Help for small voluntary organisations
A new resource is available for smaller third sector organisations. If you need help with budgeting, reconciling to the bank, financial controls, or if you need annual accounts or payroll services, you might find it useful to visit the website of the community accountancy national network.
At www.communityaccounting.org you can find details of your local service as well as advice and information on a range of topics relating to financial management. The site also serves as a resource for those providing community accountancy services themselves.
National Survey of Third Sector Organisations
The Office of the Third Sector has recently announced that the forthcoming National Survey of Third Sector Organisations will be based on data provided by BMG Research and GuideStar UK. In September 2008, thousands of TSOs will receive this crucial survey which will be conducted by research specialists Ipsos MORI. For the first time, all local authorities are to be judged on their performance in creating an environment for a thriving third sector. To measure this performance, the government is commissioning the largest ever survey of the third sector.
Results from the survey will be available early in the new year and will drive change locally and nationally by revealing performance against a key local government performance target (National Indicator 7). It will also provide valuable evidence on the performance of local partnerships, funding relationships, opportunities to campaign and influence and other issues facing the sector at a local level.
The survey will be sent to 97,000 organisations, drawn from data provided by a consortium of BMG Research and GuideStar, who will also provide key information to enable the results of the survey to be fully analysed and understood. To find out more about the National Indicator 7, please click here.
Oxford Healthy Living Partnership
Learn about health and brush up on skills like reading, writing and maths at the same time! The Oxford Healthy Living Partnership is looking for groups who would like to try a new Skilled for Health course. It is really flexible – your group can pick from a wide range of subjects, from healthy eating and exercise to better communication with your GP. They are looking for groups based in Oxford. Please contact Zoe Millington on 01865 467327 or zmillington@oxford.gov.uk to discuss courses starting in September 2008 and Spring 2009.
Draft Cherwell Rural Strategy - Consultation
Cherwell District Council is inviting comments on the draft Cherwell Rural Strategy 2009-2014. Consultation results will be incorporated into a second draft of the strategy, which will be accompanied by a detailed action plan. To make observations on the issues and aims identified in the draft strategy visit www.cherwell.gov.uk/rural. The consultation period lasts until 30 September 2008.
Election of voluntary sector representatives - call for nominations
- Do you want an opportunity to get involved at a strategic level in decisions that affect the way that Oxfordshire meets the challenges of the next twenty years or more for the people who live and work in the county?
- Do you want an opportunity to ensure that the voice of the voluntary and community sector is heard at the table?
Now is your chance to get involved!
There are places now available for voluntary sector representatives on both the Oxfordshire Partnership and the Voluntary Sector Panel for the Children's Trust. Visit the Partnership page of Oxnet for full details.
Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet reshuffle creates exciting new role for local communities
Oxfordshire County Council has announced the creation of a new position in the authority's cabinet, following the resignation of recently elected Henley MP John Howell. Cllr Melinda Tilley will take up a brand new post as Cabinet Member for Place, believed to be the first such position ever created in a council anywhere in the country.
The new post will include responsibility for:
- Developing stronger partnerships with voluntary, community and faith organisations as well as parish, town and district councils and other key partners;
- Looking at the needs of individual communities within Oxfordshire across and beyond our own departmental boundaries to ensure that we are providing services efficiently and in a joined-up manner;
- Improving community cohesion;
- Addressing issues of equality and social inclusion.
Cllr Melinda Tilley is the County Councillor for Kingston Bagpuize and a member of the Vale of White Horse District Council, where she is leader of the Conservative group. Melinda is looking forward to meeting with members of the voluntary, community and faith sectors as she develops her new cabinet role.
Small grants for events
Goldstar is calling for applications to hold good practice events in your community. The aim should be to promote and develop good practice for organisations working with volunteers from one or more of these target groups:
• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, who are underrepresented in volunteering
• Disabled people and/or people with limiting long term illness
• People with no qualifications.
Successful organisations will get a small grant of £100 to £3,000 plus marketing materials such as loan of stands and free copies of publications, brochures and merchandise, and listing on their website and Newsletter.
The closing date for the first wave of applications is 12pm on 29 August 2008. For more information and to download the application form visit: www.goldstar.org.uk
Oxfordshire 2030 Consultation
The Oxfordshire Partnership is developing a Sustainable Community Strategy for Oxfordshire. The Partnership welcomes your reactions, comments and ideas on the draft strategy and delivery plan.
Background
In 2007 a series of workshops were held to look at trends and issues affecting the county over the next twenty years. These issues have been prioritised in the draft strategy, 'Oxfordshire 2030'.
Main strategic objectives:
- A World Class Economy
- Healthy and thriving communities
- Environment and climate change
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Reducing inequalities and breaking the cycle of deprivation.
The Oxfordshire Partnership is particularly interested in:
- What you consider are the most important issues?
- Whether there are any other priorities you think are missing?
- How you/your organisation can contribute to delivering the strategy?
- Are the measures identified in the delivery plan the right ones?
How to take part
Read the draft strategy and give your comments at:
www.oxfordshirepartnership.org.uk/oxfordshire2030
Please note the closing date for comments is 22 September 2008.
To get in touch with the Partnership team email:
The Oxfordshire Partnership will publicise the outcome of the consultation in October.
You should also be aware that during this time the South and West Oxfordshire Partnerships are also consulting on their Sustainable Community Strategies for the future of each district. If you have any comments specific to South or West Oxfordshire these will be picked up in the districts' strategies.
For further details of the South strategy contact Emma Morris on 01491 823612 or visit www.southoxon.gov.uk/yourplaceyourfuture
For further details of the West strategy contact Ben Threadgold on 01993 861560 or visit http://www.westoxon.gov.uk/scs
CeeMac are running a series of Learning & Skills Council funded programmes in the local area, aimed specifically at third sector organisations. Programmes include:
- Information, advice and guidance skills for the third sector
- Management committee development
- Third sector administrator development
All programmes include a series of workshops to develop skills relevant to work in the sector.
These programmes are free of charge. Candidates have the opportunity to achieve recognised qualifications, accredited by the Institute for Leadership & Management and City & Guilds.
Both paid staff and volunteers are eligible. For more details call 01604 772054, email libbyp@cee-mac.com or visit: www.cee-mac.com
Abingdon Abingdon Library
Banbury WRVS, Cornhill Centre
Bicester Oxfordshire Mind, The Causeway Centre
Chipping Norton ACE Children's Centre
Didcot South Didcot Children's Centre
Faringdon Faringdon Area Project
Wantage Wantage Independent Advice Centre
Witney West Oxfordshire CAB
