Community Planning Newsletter
Dear Colleague
Welcome to the CVS Fife Community Planning eBulletin. I am planning to use this to keep you informed of new developments regarding Community Planning in Fife. For more information regarding Community Planning please visit the CVS Fife website Community Planning Section. If you have any questions on the content of this eBulletin then please contact me at CVS Fife.
Douglas McLellan
Development / Capacity Building Officer
CVS Fife
23-27 Randolph St.
Buckhaven
KY8 1AT
T: 01592 567001
F: 01592 567009
E: douglas.mclellan@cvsfife.org
W: www.cvsfife.org
Voluntary Sector Manifesto
CVS Fife is actively pursuing the development of a Voluntary Sector Manifesto for the 2007 local government elections. For more details and information and information on how to become involved see the July CVS Fife Newsletter (250K PDF). The paper copy will be with you soon.
Regeneration Outcome Agreement Funding
A sub-group of the Sustainable Communities Group was formed in February this year to assess funding bids made against Fife's uncommitted Communities Regeneration Fund for 06/07 - 07/08.
This ROA Programme Board was comprised of Ken Rutherford, Director (Business Development) Elmwood College (Chair), Sharon Douglas, Team Leader, Funding & Monitoring Team Fife Council, Lynn Leitch, Regeneration Manager, Lochgelly, Maxine Moy, Nurse Consultant, NHS Fife, Rachael Thomas, Development Executive, SEF, Carole Patrick, CVS Fife and Jo-Anne Valentine, Public Health, NHS Fife.
All bids to the Community Regeneration Fund had to fit under one the five national regeneration priorities, with Community Engagement being a cross-cutting theme:
- Building Stronger Safer Communities
- Getting People Back to Work
- Improving Health
- Raising Educational Attainment
- Engaging Young People
The ROA Programme Board had it's work cut out as over 70 applications were submitted and the total amount funding applied for exceeded £6m compared to an available budget of under £2m. Applications were received from the statutory sector and from the voluntary / social enterprise sector. The most prevalent theme - numerically and by value - was 'improving opportunities and access to employment'.
Every application was reviewed in detail by members of the ROA Programme Board and recommendations were submitted for consideration to the Sustainable Communities Group. The Sustainable Communities Group met on 28 April 2006 to approve a programme of projects against uncommitted CRF. A number of voluntary organisations and social enterprises were successful in securing CRF funding, and all unsuccessful applicants have been offered the opportunity to access alternative funding avenues advice via Fife Council's Funding & Monitoring Team or CVS Fife. If you have any queries regarding this item, please contact Carole Patrick - carole.patrick@cvsfife.org.
Review of Support to the Voluntary Sector
On the 16th February, Fife Council Policy and Resources Committee discussed the Council's Support to the Voluntary Sector.
CVS Fife facilitated the review in conjunction with the Consultative Group in November last year, and 117 questionnaires were sent out to voluntary organisations in receipt of Fife Council Funding.
The Committee considered a report by the Strategic Manager (Children and Adult Services) presenting the findings of a review of support for the voluntary sector. Following the review a number of proposed actions were identified to further strengthen the processes that Fife Council has in place to provide and monitor such support. A further review of support arrangements will be carried out after three years to assess the impact of the changes arising from the review and identify any further actions required.
The Committee agreed an action plan for the period 2006 - 2008 including:
- Implement a 3-year application/funding cycle
- Develop procedures to ensure the annual increase across awards to voluntary organisations is implemented consistently
- Update the governance topics in the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and fill any identified gaps
- Develop new decision making procedures to take account of changes in local government from 2007 and the move to a 3-yearly cycle
- Develop more robust appraisal procedures to ensure awards are contributing to Council priorities
- Continue the development and updating of the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, with particular reference to the actions identified
- Develop and implement improved procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of voluntary sector contracts
For a copy of the Report and further information regarding the Action Plan please see Fife Council's website for the Report and Action Plan
Voluntary Sector Children's Forum
The next meeting of the Voluntary Sector Children's Forum will be on the 28th June 2006. This meeting will have a presentation from Amber Higgins of Penumbra regarding developments in Child & Adolescent Mental Health services in Fife. The meeting will also discuss the Forums representation across the Children's Services Structure.
If you have not already booked your place please email Douglas McLellan (douglas.mclellan@cvsfife.org) to do so.
Fife's People's Panel
People Power is coming to Fife. Fife's community planning partners are recruiting for the Kingdom's first People's Panel - a group of 3000 Fife residents who are interested in making their views count. The community planning partners need to gather people's views for lots of different reasons and this is a real opportunity for people to have their say. The panel will be a cross-section of the community to make sure we get a fair representation of views.
Q. What is a People's Panel?
It's a group of people that will be used by members of the Fife Partnership to consult with on a variety of public issues. We will have 3000 members who will reflect the Fife Adult (over 16) Population in terms of age, gender, working status and geographical location.
Q. Why do we need the People's Panel?
Gathering information can be expensive and time-consuming when it is carried out by all the members of the Partnership. There can also be a duplication of effort, with the same questions being asked by several agencies, and response rates can be disappointing. Using a People's Panel for co-ordinated consultation exercises can overcome many of these issues.
Q. If I join the People's Panel, what will I have to do?
It's really up to you! You will receive postal questionnaires around four times a year, and you might also be asked to participate in telephone surveys, focus groups, or online surveys.
Q. Will it cost me anything to participate?
No, although you will not receive payment for participation in Panel activities, you will be reimbursed for any travel expenses if you attend focus groups or forums.
Q. How long will I have to stay a member of the Panel?
Again, it's up to you - members will usually stay on the Panel for two years, but you can opt out at any time.
Q. Will the People's Panel be the only method of public consultation?
No, it will not replace other forms of public consultation. A People's Panel is not always the best way to gather views on specific issues, but it is a good way of gaining community views.
Q. How do I join the People's Panel?
Application forms can be filled in online at Fife Direct or can be picked up from your Local Service Centre, Library, Community Centre, Health Centre or Police Station. Alternatively, contact the People's Panel Co-ordinator (Betsy Wojcik) on 08451 55 55 51 or e-mail betsy.wojcik@fife.gov.uk