Policy area: Uncategorised

Day two

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 [...]

The twelve days of redundancy …..

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 [...]

Organisers online

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 [...]

Less power to the people – the latest news on the Localism bill

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 [...]

Realising Dreams

The Durham Community Foundations AGM was hopeful and Inspiring. The foundation has raised £2.4 m this year with 20 new funds. Over £1m has been invested into 378 Community groups and 258 individuals. An outstanding Achievement Award was presented to a super young man- Matthew Cruddace Wynne. Matthew is a really talented ballet dancer, and [...]

Cosmopolitan people power

I was struck this weekend by what a great city Newcastle is. I ventured over to Baltic to view the Turner Prize nominees and to exercise my right to declare that “This isn’t art!” Whether it is to your taste or not though, having the opportunity to experience it outside London is great. A walk [...]

Social Enterprise, Tony Blair and the man who invented air miles – its all in a days work.

Having been away for a few weeks, I have got out of the habit of blogging , and exercising, and eating in moderation! Today was quite a day. It started with the judging panel for the Santander Social Enterprise Award which is being piloted in the North East. Prizes of £15, 000, £30,000, and £50,000 [...]

Help – I am on page 29 of the Open Public Services White Paper – It is the literary equivalent of Nitol

At the end of a long week, I promised myself that I would not leave the office before I had completed a briefing note on the Open Public Services White Paper. By page 29 out of 55 I am seriously flagging – it is extremely repetitive and rehearses a lot of old announcements. The guiding [...]

What Next for Policy Development in the NE?

Last week was such a busy week that my feet barely touched the ground and upon reflection I have to say the highlight of my week was a round table event to discuss ‘What Next for Policy Development in the North East’. We had two great speakers; Abigail Scott Paul from Jospeh Rowntree Foundation and [...]

Independence day for the sector?

A long term study  into the independence of the sector is being launched by the Panel of the Independence of the Voluntary Sector. There is a call for comments and suggestions from the sector now until 21st Sept so if you have any views about VCS delivering public services, or worries about mission drift let [...]