COMMUNITY ACTION NORTHUMBERLAND
WORK IN PROGRESS REPORT
Presented to the Executive Committee
16 March 2007
DAVID FRANCIS
DIRECTOR
Staff
Sue Hacking took up her post of Information Officer on 1 March 2007. She is based in Hexham and is supporting Jane Hart and Tynedale District Council in the organisation of the Tynedale Community Development Network and the Village Halls Consortium, as well as compiling information for community groups.
We have appointed Lynda Watson to the new post of Compact and Contracts Officer. The NSP has agreed to award ‘pump priming fund’ money from the Local Area Agreement to continue this post until March 2009. Lynda, who currently works for Wansbeck District Council on Objective 2 and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, will be joining us in late March.
The Carer Link staff (Kate Whitehead and Jean Worth) are now directly employed by Carer Link (w.e.f. 1 March) and Elaine Porter (Pegswood Open Project) will transfer to direct employment by that Project on 1 April 2007.
Natural Communities
The ‘map’ of Belonging Communities in Northumberland has now been finalised, following some last-minute difficulties in the Eastern Castle Morpeth area concerning both the concept and also the proposed linking of certain adjacent communities. Work has also been progressing on defining how organisations will co-operate at the characteristic community level, which is based on a subdivision of Northumberland, for inter-agency collaborative purposes, into 3 areas (North, West and South-East).
It had been hoped that, by late Autumn 2006 a new network of partnerships would be well in place, based on the Natural Communities agenda. However, tensions arising from the local government review have reduced the co-operation of district councils: a situation which may be resolved after the end of March, when the Government announces its preliminary verdict on re-organisation for Northumberland.
Meanwhile, and despite these difficulties, our staff have been supporting the development of networking at the Belonging Community level and, in one area, Characteristic Community level. The newly-created VCS Networking Fund, which we operate, is helping this process.
European programmes
We have contributed to the development of the new European programmes, which will be replacing Objective 2, LEADER + and ERDP, all of which are now pretty much at an end. Objective 2 is being replaced by two separate programmes: a nationally-specified ESF stream, and a regionally-run ERDF stream. There is relatively little prospect for community-run initiatives to be supported, compared with previous programmes. Responsibility for the new rural programme RDPE is similarly complicated, with Natural England administering the agri-environment measures, and ONE administering the socio-economic measures. It is possible that part of the socio-economic budget might be devolved to the NSP, and linked to a revised LEADER approach which could embrace all or much of rural Northumberland.
Regional Networking
At the end of January we submitted a proposal and request for funding to the new ONE Third Sector Regional Networking Fund, to develop and support region-wide VCS rural networking. This would be based on the 3 RCCs in the region, and it would involve greater collaboration, training, practice-sharing and policy work. The funding, if approved, would run to March 2008.
Parish Councils
NALC (Northumberland Association of Local Councils) has responded to national consultations on a revised code of conduct for councillors, on possible revisions to the charging tariff linked to the Freedom of Information Act and on a possible new nationwide database. We have also made representations to DCLG to expedite the formation of new parish councils where they are needed: this is already a concern in Berwick, where a new Town Council is being delayed, and it could soon be an issue for communities in South-East Northumberland as well.
Meanwhile, preparations are in hand for the May parish elections. We have circulated a ‘Joining Your Local Council’ paper, for use by all parish councils to encourage new candidates, and we are planning a range of training events for new councillors and new chairmen, for June to September.
Northumberland Strategic Partnership
The NSP is nearing the completion of the new county-wide Community Strategy and the ‘refreshed’ Local Area Agreement. NSP is working closely with ONE to develop a Northumberland development programme for the period beginning in April 2008, which has not been easy because ONE have been slow to develop their thinking about the role and responsibilities of the 4 sub-regional partnerships beyond March 2008. It is likely that local partners – notably but not exclusively the public sector – will need to make an increased annual contribution to the running costs of NSP, in this new period.
Meanwhile, NSP continues to perform extremely effectively with the delivery of ONE’s programmes and it has therefore again attracted a ‘windfall’ of additional ONE funding for Northumberland, late in the financial year.
