Community Empowerment Fund

 

STEERING GROUP

 

Notes of a meeting held on Thursday 28th February 2002 in Sefton House, Public Hall Street, Runcorn starting at 6pm.

 

Present:

Hazel Catt, HVA; Chris Heesom, CU Forum; Nora Rimmer, Runcorn Residents Fed and Bill Edwards, Four Estates Ltd

 

Apologies:

Andy Guile, YMCA; Liz Hindley, HILT and Alan Gough

 

1.               Minutes of the last meeting

These were agreed.

 

2.               Matters Arising

Everything is on the agenda.

 

3.               Action Plan Update

a.                Community Network

Alan has been spending time building links with other networks and community groups and statutory agencies.  He suggests forming support/focus groups at neighbourhood level to support community empowerment locally.  Also there should be a Consultative Panel established to involve the more organised organisations (usually those that have paid staff) to ensure they have an opportunity to get involved appropriately without over-shadowing the community sector and the unfunded voluntary sector.  This would need additional Development Workers.  He suggested 2 new posts which could be skill specific (training & development worker and an outreach worker) or area specific (Runcorn and Widnes).  It was agreed that a meeting should be called with HBC Community Development Team Managers and local RSL Development Workers to see whether this would be duplication.  It was agreed that we should include resources for Capacity Building, which would be sufficient to employ further staff is necessary or which could be used more imaginatively if not.  Nora will contact Alan to discuss this further.

 

b.                Community Empowerment Centre

Hazel explained that the refurbishment was going well although there had been some concern expressed by Ben McCall about the level of work being carried out.  He wanted a greater spend – Hazel has explained to him that a surveyor has already told HVA that the building is exhausted and would need  to be virtually rebuilt to gain any real benefit.  The Community Radio will start on 16th March so the building must be ready for then.

 

          c.      Community Audit

                   The letter from David Lawson saying we can roll over spend into next year means that we can take our time and do the work properly.  It was agreed that we should commission the work one Area Panel area at a time to make the task more manageable and will avoid the need to put the work out to tender (David Lawson’s other letter).  Training will be given to 1 or 2 representatives from the community groups who are carrying out the interviews and they will train everyone else involved as it was recognised that trying to get a date when everyone would be available would be difficult.

 

d.         Elections

Again the rollover will allow us to plan the elections properly and to ensure everyone is fully informed about the role & purpose of the LSP and SRB Management Board before being asked to nominate people to be elected as the representatives.

 

e.         PR & Communications Strategy

Sauren has almost completed the feasibility study.  He has made a good link with a similar project in Liverpool called SNIP – they have given us all their policies and working documents.  This will save us a considerable amount of development time.

 

4.               Action Plan 2003

This has to be submitted tomorrow to David Lawson by Email.  The existing items would be rolled forward.  Additional items will include:

·        Capacity Building – a range of activities to ensure the voluntary & community sector are empowered to engage fully with the LSP.

·        Attendance Allowances & Expenses for representatives.

·        European fund levy – it was agreed that the CEF money should be used to support voluntary and community groups who could not afford to pay the 1% levy for technical assistance in Halton.

·        Fundraising support – contribution towards the costs of a Fundraiser, employed by HVA, who would research funding options and assist groups to make applications (max £10,000 pa).

·        Running costs for the Community Empowerment Centre in Widnes.

·        Any further ideas should be emailed to Hazel first thing in the morning.

 

5.               Conference Update

The paperwork about the conference has been circulated.  HBC Community Development staff will be helping to facilitate the day.  The final programme has still to be developed and sent out with a booking form.  Hazel will circulate copies of the draft Community Strategy to members of the steering group.  Alan suggested that we establish a Voluntary & Community Partnership which will undertake to ensure that the work required to fulfil our role as commissioners of service will be carried out effectively.  He feels this is necessary to avoid the work of the Network being dominated by funding issues.  This will be put forward at the Conference for approval.  It was agreed that this group should remain a Steering Group.

 

6.               Community Chest Update

Over 100 packs have been sent out.  Much of Alan and Hazel’s time has been spent helping people to complete their applications.  Only 10 Community Champions packs have been sent out.

 

7.               AOB

None.

 

8.               Date, time & Venue for the next meeting

To be arranged by Alan.