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Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk
Consultation responses
Shaping The Future Of Care Together: Green Paper
VSNW submission: There is widespread VCS recognition that there is a need to develop a care system which provides equitable access across the region to services that reach an agreed standard of quality.
In responding to this consultation VSNW focussed on two aspects that impact on VCS groups delivering health and social care services in the North West:
►national versus local funding schemes
►joined up approaches
Regional Strategies and Leaders' Boards consultation response
VSNW’s consultation response places particular emphasis on:
►Mainstreaming the equalities impact assessment within the Sustainability Appraisal process
►Clarifying the right for local authorities to determine the structure of their regional Leaders’ Board
►The benefits of formal third sector inclusion on the Leaders’ Board
►Potential for equal emphasis on geographic and identity/interest communities
►The offer for regional third sector involvement in developing the national core sustainability framework.
Refreshing the Compact: a framework for partnership working
VSNW's response to the proposed new national Compact calls for:
►the means to further embed aspects of the Compact
►light touch initiatives to support third sector delivery of large programmes like DWP's
►closer links between Equalities Impact Assessments, strategic commissioning cycles and grant funding
We would also advocate consideration of the National Audit Office's Intelligent Monitoring recommendations.
Submission to the North West Regional Committee on the impact of the recession
VSNW's submission focused on the need for debt advice and measures to support the voluntary and community sector (VCS). The hearing took place on 15 June. Notes from this will be available shortly.
The Principles and Issues of the Regional Strategy (RS2010) VCS consultation
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Briefing summarising the response is available here:
Briefings: Regional Strategy Principles consultation response (#13)
Third Sector Action Plan response
The three key points of VSNW's response to the Government's consultation on actions to support the third sector through the economic downturn are:
- Ensure that the voluntary and community sector appropriately, directly and strategically engages with economically focussed decision-making processes at every spatial level.
This way the potential, perspective and knowledge of the sector be embedded and fully support the work of private and public sector partners to minimise the impact of the economic downturn - for the benefit of badly affected communities and VCS groups - and support economic recovery. - The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill offers a key opportunity to guarantee voluntary and community sector engagement in local economic assessments.
- Construction projects in partnership with the voluntary and community sector could be fast-tracked.
NCVO's response is available here: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=12266
Empowerment Fund consultation
Update on consultation responses and launch of Empowerment fund.
North West regional strategy evidence base
Includes an outline of the scope of the voluntary and community sector in the North West. A short version, not linked to explicit sources of evidence, which focuses on the size of the sector in the North West, is published as Briefing #08.
Prosperous places: sub national review consultation
Featured Event
Influencing Parliament with the Communities and Local Government Select Committee
As part of the Parliamentary Outreach and VSNW 'Get Involved' series of events, this event will explore:
►What Parliament is and what it does
►How groups can effectively engage with Parliament
►Insights from a Specialist Clerk from the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee
Latest News
Job opportunity: Sustainable Neighbourhoods Action Group strategic engagement worker
SNAG is looking for a highly motivated and proactive individual to deliver a project which aims to help community and voluntary groups get more involved in decision-making on a range of sustainability issues in Manchester.
Win £50,000 to improve your are
People’s Millions is a competition from the National Lottery to help you improve your area.
Listen Value Invest campaign is launched at the Houses of Parliament
The Listen Value Invest campaign was launched in a special event at the Houses of Parliament last week.
Events & Trainings
VSNW’s list of events & training opportunities for VCS groups in the North West
