Please note that the CVS offices will be closed 30 & 31 August for the Bank Holiday.
If you currently receive funding from NYCC it is essential that you read this e mail and the information and briefing note attached.
We are circulating the information to our full mailing list as we believe it is important that all local VCS colleagues/organisations are aware of these developments
[Information circulated by Harrogate and Area and Ripon CVS's and provided by NYCC via the North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations]
At a meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Group on 22nd June, voluntary sector local support and development organisations (LSDOs*) were informed by Seamus Breen, Assistant Director Commissioning and Partnership, that Adult and Community Services (ACS) intend to cut £300,000 from existing voluntary sector funding agreements in the current, 2010/11 financial year. This was explained as a result of substantial reductions in this year's Government funding to the County Council. They expect that further cuts will be necessary in future years. The LSDOs agreed to help pass on the information to voluntary and community sector organisations.
What ACS are doing:
The briefing below (and attached download) from Seamus Breen provides background information on overall budget cuts and some information about how ACS will decide on how the voluntary sector cuts will be distributed. In brief:
1. They are inviting organisations to suggest how savings could be made. This could be from individual funding, or from 'efficiencies' achieved through collaborative working between organisations. You are asked to feed any proposals for savings back to ACS through your local support and development organisation (LSDO).
2. ACS will also look themselves at options for reducing voluntary sector funding, taking into account:
a. ACS priorities and the most critical needs of adults in the community
b. The amount of funding that organisations receive and their potential capacity to 'deliver efficiencies'
c. Areas of service which are regarded as 'desirable' rather than 'essential' in the light of Government funding cuts
d. The risk that some service provision may cost more in the medium term if cuts are made now.
They will explore this during July, and then provide further information to the sector.
What NYFVO and LSDOs* are doing:
· We are acting as an information channel between ACS and voluntary sector organisations.
· Providing an information page on the NYFVO website.
· We will send out further information as it becomes available.
· We will support voluntary sector organisations that are or may be affected by cuts, through our information and advice services and through bringing organisations together to consider collective responses.
What you can do:
If you receive ACS funding please get in touch with NYFVO and copy in your LSDO - email alex.etchells@nyfvo.org.uk and fundingcuts@harrogatecvs.org.uk (for any organisation across the Harrogate District). This will enable us to send on further information to you as quickly as possible and to co-ordinate a collective view from the sector to feedback to ACS.
Please tell us:
· Organisation; contact name; email address; phone number.
· What services you are funded to provide, in what areas.
And, if possible:
· Whether any savings in your current funding are possible.
· Whether you would consider collaborative working to achieve savings.
· What effect cuts in your funding would have on your service users.
· Whether you can think of savings that could be possible in ACS-delivered services, if delivery was transferred to the voluntary sector.
Any information you provide will be shared between NYFVO and LSDOs to enable us to have an overview of the situation, but will not be shared with anyone else without your consent.
*Local Support and Development Organisations (LSDOs) were previously known as 'local infrastructure organisations'. In the Harrogate District they are: Harrogate and Area CVS www.harrogate.org and Ripon CVS www.riponcvs.co.uk.
A full list of these and the areas they cover can be found on the 'Find Local Support' page of NYFVO's website.
Kate Tayler, Chief Executive
North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations
Tel 01347 825710 Mobile 07738 456782
Email: kate.tayler@nyfvo.org.uk
Website: www.nyfvo.org.uk
Charity number 518117
***************************************************************************
From: Seamus Breen, Assistant Director - Commissioning and Partnership, NYCC
Date: 1st July 2010
Subject: Reduction in Public Expenditure and its effects VOL Sec supporting Adult Services
Following ACS Executive Meeting this am Cllr. Chris Metcalfe, ACS Portfolio Holder and Derek Law, Corporate Director, authorised the downloadable briefing to go out to North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations (NYFVO) and the Local Infrastructure Organisations (LIOs) as representatives who come to our liaison meetings with the Voluntary Sector. They, as infrastructure organisations, in turn agreed at our last joint meeting to use their various bulletins and communications to bring the briefing to the attention of the front line voluntary organisation services they support.
We are encouraging the sector to contribute proposals for reductions in costs this year. Should these proposals be insufficient to meet the required targets then a decision making framework for delivering reductions in costs is outlined in the attached document.
We cannot at this stage say for certain what the effects will be next year and the year after and must together await the Comprehensive Spending Review in the Autumn.
While regretting the need to consider reductions in Voluntary Sector budgets within this financial year the ACS Directorate, in reconfiguring and transforming how it delivers its own services, see the possibility of new opportunities for service delivery being made available to third sector.
