COMMUNITY ACTION NORTHUMBERLAND

WORK IN PROGRESS REPORT

Presented to the CAN Executive Committee meeting

24 JANUARY 2007

Constitution

The amendments to the constitution which were agreed at our AGM on 6 November 2006 took full effect on 1 January 2007.  We have notified the Charity Commission and our member organisations, sending them a copy of the revised constitution.  Meanwhile, the Office of the Third Sector have published a timetable for the implementation of the Charities Act 2006.  It seems likely that the new legal status of Charitable Incorporated Organisation will become available early in 2008.

People

As provided in our business plan, we are in the process of recruiting two new posts:

-          a Compact and Contracts Officer, to support the VCS Consortium and the Northumberland Strategic Partnership (NSP) in developing opportunities for contracting and procurement whereby voluntary bodies will provide services on behalf of public bodies.  This may be an employed post, or it may be a secondment.

-          an Information Officer, based in Hexham, to support the work of Jane Hart and the Tynedale Community Development Network.

In February or March, the Carer Link organisation, which covers North Northumberland, will be taking direct employing responsibility for their 2 members of staff – Kate Whitehead and Jean Worth – who hitherto have been employed by us.

Louise Currie began her new post of Community Initiatives Officer in November. Her role is to develop and support new opportunities for the parish councils’ sector and the community buildings’ sector, across Northumberland.

Natural Communities

Progress on the implementation of the Natural Communities initiative during the Autumn has been slower than expected, but the ‘map’ of Belonging Communities is now pretty much finalised.  A pilot scheme has been initiated in the Amble area, to explore how a Belonging Community network might operate.  Meanwhile, we are launching a £20000 grants scheme using Capacity Builders money, to promote and develop VCS networks as part of the Natural Communities initiative.

Parish Councils

At their December meeting, NALC’S County Committee elected Valerie Seddon (Widdrington Village) as chairman, David Cowans (Hepscott) vice-chairman and David Woodard as vice president.  On the National Association, David Francis has been elected to the Executive Committee.

Preparations are now beginning for the May 2007 parish elections, and we are circulating to all parish councils a brochure which they can use to encourage new people to stand for election.  By the time of the elections, there should be a revised Code of Conduct in place, and the eligible age for becoming a councillor will have reduced from 21 to 18.  Louise Currie and David Francis are planning a series of induction/training events for new parish councillors, over the Summer.

NALC has made a submission to the 7 principal authorities in Northumberland, covering the role and distribution of parish councils within a possible unitary authority structure.  It seems likely that politicians in the Blyth Valley and Wansbeck areas will continue to resist the creation of parish councils.

RCCs network

The RCCs network in the North East continues to take shape.  Senior staff and trustees are meeting every few months, under the chairmanship of Bob Burston, who represents this region on ACRE.  We are currently supporting each other in the pursuit of ACRE quality standards and in developing a role re parish councils: something which is not well developed in Durham and Teesside.

We are planning a joint event, probably for February, to consider the implications of the Local Government White Paper.  We are also exploring the possibility of securing some One NE funding for the network.

Alan Hedley – Assistant Director

Since November 06 report:

Attended various CCN sub committee meetings (Personnel 29/11/06 & 23/01/07), Communications 04/12/06 & 09/01/07, Finance 11/12/07) and Development Team meetings 04/12/06 & 21/12/06).

With David Francis and Norman Dunn continued with development of CAN’s Risk Register.

Change of name:

With Communications Sub-Committee continued discussions with the Design Quarter (our appointed Graphic Designer) re new logo. Logo agreed. New letterhead and compliment slips obtained in time for 1 January 2007 change.

Continued on necessary work to ensure CAN version of website was made available for 1 January 2007.  

Other communications

Compiled December 2006 to February 2007 edition of Northumberland Community News.

Completed  and submitted CCN’s Annual Return to Charity Commission.

Village Halls, community groups and parish councils

Attended general meeting of North Northumberland Village Halls Consortium (with Marc Johnson) to support management committee.

Second and third of 3 training events for Fire Risk assessment to comply with new legislation held at Belford on 27 November and Morpeth on 13 December.

Commenced talks with Whitley Chapel Parish Hall and Tarset Village Hall re potential changes to their constitutions and spoke to Craster Memorial Hall management committee on same subject.

Visited Palace Green Pavilion, Berwick and spoke to working group to assist on setting up of charitable trust.

Advised working group for Stannington Sports Club on their constitution and the steps in preparing their project.

George Courtice – Sector Development Officer

Needs Survey

As part of the VCS development strategy 2006-14, an infrastructure needs survey is being carried out to assess the requirements of the county’s voluntary and community organisations. This should provide information and evidence of any changing emphasis of needs as well as providing a base on which to compare the findings of future surveys.  InfoNet have been commissioned to draft the questionnaire and analyse the results and it is planned to approach 300-400 organisations in the county.

Compact/Contract Officer

The appointment of this post was delayed several months while the Approval Panel of the Infrastructure Support Programme determined whether it had sufficient resources to accommodate un-forecast demand on its resources. This was further complicated by having to wait to Christmas before hearing if Capacitybuilders were willing to fund an Equality and Diversity project. This application from the Northumberland Community Development Network was successful and so the CCO post was advertised in January. Like most funding, resources for the post are due to run out at the end of March 2008. In order to attract the right quality of candidate, it was thought desirable to be able to offer more than a single year’s guaranteed funding. We approached the Local Area Agreement to consider funding a second year from its pump priming grant. I am pleased to confirm that this has been recommended to the NSP Executive.  

Network Fund

One element of the Networking and Advocacy project is a £20,000 grant fund to encourage new networks of voluntary and community organisations to be established and/or nurture established ones. Priority will be given to networks based on the levels of ‘belonging’ and ‘characteristic’ communities or districts.   

Louise Currie – Community Initiatives Officer

Meetings attended

• 2x Staff meetings
• 3x Fire Risk Assessment meetings
• 1x Parish Plan event
• 1x VCS Consortium Meeting
• 1x NALC meeting
• 1x Communications meeting
• 1x Steering Group meeting

Visits made

• Julia Sharpley
• Susi Goncu
• Julie Crocker
• Barry Egen
•  

Visits planned week commencing 15-01-07

• Jane Hart
• Marc Johnson
• Sylvia Nicholson – to assist with organisation of training event.

Work undertaken to date

• Formation of general database – Steering Group/Parish clerks/ Nalc/ N/Northumberland Village Hall Consortium
• Part formation of Village Halls database (to update CAN database on completion)
• Compiling a list of Parish Plans undertaken in the County and responsibility for administration of the Parish Plan Grant Fund. There is currently one application approved (Rennington), with approximately five villages in Alnwick district and around nine in the Berwick area, expressing interest in undertaking plans in the near future.
• Investigated the current situation regarding broadband coverage in the County 

Priorities for work;

• Programme of training for Parish Councils - Prepared a letter of invitation to Parish Councils re training programme for 2007. First event decided – date and venue to finalise. Suggestions for future events to be invited.
• Quality Mark/ Health Check for Community Buildings to be undertaken.
• ICT – new survey of usage to be undertaken to gauge the opinion of Parish Councils/others in moving forward.

Julia Sharpley – CDO (Alnwick area)

Work in Progress (only new and significant)

Advice & support to community groups:

Whittingham Village Hall

This group have sent a first-stage application to the Big Lottery Community Buildings fund.

Craster Memorial Hall

They have applied to Awards for All to fund a feasibility study for the Hall. They have also been given some help regarding regularising their constitutional position.

Powburn

Richard Poppleton came to us for some funding advice on their Playground Project. He is delighted that they have succeeded with their Awards for All application to the tune of £10000 and they have also had two lots of money from the Community Foundation. This will now complete their project.

Chester Bears Pre School at Swarland

This group have sought advice on raising funds for the complete replacement of their accommodation. They are at the early stages and have sought advice on essential preliminary issues, budgets, management and funding.

Swarland Show Committee are also looking for more support and for funding. Both of these groups have been encouraged to take an active part in a Parish Plan for the community of one goes ahead.

Parish Plans and community appraisals:

Rennington are working on their questionnaire.

‘Pushing the Parish Plan scheme’

The following Parishes have so far indicated that they are interested in applying to do a Parish Plan in Alnwick District:

Netherton with Harbottle, Hepple, Longframlington, Newton on the Moor and Swarland, Glanton. They all gave positive feedback about the Parish Plans event at Rennington.

Support and/or convene local community consultative groups:

Alnwick Rural Area Network – this group are working on establishing the extent to which Parish Councils in their membership consider whether more isolated members of the community are being reached and whether the PCs consider ‘reaching people’ to be part of their role. They are also trying to establish details of existing voluntary organisations in Parishes in the district with the idea that a directory of groups would be useful.

Supporting and Convening district-wide thematic networks:

I am planning to apply to the new ‘Network Fund’ for support for the Alnwick VCS Network. I would still like some guidance on the extent to which I should be actively involved in developing this Network as opposed to just being a representative member. The forthcoming Network meeting in January will probably focus on ‘Reaching People’ (that is getting the message as to available VCS service provision out there) and identifying overlaps between organisations who target similar sections of the population with similar services.

Julie Crocker- CDO Castle Morpeth

Rural West Partnership (RWP): A conference with the steering group of the RWP incl CAN and CMBC is to take place Thursday 18^th January 07 at 5.30pm. Invites will go out to all community groups and the seventeen Parish Councils in the area. Julie will be explaining to the community the range of help and support that can be offered by CAN. Once the partnership is re-formed Julie and CMBC will be running a weekly half day drop-in session at Whalton to encourage local groups to discuss their needs and ways in which to work together..

Ponteland Ptn: Julie was invited to a recent ‘Meet the Steering Group’ event with a chance to also meet some of the local community. A key issue was to recruit a wider range of community groups to join the partnership which will look at the Ponteland Master Plan. Julie will also be supporting the new fundraising sub-committee in the new year.

Miners Welfare Institutes (Linton, Lynemouth, Pegswood & Red Row): Julie, Barry Egen (CMBC) and Neil Batt (Enrgi) delivered a further training session on ‘Budget & Fundraising’ for Linton and Lynemouth Welfares. Again very successful and to be followed up in the new year after the results of the Leisure Review.

Parish Councils: A public consultation event will be held in Mitford Wednesday 21^st March 07 re: developing a parish plan. Julie will also be meeting with Widdrington & Stobswood PC and pursuing Thirston PC who have both shown interest.

Additional Community Groups: Julie is currently helping groups in Ponteland, Stannington, Heddon, Longhirst, Hadston, Stamfordham, Widdrington, Dalton and Pegswood.

PR: David sent an email a little while ago about 5 philanthropists who will be giving away £1 million. Julie later had an email from Alan about a local project called 'Legacy of Life' that Sue Cansdale had set up when her daughter died and they wanted to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation. They were looking to fundraise £100k and were asking for our advice. Julie thought it sounded like a brilliant project for the philanthropists to put their money behind so Julie put the two together and if you see the email below it all sounds very positive.

“They certainly weren't throwing their money away but the Dragons came up trumps in the most unexpected way. Won't spoil it for you. It has to be kept a big secret. Not even allowed to say what happened til after the show goes out. The first of a series of 7 starts on Tuesday, 2nd January, ITV1.

It will be billed as 'Million Pound Giveaway' or 'Fortune'. Not sure which night we are on but I'll let you know as soon as I hear. Thanks for all your help and encouragement. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year! Sue.”

Hope you get to see the show/s and we'll certainly be putting something in our newsletter and a press article when Sue can divulge more!

Jane Hart – CDO (West)

In a bid to make best use of more limited resources, Jane Hart  is concentrating on developments in part of Tynedale for a few months before moving on to another area. She is currently concentrating on the Haltwhistle area. The following projects have been covered:

Allendale Youth Project: Jane Hart helped the youth worker to consider where the project might go and what funding might be available.

Allen Valley Out Of School Club (AVOOSC): Jane Hart helped this established club with advice on how to access continuation funding.

Newbrough, Warden and Fourstones Pantomime: This pantomime was started one year ago as a means of bringing the three communities together. It was so successful that the group wish to make it an annual event. As before Jane Hart helped with advice on possible funding sources.