ALAN HEDLEY – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Since January 07 report:
Attended various CCN sub committee meetings (Personnel 08/03/07,Communications 13/02/07and Finance 16/02/07) and Development Team meetings 07/02/07 & 14/03/07).
With David Francis and Norman Dunn began review of ACRE Quality Standards.
Change of name
Organised further presentational changes to website
Additional letterheads and compliment slips printed.
Other communications
Compiled February 2007 to April 2007 edition of Northumberland Community News.
Staff Recruitment
Information Officer (Tynedale): Assisted in short listing applicants and chaired interview panel.
Compact / Contracts Officer: Assisted in reception of candidates at interview stage
Village Halls, community groups and parish councils
Organised “Safeguarding Vulnerable Users in Village Halls” training for village hall management committees. Courses held at Morpeth (Methodist Church) on 6 February and Stannington (Village Hall) on 8 and 15 March.
Visited Whitley Chapel Parish Hall management committee to discuss governance and related matters.
Attended Berwick Palace Green Pavilion open meeting to adopt constitution and gave support.
Visited Lowick Village Hall, with Jane Hart, to assist Committee with advice on outcomes in preparation of a lottery application
JANE HART – CDO (HEXHAM AREA)
Tynedale Strategic Partnership/Joint Partnerships meetings: These are examples of how Jane Hart is now working more at a strategic, area wide level. The Joint Partnerships meeting is an opportunity to keep in contact with all local partnerships at one time and is therefore a more efficient use of time.
Hexham East End Consultation: The brief consultation exercise Jane Hart carried out in 2006 gave the working group sufficient evidence to allow them to commission a much more detailed survey of the needs of the area. It is hoped that this in turn will result in the regeneration of the area.
Hexham East End Residents Group: As a result of the consultation previously mentioned, the Residents Association has been reconvened. The group had not met for some years and Jane Hart is now helping it to reorganise itself in order to be able to take a full part in the regeneration process.
Tynedale Local Strategic Partnership sub group – Building Inclusive and Stronger Communities: Jane Hart has been part of this group which is helping to develop Tynedale’s new Community Strategy. This strand fits well with CAN’s vision for communities in Northumberland and CAN will have a part to play in delivering action which come from the plan.
Understanding and Using an Outcomes Focus: Following on from the two day course she attended in July 2006, Jane Hart has continued to look at how such a focus might improve CAN’s internal monitoring and reporting. Because this new focus is also important to the groups CAN advises, Jane has been working to pass on her understanding to the other Community Development Officers. A similar training opportunity has been offered to community buildings, particularly those who intend to apply to the Big Lottery Fund Community Buildings grant scheme. To date, Jane has carried out sessions with Riding Mill and Lowick halls.
Wark Parish Plan Open Meeting: Wark is the latest parish council to decide to undertake a Parish Plan. Jane Hart attended a well attended open meeting to advise on the process. There are currently six parishes in Tynedale undertaking plans and Jane will have preliminary meetings with two more in the next month.
Julie Crocker-CDO (Castle Morpeth)
Rural West Partnership (RWP): A Stakeholders Conference took place at Whalton 18th January 07. Tyne Team facilitated the conference and 29 people attending comprising of Parish Councils, Village Halls and local groups. The background of the RWP was discussed and presentations made by both myself and Graham Bone from CMBC. The participants were put into groups and achievable project ideas discussed. These will be reviewed by the Board and taken forward by both myself and Graham. Most ideas highlighted consisted of funding advice, support from agencies and communication between groups. The feedback received during and after the event has been excellent.
Miners Welfare Institutes (Linton, Lynemouth, Pegswood & Red Row): The Leisure Review is still ongoing and a further consultation will be done in the Linton area. The consultants PMP will be carrying out a door-to-door survey and I have asked to be involved in that so that I can help to get the views of some of the local people and to highlight what we do. To be carried out March/April 07.
Parish Councils: The Mitford consultation event has been delayed and a date to be agreed. Both myself and Louise visited Thirston PC recently to discuss a possible parish plan and they are keen to gauge interest. Widdrington and Stobswood need wider consultation before a parish plan is taken forward. I will be meeting with relevant groups before the May elections to discuss this further. So far I have met with both the PC Clerk and the RA who are both keen.
