23 January 2012 – 2:20 pm
So the Government have launched another consultation, this time about whether to introduce a register of lobbyists. There is currently no regulation in the UK around lobbying the Government and the proposed register would require an individual or organisation to be registered before their lobby will be considered by Government. Having spent 2 1/2 years on a [...]
16 December 2011 – 11:31 am
Just got back from the flash mob organised by The Cyreneans. The aim was to highlight the fact that people are homeless all of the year round and not just at Christmas time. I was pleased to be joined by my two kids, who I think now appreciate how freezing cold and miserable you get [...]
6 December 2011 – 11:24 am
This last week I have been “Caring for our Future” the (now closing) Department of Health engagement around the future of adult social care across England. What has mostly struck me is the difference between the aspirations set out in the policy papers and the reality, on the ground, as experienced by provider organisations and [...]
24 November 2011 – 10:41 am
Today is my last full day in the office and therefore my last blog. Although you may hear from me on here again on the 1st December should we be successful with our recent funding bid. Announcements are being made early next week so watch this space. So I just want to take this opportunity [...]
17 November 2011 – 4:53 pm
As part of the project wind down I have just had a purge of my contact lists. What a trip down memory lane that turned out to be. As you would imagine my list is explansive and dates back to the mid 2000′s so understandably, some are now obsolete. Interestingly though its not just people [...]
11 November 2011 – 11:32 am
Following on from yesterday’s blog I just wanted to promote the My Future unlimited course. This is aimed at anyone considering consultancy, freelancing or interim management and is run by New Skills Consulting. The next one is running in Newcastle on the 24th November. I found this really useful in helping me think about what [...]
10 November 2011 – 11:28 am
My current project will finish at the end of November and VONNE awaits news on a funding application for me to manage a new project. That doesn’t sound unusual or particularly newsworthy, as I know I am not alone in this predicament in the sector. However the twist is that we receive notification of success [...]
8 November 2011 – 5:14 pm
You can now follow the daily progress of the Community Organiser Programme on line. Locality , the national organisation managing the programme, has set up a website, cocollaborative.org.uk where you can learn about the host organisations and follow blogs from the organisers. The media has reported very mixed opinions of the programme which claims it [...]
4 November 2011 – 4:17 pm
Following the third reading of the bill on the 31st October another element has been amended. The reading focused on how local authorities would respond to public petitions and it was decided that part of this would be removed. Referendums will now be limited to just neighbourhood planning and council tax rises. This follows concerns [...]