Community Buildings: Emergency Accommodation Training

CCB has been awarded a grant from Southern Electric Power Distribution to run 2 meetings about using a village or community hall as emergency accommodation, particularly in bad weather, and the implications of doing so.

The first of these will be held on Wednesday 3 February 2016 at the Calcot centre, Tilehurst from 10am -1pm. The Calcot centre is about 1 mile from Junction 12 of M4. The second date and venue will be announced once they are known.

The second meeting will be held on Monday 22nd February in the Davies Room, Swallowfield Village Hall from 7pm - 9.30pm. The hall is about 3 miles south of junction 11 M4. 

If you are interested in attending please select the meeting that is most convenient for you to come along to. There is no charge to attend but places must be booked in advance. For further information please contact Wendy, Community Buildings Adviser on 0118 9612000 or wendy.dacey@ccberks.org.uk

Recruit & Training Volunteers in Your Community

Is your community looking to recruit or train new volunteers? You may be looking for volunteers from your area for a variety of tasks - to run a community event, building, help write a neighbourhood plan or to take over from current volunteers who wish to step down.

CCB is running a training event 'Recruiting & Training Volunteers' on 16th February 2016 at Beedon Village Hall from 7 - 9.30pm. This is FREE to attend and is supported by the West Berkshire Council Adult Community Learning team. 

Garry Poulson from Volunteer Centre West Berkshire will be providing expert guidance and advice on the topic. The workshop will look to challenge attitudes towards volunteering, demonstrate proven recruitment and retention ideas and stimulate thinking that could be used in your own community setting. If you would like to reserve your place please contact Tessa.Hall@ccberks.org.uk.

One in five of Britain's biggest charities spend less than 50 per cent on good works, new report claims

New research, ‘A Hornet’s Nest’, questioning charitable spending levels - finds 17 large charities with £50m+ per annum spend on average 43% on charitable activities.
292 charities, with combined income of £2.4bn, spent 10% or less on charitable activities

The True and Fair Foundation, started by philanthropist and vocal transparency campaigner, Gina Miller, analysed 5,543 charities with a total combined annual income of £40.7bn, with the simple aim of discovering how much of their income was spent on the end charitable activities.  

The team were staggered to find 292 charities, with a combined income of £2.4bn, spent 10% or less on their charitable activities; having analysed data from the Charity Commissions’ websites.  

They also identified 17 of the UK’s largest charities that on average spent 65p or less of every £ of income on their charitable activities.  Three of the charities, the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, The Racing Foundation and The Motability Tenth Anniversary Trust - with a combined annual income of £1.2bn spent just £20m between them on charitable activities.  

To read the research document in full please click here

The research discovered data errors on both the existing and new ‘Beta’ Charities Commission’s websites; even though the new Beta search tool website aims to prominently and simply display income and expenditure.  The Regulator’s online data is meant to be ‘the authoritative source of information on charities in England and Wales’.  Registered charities’ details are viewed online over six million times a year, but it now transpires much of this data is either incorrect or out of date; or sometimes both.

The True and Fair Foundation’s findings pose serious questions for the charity sector:

1. Should there be an urgent review of the rules that allow organisations to be granted charitable status? Especially as this status tends to result in tax benefits such as reduced business rates, VAT, stamp duty, capital gains, tax on dividends, and being granted gift aid.  All of which deplete the public purse.  
2. Should there be a periodic three year review of organisations’ charitable status?
3. Is it now time for a voluntary or mandatory minimum annual dispersal rate set for charities? It is the view of the True and Fair Foundation that a minimum annual dispersal rate of 65% should be debated.
4. Is there a need for a simpler accounting methodology to enable greater understanding of a charities’ finances? 
5. Is it time to impose a ‘Give & Good label’ across the charity sector which would clearly allow donors to see how much of annual income is being spent on the end charitable activities?
6. Does the sector require more financial oversight and accountability?
7. Why are donors - private, corporate and government - not asking more questions about the charitable work being delivered by charities? 
8. Should there be limits on senior executive remuneration, including pension provision?

Gina Miller, founder of the True and Fair Foundation said, ‘As the State continues to shrink, the charity sector will become even more pivotal to society. But this does not excuse many of the excesses and inefficiencies that appear so prevalent within this sector.’  

‘It is an utter disgrace that so much of the money people generously give is going to feed large charity machines, which are often characterised by obscene overheads and salaries, aggressive fundraising, and bloated marketing and publicity departments; resulting in questionable levels of charitable spending.’