Slaggyford Village Hall: This is an ongoing project to refurbish a former “W.I.” hall in a remote community. Jane Hart is helping the group to validate a consultation carried out some years ago prior to making an application to the Big Lottery Fund.

Haydon Bridge Parish Plan: Jane Hart has had preliminary discussions about a Parish Plan. The community feels able to look at the needs of its community now that they have one agreement to construct a bypass which will mean their village is no longer cut in two.

Otterburn Pre-school: Jane Hart followed up a request for funding advice from this established group. As is usual, the advice covered more that just where to go for a grant. Jane helped the group to think about their needs for the next few years and their wider development rather than just the purchase of a few pieces of equipment which had prompted the enquiry. Jane also gave the group tips on how to best present their case and what was required in terms of a budget statement and supporting evidence. The group are considering their options and will return in the New Year.

Stonehaugh Community Hall: This long-running project to build a new community space for a very remote village is nearing its end. The latter part of 2005  brought the type of setbacks which can, and sometimes does, hit a new build, especially one as innovative as Stonehaugh. Due, in no small part, to the cooperation and support of the funders of the project, the construction is back on track and looking forward to completion.

Hexham East End Consultation: This work was commissioned by a working group, including Milecastle Housing, Tynedale Council and Sure Start. Jane Hart was asked to undertake the consultation and report as CCN was seen as an independent body. Jane presented the final report to the steering group and will now help with the process of feeding the results back to the local community and with deciding on future progress.

Marc Johnson – CDO (Berwick area)

Parish Plans

The guide for producing parish plans has been completed. The guide was distributed to all attendees at the parish plans events and will be made available on the website.

North Sunderland Parish Council have shown interest in producing a parish plan and will hopefully submit a funding application to the Northumberland Parish Plans Fund soon.

Berwick Borough Local Strategic Partnership

Having attended the BBLSP AGM and the sub-groups dedicated to Health & Wellbeing and Environment & Energy, there appears to be a lack of direction, purpose and understanding of the LSP. The challenge over the coming months will be to work with the LSP and partners to develop a partnership that is effective and assists in meeting the objectives of CAN.

Community & Voluntary Groups

A pattern which seems to be emerging is the low level of knowledge regarding basic charity law by some groups working in the Borough. Two recent groups I have been working with did not realise that they would have to be registered as a charity. I am now working with Safe Steps and Belford Youth Group to rectify this situation. This may point to a need for some training or information being made available.

Kelvin Rushworth – Manager – Volunteering Centre North Northumberland

Launch of the VCNN Steering Group

A VCNN Scoping Workshop (facilitated by REACH North East volunteer Strategy Adviser, Sean Fugill) included VCNN staff (Kelvin Rushworth and Terri Bearhope), CAN staff (Marc Johnson) and Volunteering England North East staff (Amanda Young) recommended the early launch of a small VCNN Steering Group.

The first meeting, in January 2007, was chaired by Rev Canon Michael Webb and included Vice Chairs Jean Baird (Northumberland Care Trust), Jan Casson MBE (SureStart North Northumberland), Kelvin, Sean and Terri. Discussions included Terms of Reference, Role Profiles and the development of seven discrete Workstreams.

Volunteering and local authorities

Emphasising the crucial role and huge potential of volunteering in local government, VCNN Manager Kelvin Rushworth has been involved in discussions about the recent White Paper, “Strong and Prosperous Communities”, with MORI pollsters in Alnwick, with Northumberland County Council in Morpeth, with councillors and officers of the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed in Belford and with a wide range of contacts in the annual “State of the Area Debate” in Seahouses.  

Volunteering in health and social care services

Currently, for a variety of reasons, almost all national, regional and local policy documents mention the importance of volunteers, volunteering and the voluntary sector. VCNN has distributed complimentary copies of Volunteering England reports on ‘volunteering in the health and social care sector’ and on ‘volunteering and social exclusion’ to a wide range of relevant statutory and voluntary organisations. VCNN Manager Kelvin Rushworth has been in discussions with regional NHS colleagues in the Health Workshop at the VONNE event on “Shared Agenda and Partnerships” in Newcastle and with colleagues from county childrens services in the FACT Workshop at the Standing Conference of Northumberland Strategic Partnership at Linden Hall.