Participatory Budgeting is a way of letting local people, rather than officials, decide directly how some local public expenditure is spent within their communities. The Government’s National Strategy on Participatory Budgeting makes clear that it’s as relevant for rural areas as for urban areas. The strategy highlights a new initiative to promote Participatory Budgeting in rural areas. Strategy document
Monthly Archives:
Survey seeks third sector views on the support they receive locally
The quality of support for the third sector in every local area in England is to be measured by a new survey of the sector. The Office of the Third Sector is asking third sector organisations to share their experiences. This will help give local government the information it needs to ensure an environment for a thriving third sector, and meet new performance targets. From 22 September, 104,000 charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises will receive the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations (NSTSO) questionnaire … Read more »
Feedback from the VCS Engage event at St Mellion, 18th Sept
160 people attended the Voluntary and Community Sector ‘Engage’ event at St Mellion to see the launch of a new ‘peninsula’ framework for the commissioning of services for children, young people and families. Diverse groups from Cornwall’s voluntary and community sector were present alongside colleagues from Torbay, Devon and Plymouth to see the document launched and to offer first impresssions of its ‘eight principles for good commissioning.’
It’s time for new solutions for rural transport
The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has published five studies putting the spotlight on transport challenges facing rural areas, ranging from accessibility to key services, the effects of technological change and implications of road pricing. Rural people travel around 10,000 miles each year compared with around 7,000 for all residents, and use of cars is significantly higher in rural areas.
Wanted, a good home for our (elderly) IT suite
We’ve got a complete, slightly long in the tooth, IT suite in storage at present. Its been there since the office we were renting for it started to be redeveloped for flats. We’d really like to set it in use again before it becomes obsolete. So, if you are a charity or a recognised community group in Cornwall (only), with a bit of space, we’d be happy to discuss doing a deal with you. Our idea is to gift it to a group in exchange … Read more »
Rural Development Programme (sort of) open for business
The new Rural Developement Programme for England (RDPE) is now (kind of) open for applications. You can download the forms from the South West Gateway site http://tinyurl.com/5p4b9r The main opportunity for the third sector is “support for the development of sustainable rural community and social enterprises to help improve access to services and opportunities in rural areas… Investments…will support the development of existing and new ‘community and social enterprises’ and for community projects making the transition to enterprises, which are seeking to develop and strengthen … Read more »
Chief Executive of navca visits VSF!
We were delighted to have Kevin Curley, the Chief Executive of navca, give the keynote speech at the Voluntary Sector Forum’s seminar on September 9th at Kingsley Village. In a well received address, he outlined the current threats and opportunities for the sector, as he sees them. You can obtain a transcript of what he said at navca’s website. http://www.navca.org.uk/news/cornwallvsf.htm
VCS Engage conference, 18th September
We’re attending the VCS Engage conference at St Mellion Golf Club this Thursday, 18th September. This is an event aimed at voluntary sector organisations who work with children and young people. Maybe we’ll see you there?
Welcome to Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum
Welcome to the website for the Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum. Cornwall Voluntary Sector Forum (cVSF) aims to be an umbrella organisation for all community and voluntary organisations working or based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We aspire to act as the “voice” for the membership and the wider third sector at all levels on the various bodies whose services they deliver or support. This site also allows representatives of the VCS within Cornwall to log feedback from the various public sector partnerships where the sector … Read more »
