From April 2013 local Healthwatch replaced the Local Involvement Networks (LINks) as the "consumer voice" in health and social care. It is important that local Healthwatch learns from the experience of the LINks to ensure they become the best they can be, and to prevent "reinventing the wheel". The results of a project to capture this learning are now available
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
The Green Bullet is a monthly update provided by the North West Environment Link (NWEL) on the key issues and events affecting the environment of the North West, and the groups and people that care about it.
To receive the Green Bullet, email andyy@cpre.org.uk with the subject line "Subscribe". Please also email Andy (same email address) if you would like to suggest items or topics for discussion.
Latest issues of the NWEL Green Bullet:
In this Bulletin:
►Plastic bags charge
►Better local travel, more choice: new transport toolkit
►Latest environment publications, events and funding
In this Bulletin:
►Planning reform update
►Neighbourhood planning
►Latest environment publications and events
In this Bulletin:
►HS2 campaign
►Consultation on Marine Conservation Zones
►Upcoming environment events
In this Bulletin:
►Campaign for Better Transport publications
►Community Energy Coalition
►Upcoming environment events
In this Bulletin:
►Campaigns including the badger cull and woodlands
►Consultations on wildlife crime and the effect of insecticides on bees
►Upcoming events
In this Bulletin:
►Campaigns including breaking the bag habit and keep the green belt green
►Several consultations that you can respond to
►Guidance and publications
In this Bulletin:
►Campaigns and consultations including new sustainable development indicators
►Publications including guidance on planning for green infrastructure & biodiversity
►Latest regional events
In this Bulletin:
►Campaigns and consultations
►Publications - Natural Environment White Paper - one year on
►Local Nature Partnerships - approval for 8 North West groups!
In this Bulletin:
►3 new websites launched to help meet the sustainability challenge
►Updates on LNPs and LEPs
►Funding
In this Bulletin:
►Campaigns and consultations
►Publication - making the case for investing in the environment
►Local Nature Partnerships
In this Bulletin:
►The Green Food Project
►Local Nature Partnerships
►Sustainable Development
In this Bulletin:
► Update on National Planning Policy Framework
► Mainstreaming sustainable development across Government
► Events
This Bullet includes:
In this Bulletin:
► National Planning Policy Framework - still time to have your voice heard
► Climate Week
► Local Nature Partnerships
The latest environmental news from NWEL including a consultation on change to feed-in tariffs, a report on the government's environmental record, forthcoming events and the Natural Environment White Paper
Latest Environment news including a consultation on the environmental impact of revoking regional strategies, plus campaigning on the National Planning Policy framework, latest news on NW Local Nature Partnership bids, as well as forthcoming events and latest publications.
Latest news from NWEL about LEPs, Local Nature Partnerships, and research into the Manchester Airport Enterprise Zone.
In this Bulletin:
► National Planning Policy Framework – a sneak preview!
► Natural Environment White Paper briefings
► Local Nature Partnerships – coming to an area near you soon?
In this bulletin
In this bulletin:
►Environmental legislation is NOT red tape - act now to save it!
► Act now to save community right of appeal against bad planning decisions!
►£110m boost to England's Rivers
Included in this Bulletin
►Common's Select Committee warning on abolition of RSS
►Bleak assessment of Government's spending cuts on the region
►Knowing your environmental limits
In this bulletin
►Our Big Society & Environment Conference Report - on its way to Ministers.
►Planning Reforms - two excellent briefings
►Regional Government - not quite gone!
In this bulletin;
► Big Society Conference - latest info and data
► Big Society Awards!
► Localism Bill - what's it all about?
In this bulletin:
► Big Society & The Environment Conference
► Latest on LEPs in North West
► Government's Planning reforms - CPRE Charter
In this bulletin
► all about Local Enterprise Partnerships
►Green Infrastructure and Climate Change consultation
►Future Water Policy
In this bulletin:
► Landscape and Localism Workshop
► Review of Environmental Impact Regulations
► Vacancy - Marine Conservation Officer, NW Wildlife Trusts
In this bulletin
►Government review of National Waste Policy
► An invitation to shape the Nature of England
►Pathfinders to become 'Ecohoods'
Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes
Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West
The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned.
An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas
