E-Bulletin

Welcome to the second e-bulletin from CVS North Wiltshire, we hope you found the last bulletin interesting; we welcome any feedback. To view this e-bulletin online click here.

Home James Taxis are looking to give funding to 12 Chippenham based community groups. The total funding will be £82,500 over ten years. They held an open meeting last week and we have been supplied with the information you need to apply for funding, click here for the details.

The 4th April sees the launch of the increased upper and lower limits for Awards for All England. From the 4th April, groups can apply for as little as £300 to as much as £10,000.

The Awards for All scheme aims to provide funding to small, local organisations to encourage people to take part in community activities. The scheme has also updated its regional focus with outcomes specific to your area, you can view these on the new Awards for All website, which has a new look and updated content. You can also download an application to apply for the increased amounts. A link to the website is included in this alert together with a link to the press release which has been issued today.

If you would like more information on the scheme or require some advice on your project, please contact the advice line on 0845 600 20 40 or visit the Awards for All website.

Community Grants from North Wiltshire District Council

The Council's Area Committees invite local community and voluntary groups, and Town and Parish Councils to apply for funding towards community projects.

In 2006/07 the majority of the funding available will be directed towards projects and priorities identified in the Community Area Plans. Visit www.northwilts.gov.uk/communitygrants for more information on the criteria and how to apply.

Annual Report Time?

As a Charity you must maintain accounting records and prepare accounts once a year to your designated accounting year-end date. Charities must also produce an Annual Report; therefore it is good practice to produce one document covering both the Annual Accounts & Annual Report. CVSNW can supply you with a fact sheet outlining the requirements for Annual Reports in accordance with SORP 2005.

We can also provide fact sheets and sample policies and procedures on a range of topics, including: *Recruitment & Employment * Staff Supervision & Appraisal* Complaints * Grievance* Equal Opportunities* Health & Safety *Role of the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

Pathways For Change - Start of the Consultation Period

On the 7^th April Kennet and North Wiltshire and West Wiltshire Primary Care Trusts launched a public consultation on the future of health services for this area of Wiltshire with an event for those who had been part of the process of gathering ideas for the proposals. Click here for the consultation newsletter and links to the website.

'Out of the Blue' Fundraising Concert - With Working For Opportunities

Don't we all work too hard? Is it time to let your hair down? Let's have a decent party. "Out of the Blue" is a brilliant local band and Working for Opportunities have signed them up for Saturday, 22nd of April. Come and join us and don't forget your friends and family.

You will find further details on the flyer (click here) and you can book your £5 ticket through our office. We are looking forward to see many familiar faces and having a fabulous night out. Let's shake, rattle and roll.

Cash hoax email sparks alert

ActionAid UK today issued a warning over a hoax email which tells people the charity has awarded them £850,000 to help social and business development in their community. The alert came after Leicester-based Barbara Jacobs, a writer and journalist, told ActionAid that she had received two emails as "one of the final recipients of a cash grant/donation". They urged her to contact the ActionAid UK 'secretary. Visit the website for more information.

New Big Lottery Fund Programmes
- Basis (voluntary and community infrastructure programme) http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/programmes/basis
- Children's Play http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/programmes/childrensplay/childrens_play.htm

Fire Safety Law

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has announced that the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order will be delayed by six months and will now come into force on 1 October instead of the original 1 April date. Click here to find out what your responsibilities are: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162101

Criminal Record Bureau

CRB fees will go up from 6th April to £31 for Standard Disclosures and £36 for Enhanced Disclosures. There is no charge for volunteers. See http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=281

The Future Configuration of the NHS in Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire

Consultation Update - The decision made is that the three SHAs in the South West will be merged into one, with the number of SHAs across the country being reduced from 28 to 10. Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA will merge with Dorset and Somerset and the South West Peninsula SHAs. Click here to view the Reconfiguration Newsletter Issue 10.

Contacts Database Conference...in Derbyshire

The cost of developing or acquiring a database system can be significant and daunting. This seminar will be practical, but not technical. Click here to view the flyer.

Wiltshire Community Web

The North Wiltshire site can be found at www.northwilts-communityweb.com visit to create yourself/your group a free website.

Free Learning Opportunity with the CWLN (Children's Workforce Learning Network)

In March the CWLN, in partnership with the Open University, offered a series of free ‘Openings’ course placements. Due to the popularity of the March run, we are offering them again for a June start. There are no entry requirements – the courses are designed for people who have not studied before or who may have studied some time ago. Participants will receive support from an Open University tutor, and the packs include a text book, course guide, CD and a DVD.

‘Understanding Children’ will be particularly useful for parents, volunteers, sessional workers in Sure Starts, Children’s Centres, playworkers, crèche workers and staff in Children’s Fund supported projects.

‘Understanding Management’ will be useful to those wishing to learn about or improve their organisation skills, be they volunteers, committee members, co-ordinators, trustees or similar.

These courses would normally cost £85 but we are able to offer them FREE OF CHARGE!! We do not expect to be able to offer these courses free again, due to price increases this Autumn. Click here for more details

Voluntary Sector Forum

The next meeting of the North Wiltshire Voluntary Sector Forum takes place on Tuesday 9th May at Corsham Community Centre, 12noon - 2pm. Buffet lunch provided. Click here for more information about the forum.

Mainstreaming Mental Health Consultation

Creating effective and sustainable mental health services for Kennet, North and West Wiltshire. Click here for the consultation document. The deadline is Friday 7th July.

Job Opportunities in the Voluntary Sector

There are some new opportunities on our website - click here to view the page.

Statement of Community Involvement

The Statement of Community Involvement is available for public consultation until the 12th May. Go the the website to view more information and to download the latest newsletter (No.4) from the Spatial Planning Team http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/index/env/planning/localplans/ldf/sci.htm

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Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of content, CVSNW cannot be held responsible for any errors which may occur. Opinions voiced in the e-bulletin are not necessarily those of CVSNW.