Additional Community Groups: I have started working with new groups in Scots Gap, Stamfordham, Stannington, Heddon and Ponteland.
PR: An article about ‘Legacy of Life’ went into our Community News and also the Evening Chronicle mentioning CAN. The programme has had many ‘spin-off’ for the charity and we are certainly very highly regarded by both Sue and Richard the founders. The RWP Conference was a great chance to advertise our services again and many people approached me after the event for further help.
JULIA SHARPLEY – CDO (ALNWICK AREA)
Advice & support to community groups:
Alnmouth Football Club, Alnwick Harriers, Hipsburn After School Club, Little Acorns Pre-School, Alnwick Lionhearts (Mental Health Group), Embleton Cygnets
All of these groups have had help with a mixture of funding, start-up, project development, constitutional and management issues. It is all new work which is now on-going.
Parish Plans and community appraisals:
‘Pushing the Parish Plan scheme’-A lot of my efforts have been focused on getting Parish Plans off the ground. Embleton and Glanton are now on the point of submitting applications, Netherton is likely to follow before the end of March. This has been a particular target for me as there are currently no parish plans in the Coquet area. Another Parish who has recently expressed an interest in doing a Parish Plan is Elsdon. All of these Parish Groups are receiving on-going support.
Rennington have now got their Parish Plan fully underway.
Support and/or convene local community consultative groups:
Alnwick Rural Area Network – ARAN will be submitting a bid to the Network fund to get some administrative support for their work.
Supporting and Convening district-wide thematic networks:
I now have a quote from Grass Roots for administrative support for Alnwick VCS Network. I hope to get funding support from the Network Fund for this group so that I can spend more time in my core role supporting Community Groups and less time organising Network Meetings. The Network itself is starting to look at areas of interest in common. The next meeting will focus only on one issue common to everyone and that is to share best practice and concerns regarding ‘reaching people’ in this geographically disparate district.
MARC JOHNSON – CDO (BERWICK AREA)
Parish Councils
I have been involved with the creation of the Glendale Parish Network and I am currently helping them to submit a funding application to the Northumberland Network Fund.
Networking
The Local Strategic Partnership does not seem to be progressing. I will be keep monitoring the situation in order to determine if there is any value of getting involved.
The Berwick Network is going well. I am assisting Berwick Voluntary Forum with an application to the Northumberland Network Fund to help maintain and develop the network.
Community & Voluntary Groups
I have provided two training sessions with Berwick & Alnwick CABs and Berwick Development Trust on Trustee Duties and Liabilities. Both sessions went reasonably well and with a little bit of tweaking I think I will have a very good session which can be delivered to other groups.
I am working with Volunteer Centre North Northumberland to help them identify and secure funding which will enable them to become independent of CAN.
I am working with numerous other groups – mostly providing information and advice on funding.
LOUISE CURRIE – CIO (MORPETH)
Meetings attended
- 1x Staff meeting
- 1x Executive Meeting
- 1x meeting with John Cooper (NSP)
- 1x Alnwick Network Meeting
- 1x meeting with Ellie Noble (re Parish council survey)
- 1x Tynedale Meeting
- 1x meeting with Grassroots
- 1x Parish Council meeting – Thirston re Parish Plans
Visits made
- Jane Hart
- Marc Johnson
- Fergus Arkley – Teesdale Halls
Training courses attended
- Vulnerable Adults Training
- FINE Capital Funds training day
Work undertaken
- Arranged and assisted Sylvia Harrison in the organisation of a Consortia meeting to be held 15-13-07. The meeting will involve the North Northumberland and Tynedale Village Hall Consortia, with Northumberland College. The outcome of the meeting will be the organisation of Food Safety Training for Village Hall Management Groups across the county. Courses and exam fees to be funded from CIO budget. Arrangements ongoing.
- Completion of the Parish Council survey/questionnaire. Document distributed the end of February with a return date of 30th March. Grassroots undertaking data processing. Ongoing.
