to understanding the future actions and policies implemented by the UK Government.
ERDF Unpacked: coming to a venue near you this October
Thursday 6th October Stoke-on-Trent, The Bridge Centre
Wednesday 12th October Wolverhampton YMCA
Thursday 20th October Coventry, The Hope Centre
Thursday 27th October Ludlow Conference Centre
All seminars: 9.30 for a 9.45am start - 12.30pm approx
These informative seminars will look at the current ERDF priorities and recent changes to the programme administration. They will also include a brief introduction to Europe 2020 and the UK's National Reform Programme (for those of you who can't make the earlier event).
Delegates will be able to book a 20 minute slot after the seminar to discuss any specific questions with WMEN staff.
For more information Email: vaida@wmeuronet.org
http://www.wmeuronet.co.uk/training/events-programme-autumn-2011/
3. Funding News
External Funding Update Published
Please find attached September's External Funding Update from Gary Spence. This issue has good news on Broadband and the Business Enterprise Fund, and features the following funders:
- Prince's Countryside Fund - improving sustainability in rural communities
- Woodward Charitable Trust - for charitable work around disadvantaged people, young people and the environment
- Start Up Awards - business awards for new businesses
- Village SOS - for developing exciting community enterprises
- Business Growth Fund - equity programme for businesses with turnover of £5 million or more
- Fund 101 - small grants for start ups and existing businesses
- Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund - for local projects with innovative ways of tackling and reducing crime http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/crime-innovation-fund.
EFU75 Sep 11 (54.15KB)
Call for 'innovation in giving' proposals
A new government Innovation in Giving Fund is looking for proposals which have the potential to deliver a significant increase in the giving and exchange of time, assets, skills, resources and money. NESTA (National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts) is managing the ten million pound fund, and ideas which focus on four areas are particularly wanted: Reciprocity - ideas that use reciprocity or exchange to stimulate civic action, Pro bono - new ways of
harnessing professional or corporate skills, Sharing - ideas that enable sharing of previously hidden resources and assets, and increasing the number of people making donations. Applications, which must include a 3 minute video summarising the idea, by noon 14th October. Cabinet Office news item at:
http://www.nesta.org.uk/home1/a! ssets/features/innovation_in_giving_fund
Innovation Excellence and Strategic Development Fund 2012-13
The Fund aims to support the voluntary sector in developing innovation across health and social care (England). There are four themes: personalisation and Choice of Care and Support; delivering Better Health and Care Outcomes; improving Public Health; and improving Long-Term Care and Support. Apply by 21st October (register online by 7th October).
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_118373
Child and Families Organisation Grant Scheme
Voluntary organisations providing child and family services across Wales can bid for funding under a renewed Child and Families Organisation Grant Scheme for 2012 to 2014. Applications by 31st October.
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/health/publications/socialcare/guidance1/grants/.
Funding news provided by Gary Spence, External Funding Officer at Shropshire Council and the West Midlands European Network.
4. Consultations
Current Shropshire Council Consultations
All Shropshire Council led consultations taking place are listed on the Shropshire Council website. Current consultation are:
- Education for Shropshire - consultation next steps
- Review of Oswestry parish boundaries - consultation ends 15/9/11
- Homelessness Strategy - consultation ends 30/09/11
- Traffic Regulation Orders - ongoing
- Joint Housing Strategy consultation - ends 30/09/11
For details of Shropshire Council consultations visit:
www.shropshire.gov.uk/consultations
For PCT consultations visit:
http://www.shropshire.nhs.uk/Get-Involved/Current-consultations/
Exemptions for new charge for playing music in public
The music licensing authority PPL is to exempt community halls and youth clubs from a new charge for playing music at parties and social events, the 'Specially Featured Entertainment' tariff. The charge, currently the subject of consultation, will apply when sound recordings are played "in a more prominent manner than as background music". Consultation runs to 14th October.
http://www.ppluk.com/Documents/downloads/Second%20SFE%20Consultation%20Paper.pdf
Wanted: inspiring stories from charity trustees
Trustees' Week 2011, which is running 31st October to 6th November, is looking for feedback and would like to hear from you with inspiring stories about trusteeship, whether just a few words or an audio or video recording. See:
http://trusteesweek.blogspot.com/p/jon-snows-story.html.
http://www.trusteesweek.org.uk/
5. Compact
User Guide to Local Compacts Published
Compact Voice has published 'Local Compacts: A User Guide' giving practical information on what Compacts can cover, communicating their contents, addressing non-compliance and more. ("A local Compact is a mutually agreed document and approach to partnership working between sectors.") Available in sections or as a complete download in pdf from Compact Voice, with other formats available on request.
http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/resources/publications/local-compacts-user-guide
Fore more information about the Compact please email me, Sarah Dodds, mailto:sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone 01743 252740.
6. Career Opportunities
The Green Room Youth Project - The Pavilion Gobowen
Part time vacancy- Session Leader/ Sports Coach
£18200 (pro rata) £10.00 per hour
3 hours per week 6.15pm-9.15pm Wednesday evening
Three month renewable contract.
This new group are looking for an enthusiastic versatile individual to engage with young people aged 9-19. Ability to engage young people in sports activities will be an advantage.
The group will meet 3 Wednesdays a month (not second Wed) at Gobowen Pavilion and if young people are interested arrange trips on the second Wednesday. To apply email your CV to greenroomgobowen@live.co.uk application packs will be sent to applicants.
