A Celebration of Working Together.

As in previous years, the event was very well attended with nearly 100 present and 50 voluntary and community organisations and groups having their display stands around the hall. The event was opportunity for networking and promotion of each organisation.

The speakers for the day included Cllr Leigh Hunt, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Inclusive Communities at Rugby Borough Council, Paul Tolley, Chief Executive of WCAVA, Andrew Gabbitas, Deputy Chief Executive for Rugby Borough Council and Oliver Reichardt, Head of the Compact Team and Compact Voice.  The Big Society was one of the main topics for the day, as well as spending cuts to local authorities and how applying Compact principles can help in these financially difficult times. 

Also on the agenda, was the presentation of Volunteer Awards to nominated volunteers, in the categories of Long Service Volunteer, Young Volunteer, Community Volunteer and Volunteer Group.

Paul Tolley, Chief Executive said “Rugby has a strong history of implementing Compact principles to achieve real partnership working on the ground – the current climate is very challenging but we have both resilient partnerships and sector organisations/groups locally”.

The day culminated in lunch and networking with new introductions made and partnerships begun.

Voluntary Action North Forum

60 people attended the event, which began a showcase of the work achieved by voluntary and community groups in North Warwickshire.  There were over 20 displays in the hall from a diverse collection of groups, ranging from larger groups like Friendship, Care and Housing, to small groups like Baddesley Colliery Bowling club.  This was excellent support for the forum from groups and showed just how vibrant and important the voluntary sector is to community life in North Warwickshire.

Welcome and Intro

The event began with a welcome from Davina Key, Locality Manager of the North Warwickshire Office of Warwickshire Community And Voluntary Action.  Rod Parker then introduced Nick Darwin, the Manager for Civil Society at WCC, to give his presentation.  Following Nick’s presentation, Jim Graham, WCC Chief Executive, was invited to speak.   He gave an excellent overview of the current situation facing the county in terms of cuts and the challenges presented by the Big Society Agenda.  Jim Graham said that there were extensive changes taking place in how the County Council would be delivering services in the future and these would have to take into account proposed cuts.  Instead of the Council providing services, there would be greater emphasis on money being directed straight to individuals and local communities to provide these services for themselves, shifting the focus to how we best deliver outcomes.

Question Time

A question about the personalisation programme was answered by the panel agreeing that giving money directly to people should enable them to design services that best meet their needs.

The question of funding for WCAVA was raised as groups would probably need increased support if communities were going to take on more service delivery.  The Borough Council representatives pointed out that budgets for spending by the Borough Council had not yet been fixed but felt that local access to services were important.  Paul Tolley from WCAVA said that rationalising support by forming WCAVA meant a better level of support and there would be a continued commitment to keep local offices open. 

A number of groups raised the question of lack of support for the arts, which were important to local communities.  The panel, while accepting this comment, did point out that budget cuts to Councils of ¼ meant they had to protect the most vulnerable in society.  Art would not be funded for art’s sake but would have to look at how it might deliver against other priorities, for instance, by working with other groups to increase health and wellbeing thereby avoid some spending on health and social services.

The general point was made from the audience that it was already difficult to attract volunteers and that some of this agenda would not be possible unless this could be changed.

A question was asked about the Councils targeting the voluntary sector with cuts.  The panel agreed that this had happened in other areas but the sector was not being targeted in our area.  Things already taking place like Credit Unions, the CAB and Community Centres were the Big Society and support form WCAVA and the Local Authorities would continue. 

Information Share

The question time session was followed by an information share where groups in the audience can let each other know about events they have planned or information they wish to pass on.  This is becoming a useful way for groups to network and learn from each other.

Most of those attending stayed for lunch and took the opportunity to look around the displays. 

Rod and Davina would like to thank the panel members for answering questions so well, Nick Darwin, for his presentation, Jim Graham for his contribution and the support from the Area Team and all WCAVA staff who helped set up the event and make it a success.

Voluntary sector will be key to Big Society says MP

Voluntary and community organisations will play an increasingly important role as the Big Society picks up momentum, Stratford MP Nadhim Zahawi said this week at one of the biggest events for the sector ever held locally.

More than 100 people attended the conference organised by Voluntary Action Stratford-on-Avon District (VASA) to discuss the Big Society and its implications for people in the District.

Mr Zahawi said that ministers were determined to bring about a fundamental shift from Big Government to Big Society at every level in order to create more vibrant and sustainable local communities.

Praising the existing work of voluntary and community organisations – singling out VASA and the Citizens Advice Bureau in particular – he said they would be at the heart of the government’s revolution.

Councillor Stephen Gray, Leader of Stratford District Council, also stressed the importance of a strong voluntary and community sector – mentioning VASA’s volunteer transport scheme and Community Links as two vital services.

Others speakers were Nick Darwen from the County Council, Chris Grimes from the Blockley Village Shop and Priscilla Groenveld of the Parenting Project.

Julia Phillips, Chief Executive of VASA, said: “The large attendance confirms that local organisations want to know more about the Big Society and how they can get involved.”