Reduction in Public Expenditure: downloadable briefing from NYCC & ACS
Seamus Breen
Assistant Director - Commissioning and Partnership,
Rm 255 County Hall, Northallerton, DL7 8DD
Land Line: 01609 533622
seamus.breen@northyorks.gov.uk
Support - Tina Handley
Tel: 01609 532535
tina.handley@northyorks.gov.uk
Access your county council services online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.northyorks.gov.uk
North Yorkshire County Council.
Vetting & Barring - July registration halted as VBS is remodelled
The Home Secretary, Theresa May, has today (15th June 2010) issued a statement to the House of Commons which confirms the stated intention of the coalition Government to review the Vetting & Barring and criminal records regimes to ensure that they are scaled back to common sense levels.
The Written Ministerial Statement reads: Tuesday, 15 June 2010
HOME OFFICE
Vetting and Barring Scheme
Secretary of State for the Home Department (Theresa May):
I am announcing today that the commencement of voluntary registration with the new Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which was due to begin on 26 July, will be brought to a halt as of today.
The Government has made clear its intention to bring the criminal records and Vetting and Barring regimes back to common sense levels. Until this remodelling has taken place, we have decided to maintain those aspects of the new Scheme which are already in place, but not to introduce further elements.
The safety of children and vulnerable adults is of paramount importance to the new government. We will therefore maintain the current arrangements under which the Independent Safeguarding Authority is able to bar from "regulated activities" those considered unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults, and appropriate cases must be referred to them. Criminal records checks will also remain available for those eligible to receive them, and will continue to be required for certain posts where regulations are already in place.
However it is vital that we take a measured approach in these matters. Vulnerable groups must be properly protected in a way that is proportionate and sensible. The remodelling of the VBS will ensure this happens.
The terms of reference for the remodelling of the VBS and of the criminal records regime are currently being considered and a further announcement will be made in due course.
Keep up to date
All customers are advised to check the CRB / AccessNI websites (www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk or www.accessni.gov.uk ) for the latest information on the disclosure process. Alternatively, you can contact the CRB Customer Services team on 0870 90 90 811
The latest guidance about the other aspects of the scheme is available via www.direct.gov.uk or www.nidirect.gov.uk/vetting or www.businesslink.gov.uk . The VBS contact centre can also provide you with guidance if you call them on 0300 123 1111 (this is a lo-call number and will only cost you the same as making a local call).
Over 66,000 employers, charities and voluntary groups have registered an interest in being updated on the Vetting & Barring Scheme, and this newsletter is being circulated as an update to those individuals and organisations. If you know of anyone else who would like to be kept updated, please forward this to them and ask that they complete their details on the ISA website to receive information directly in the future.
Harrogate District Friends of the Earth has launched a new campaign 'Improving Harrogate District's Recycling which aims to gain public support for both Harrogate Borough Council and NYCC to make substantial improvements to local recycling.
It is widely recognised that Harrogate District has a poor recycling performance, both against national and regional standards - we are currently ranked 333rd out of the 394 councils in England. While both councils are making some progress in improving recycling, we feel that there is a lack of political will amongst local councillors to make significant improvements unless the public show their support.
In discussions with the councils, we have identified a number of key changes that are required if we are going to take recycling seriously. These changes are outlined on our website www.harrogatefoe.org.uk and have been proven nationally to be successful. To convey to the councils the public's support for change, we have established an online petition of support for the necessary improvements (see our website).
I am writing to ask for your help in publicising this campaign and to encourage your members/staff (who live locally) to sign our petition to support the councils to improve local recycling. I am also writing to ask if you include something about this in your next newsletter.
If you need any further information do not hesitate to contact us by emailing harrogatefoe@gmail.com
Let's become proud of Harrogate District's recycling!
New Social /Support Group for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) people of all ages in the Harrogate District
Yorkshire MESMAC are interested in hearing any suggestions to help create a group that is enthusiastic and keen to develop activities.
To find out more or if you have any thoughts or suggestions, please contact Pete Blackburn, Community Development Worker, Yorkshire MESMAC on Tel: 01904 620400 or Email: p.blackburn@mesmac.co.uk
The NHS North Yorkshire & York new 5 year strategic plan 'Healthier Lives' 2010-2015 is now available via http://www.northyorkshireandyork.nhs.uk/AboutUs/StrategicPlan/index.htm
There is an interactive version of the plan available to download which allows you to navigate through the different sections, paying particular attention to the goals and strategic initiatives.
Harrogate District Safer Communities Partnership: for further information about this partnership please go to their website
NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) data collection on £6bn cuts
Following the £6 billion cuts package announced by the government on Monday NCVO wants your help to assess the impact of these cuts on the voluntary and community sector.
To do this NCVO wants to "crowdsource" data on cuts - and needs your help. They'd like voluntary and community organisations to share their experience of cuts over the next year.
So if you've been told that your statutory funding will be cut, enter your details on the survey form at this link.