- Distributed Parish Plan application to steering group for consideration for funding. Village awarded grant and Parish Plan now underway.
- Ordered Parish Plan Toolkit packs from ACRE and distributing amongst CAN Staff for use with groups.
- Training Programme for Parish Councils for 2007 with approximate dates and topics decided. Venues and dates to be finalised. Ongoing.
- Currently distributing Village Hall Management Health Checks to Village Halls and collating interest in the Hallmark scheme.
- First training event for Parish Councils – Financial Management - to take place end March and beginning of April.
- Attending NALC training (County Training Partnerships) in Nottingham 6-3-07
- Attending ACRE Hallmark Training Day in Cirencester 26th/27th March with Alan Hedley, prior to rolling out the quality scheme to Village Hall management committees.
- Attending Open Network Meeting – NSP on 21st March
KELVIN RUSHWORTH – VOLUNTEER CENTRE NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND
Rural Volunteer Centres
For Volunteer Centres in rural areas serving sparse populations, early 2007 has been an exciting time! The annual Volunteering England Conference for Volunteer Centres (‘Tools of the Trade’) highlighted the launch of Excellence in Volunteer Management, lively communication strategies, discussion about a sustainable funding model and news from the Downing Street Office of the Third Sector. The inspirational NCVO event (‘Standing Up, Taking Part’) launched the final document from the NCVO Rural Unit about ‘accessible services’ and ‘ruralproofing’ in the voluntary and community sectors.
Working relationships in Northumberland
The population of the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed has the highest proportion of pensioners of any local authority district in England. Therefore, for Volunteer Centre North Northumberland, ‘older people and volunteering’ is a crucial priority. New relevant working relationships are developing between VCNN and Elderberries (at Alnwick Garden) and Age Concern Northumberland. Also, specifically looking towards the 2012 Olympic Games, VCNN is assisting Sport Northumberland with a workforce development survey which (for the first time in the county) maps the skills and training needs of the huge number of volunteers and employees involved in the full range of large and small local and county sports clubs and sporting organisations.
‘Shaping the Future’
‘Volunteering Northumberland’ is the shorthand term for the loose federation of three Volunteer Centres (Castle Morpeth & Wansbeck, North Northumberland and Tynedale) and Millennium Volunteers (in Blyth Valley). Longhirst Hall was the venue for an awayday for all employees within Volunteering Northumberland to assess, review and renew initiatives to ensure closer working relationships. At the end of the month, Volunteering Northumberland will host the first ever event for over one hundred people from public, private, voluntary and community sector ‘volunteer-involving organisations’ across the county at ‘The Perfect Day Out’, funded by a special grant from Volunteering England.
GEORGE COURTICE – SECTOR DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Northumberland Network Fund
Information about this £20,000 fund has been distributed widely throughout Northumberland and the first grants are about to be made. Priority is being given to networks based on belonging and characteristic communities, those based on districts and networks serving a particular target group.
Northumberland Infrastructure Support Programme
To date this programme has overseen the allocation of over £1million to infrastructure projects for the period 2006-08. Capacitybuilders, the national agency charged with taking on the ChangeUp programme, has announced a further fund, the Consortia Development Fund, and £110k has been allocated to Northumberland by the Regional Infrastructure Steering Group from a north east allocation of £592k. This is specifically for Consortia development and must be spent by March 2008. In addition, NSP has been notified of additional windfall money from One NorthEast and are proposing to allocate £400k of it to the VCS. Discussions are underway to determine what constraints are likely to be placed on this money.
VCS Consortium
The Infrastructure development strategy (2007-14) is in the final stages of completion and agreement.
Mark Henderson,CEO of the County Council, has been invited to address the Consortium over the County’s proposals for Local Government Re-Organisation with particular reference to the VCS. The District authorities have been invited to take part in a similar event and we are awaiting a response.
Northumberland Compact
- Lynda Watson, previously with Wansbeck District Council on European funding, has been appointed to this post and will be starting on March 26th.
- About 40 voluntary and community ‘front-line’ organisations have been invited to sign up to the Compact. They have been selected on the basis of their known contractual relationships with public bodies.