More career opportunities are advertised on the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership website. Visit: www.ShropshireVCS.org.uk
7. Important Reminders
News Items
VCS Assembly launches new email
The VCS Assembly Coordinator has been receiving an increasingly high volume of emails. The vast number of emails received each day means it has been difficult to deal with all enquires quickly. Many apologies if you have been affected by this. Please telephone 01743 252740 if you need support with any issues or have any unresolved queries. In order to address this problem a new email address has been set up that may be monitored by others (support has been drawn in
from the Council's Partnership Team). The new email address is: VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk
Funding
West Midlands Low Carbon Economy Programme
MEA has recently won a significant amount of funding to deliver the Community Strand of the West Midlands Low Carbon Economy Programme, and is partnering with Localise West Midlands. The funding runs until December 2011 and will help third sector and community groups from across the region develop sustainable energy projects and install renewable technologies. If this of interest get in touch with Simon Ross on 01743 277106 simon@mea.org.uk
Homelessness Transition Fund Launched
The Department for Communities and Local Government has launched a £20 million fund to tackle homelessness in England. Grants of up to grants of £250,000 are available to protect and enhance essential services for single homeless people. The deadline for applications is 30 September 2011. See:
http://www.homeless.org.uk/fund
Events
LOCAL EVENT HENRY Training
There are still a number of places on the group facilitation training 'Let's get Healthy with HENRY'. Course dates are 21st & 22nd September 2011, venue Shrewsbury. Please note that this training is only for participants who have already completed the 2-day HENRY Core training. Details are included in the attachment. For further information contact Gabrielle Jones, Family Care and Well-being, Telephone: 01743 254419.
Localism Conference 2011
Friday 9 December
Hilton Metropole Birmingham
Join NCVO on Friday 9 December at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Birmingham where delegates and speakers will look ahead and discuss how localism is evolving both outside and within the sector. Pre-register your interest. Email Sarah Porter at: sarah.porter@ncvo-vol.org.uk.
SIP Launches Summer/Autumn 2001 Training Programme
Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership has launched its training programme for the Summer and Autumn. A For more information about SIP visit the website:
http://www.shropshirevcs.org.uk/
Demonstrating impact - what it's all about
One day 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 11 October at Reviive, Unit 4, Knight's Park, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury SY1 3AB
Contact rosemary@furniturescheme.co.uk or rosemarycollie@yahoo.com
Consultations
New policy directions for Big Lottery Fund
A government consultation has opened on proposed new policy directions for the Big Lottery Fund. One potential funding priority is "strengthening and increasing the capacity of the social investment market". There is some sector concern that the principle of "additionality", where lottery funding is distinct from government funds, is being weakened. Third Sector news item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/article/1086082/
Deadline 18th November
Consultation page:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/big-lottery-fund-consultation-proposed-policy-directions
Consultation: Housing Benefit reform
The government has launched a consultation on proposals to change the way Housing Benefit helps those living in supported housing within the social and voluntary sector with their rent. They are seeking views to inform their policy development as they look to re-design the way in which Housing Benefit helps with the higher rents sometimes faced by those needing support to live independently, such as the elderly or those with disabilities. You can
respond on-line and to send a formal response, you will need to register and log in.; this will allow you to return later to edit your response. This consultation is open until 9th October 2011.
https://interactive.dwp.gov.uk/housing-benefit-reform-supported-housing
Views sought on state of sector independence (from VolResource)
The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector, set up by the Baring Foundation, published its first consultation report. It invites views and evidence to feed into a report on the state of independence to be published later this year as the first of five annual reports. A key proposal is the creation of a "barometer" of independence. See news release for more background at: http://www.independencepanel.org.uk/pressrelease14july2011
Responses by 21st September: http://www.independencepanel.org.uk/
Compact
Survey results on local Compacts
Compact Voice has published the results of a comprehensive survey into the state of local Compacts in England, the agreements between the public and voluntary sectors. This is the first in what is intended to be an annual exercise to improve understanding and engagement.
http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/news/2011/08/16/research-indicates-88-local-areas-support-compact
Compact Awards 2011 Launched by Compact Voice
The Awards will highlight and recognise outstanding examples of partnership work between voluntary and community organisations and the statutory sector and provide an opportunity to recognise commitment to Compact principles and achievement as a result of implementing Compact-working. Compact Voice is inviting all those involved in Compact groups to consider nominating a person or group as an example of best practice around delivering better partnership working.
www.compactvoice.org.uk/awards
Winners will be announced during this year's Compact Week which takes place from Monday 7 to Friday 11 November 2011.
Shropshire VCS Assembly Updates available
Compact working is still going well in Shropshire and the partnership groups established to tackle priority issues are meeting bi-monthly. To encourage influence from all VCS Assembly members, all meeting papers are published on the internet. See the latest update:
http://shrop.net/2shropnet/AToZOfMini-sites/V/VoluntaryCommunitySectorAssembly/PartnershipWork2011
As usual please send details of any events, news items and other opportunities you would like to share with others.
Best wishes
Sarah Dodds
VCS Assembly Coordinator
Telephone 01743 252740
Email: VCSAssembly@shropshire.gov.uk
Website: www.2shrop.net/shropvcsassembly