<http://tinyurl.com/3yowp4v>
This exercise isn't just about NCVO gathering intelligence on the scale of the challenges this year - they want this vital data to be available to everyone. That's why they're sharing a spreadsheet with all the results - if you don't want your data to be shared but want to tell NCVO about cuts anonymously then you can also email your thoughts to <mailto:HYPERLINK "mailto:almanac%40ncvo-vol.org.uk"almanac@ncvo-vol.org.uk.>
More details at http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/cuts
Age Concern has now merged with Help the Aged nationally and the new organisation is called AGE UK.
Age UK in Ripon is now providing a general information service for older people in the Library every Thursday between 10.00am and 2.00pm. Sue Mills will be available to offer information and advice on a wide range of issues and is also available in the office at Community House, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon every Friday from 10.00am - 2.00pm. Telephone 01765 606872.
'Quids for Kids' Toolkit provides practical advice about how to get benefits to the people who need them. Visit http://www.childpovertytoolkit.org.uk/Quids-for-Kids.
Essential Needs is a charity which helps people on low incomes and is looking for unwanted fridges, freezers and washing machines. Secondhand furniture charity Essential Needs is feeling the pinch as new government directives see such goods recycled. To donate call 01423 870040 or visit www.essentialneeds.org.uk.
CREDIT UNIONS - The Financial Services Authority has now approved the expansion of the Credit Union's Common Bond to include North Yorkshire.
Anyone living or working in North Yorkshire or York will be able to join the Credit Union. The proposed launch date is 16 May 2009. The latest Newsletter about the Project is attached and includes volunteer opportunities. Further launch details will be included in the next issue later in the month. For more information contact Nicholas Marshall, Project Development Manager on 01904 676664 or email - project@ycu.org.uk
RADAR KEYS - If you are disabled or are the carer for a disabled person, on completion of a signed declaration, you can purchase a key for £3 which will enable you to use some 4,000 accessible toilets throughout the UK. Contact Jill Lawson, Ripon CVS on 01765 603631 or call in to Community House, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon.
Rural Arts - Exhibitions, Arts, Performances & Training. For information about what's on in your area visit www.ruralarts.org or telephone the office in Thirsk on 01845 526536.
NIDDERDALE AONB - If you enjoy nature walks, Nidderdale AONB have a selection to suit all ages and abilities. For further details telephone 01423 712950 or visit www.nidderdaleaonb.org.UK/nidderdale-287.
VCS Directory - Do you need to find out what community groups are in your area? Do you want information about a particular organisation? Log on to the new VCS Directory, an A - Z of voluntary and community organisations supporting individuals and running activities throughout York and North Yorkshire.
The place to find local help, advice and support - www.vcsdirectory.org.uk
North Yorkshire Welcome Pack - The North Yorkshire Welcome Pack is a new web-based service information guide for those who are new to the area, both for UK residents and new arrivals into the country. The pack has been developed and sponsored by the North Yorkshire Strategic Partnership (NYSP) Equalities Task Group.
The guide is split into two sections, national and District information. It contains details of national and local services for example, leisure and training opportunities, how to register for work, a doctor, a bank, details on transport as well as more general information on advice services and community groups.
Information is currently available in English, Polish, Czech, Latvian and Lithuanian- the most frequently spoken languages within the county, with another 16 languages to follow soon.
The information can be accessed on-line and will be updated monthly to ensure contact details are up to-date. I will be the contact for any changes or additions. Please note that these have to be paid for due to the translation costs so need to be kept to a minimum.
Partners are encouraged to promote the pack to front-line staff to ensure that all members of the public who would benefit from the guide have access to it. If you have any ideas as to how this could be marketed further or any material required to do so please let me know so that I can feed this back to the group. Where possible could I ask that partners ensure links are made to the site from the home websites.
The Welcome Pack can be found at: www.nysp.org.uk/welcomepack
For any other information on the pack or the work of the NYSP please contact:
Ann Byrne
Corporate Partnership Development Officer
Department of Corporate Policy and Improvement
Harrogate Borough Council
Council Offices, Crescent Gardens
Harrogate, HG1 2SG
Tel: (01423) 556067
Fax: (01423) 556180
e-mail: ann.byrne@harrogate.gov.uk
Are you looking for an NHS Dentist? Register your details on the NHS Dental Waiting List - www.nyypct.nhs.uk
-
The Primary Care Trust is working with dentists to increase NHS dental places in the North Yorkshire & York PCT area
-
Please contact the Dental Waiting list and leave your name, address, postcode, date of birth and contact number
-
Your contact details will be collated and you will be informed by the dental practice when an NHS dental place is available
Alternatively write to NHS Dental Waiting List, FREEPOST, NEA 13107, YORK, YO31 7ZX. Telephone 01904 724107 or email nyy-pct.DentalRegistration@nhs.net.