‘The other travesty is that the army of extraordinary small and medium size charities who form the backbone of our communities, are being drowned out by some of these extravagant and grossly inefficient big brand charities.  It is time a light was shone on the sector so people can see just how their hard earned money is really being spent by all charities.’

‘There are too many examples of charities of all sizes failing to remember that they exist for the sake of their beneficiaries, not the staff.’ 

‘In my view the charity sector should be regulated as much as the wider financial sector as it has an estimated income in England and Wales of £64 billion, £13 billion of which comes from government and is therefore public money. All donors, public, corporate and private need to have the information to judge whether their money is being properly spent.’ 

The Gift of Housing: Only if you can afford to buy!

Well the government has published its latest consultation on the definition of affordable housing and other changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, see link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-planning-policy-consultation-on-proposed-changes

All I can say is at least proposed changes in affordable housing policy and legislation are now out from behind closed doors. And the message is clear, if you have the money, the government will give you incentives to buy a house.  If you don't, well let's hope you can stay in that expensive private rental and that it doesn't get too cold this winter or you may find it hard to pay your heating and we all know that that means it's your fault when mould grows up the walls, good-bye deposit.

For those of you on a local council housing waiting list, the wait has just got longer. The changes all but mean no new social rented properties will be built, affordable rents are still out there, but are generally not very affordable (80% market rents, in Berkshire that is 80% of a lot).  Right to Buy is being extended in other legislation, so the stock of housing will reduce (despite promises to replace on a one to one basis, there is no requirement to replace within the same area).

The main focus of the document is the introduction of Starter Homes in the stable of so-called 'affordable housing'.  Affordable Housing now includes houses for sale at a discounted rate, but that can be sold on the open market after 5 years.  Just exactly who is benefiting from the discount? 

In addition the proposed changes will now allow for development adjacent to settlement boundaries, provided it is 'sustainable' (whatever that means). Well for those of you in villages that have been hanging on tight to your settlement boundaries - you may be pleased to know that that virtually spells an end to rural exception sites. You can now expect anyone who owns land adjacent to a settlement boundary to try their luck for permission for small development. Landowners are unlikely to promote land for affordable housing if they can make a profit on it. Why should they?

Am I exasperated?  You bet I am.  I will be responding to this consultation.  I suggest that anyone with any interest in preserving some opportunity to provide homes designated for local people respond as well.  There is a lot in this document and careful reading between the lines is required.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Arlene Kersley
Rural Housing Enabler for Berkshire
arlene.kersley@ccberks.org.uk
0118 961 2000

Beedon Celebrate their refurbished Village Hall

Big congratulations to the villagers of Beedon village hall in West Berkshire whose hall was reopened on Thursday 3 December having had £85,000 spent on refurbishment to bring it up to 21st century standard.

The hall was identified in the Parish Plan as being the most important asset in the village and an intensive 18 month project was launched to raise the funds to refurbish it. New toilets, kitchen, heating and improved main hall have now made the hall a building that the parish can be proud of and will serve the needs of the 400+ people who live in Beedon. The work was carried out by Marshalstone of Headley, near Newbury.

Wendy Dacey, CCB's Community Buildings Adviser, provided advice and guidance on writing successful funding bids and volunteers from Beedon Village Hall attended her 'Funding Workshop'. She said: " I am thrilled to attend the re-opening and would like to congratulate all the volunteers and villagers of Beedon on all their hardwork and fundraising activities."

If you are a volunteer and involved with running a Community Buildings contact Wendy.Dacey@ccberks.org.uk to find out more about the service.

Baby it's cold outside. . .Don't forget to order the oil!

It’s starting to seem a little bit more wintery outside and with heating getting cranked up we just thought we would remind those that heat their homes with oil to put an order in. 

At CCB we run an oil club, administered by Oil Fuel Poverty Solutions (OFPS), that can save you money on your heating bills this winter. For more details please click here.  The club works by combining bulk orders to bring down the price for everyone. 

As we head towards the festive season and the weather gets worse it’s really important to make sure you have enough oil as demand goes up and delivery times can be increased. Do check your tank and make sure that you have enough oil to get through the Christmas period. The CCB oil club has already placed it's Christmas order so if you have enough to see you through our advice would be to try to delay your order until the New Year as with the price of crude oil continuing to diminish and without the stress of Christmas on delivery schedules you are likely to get a much better price in early 2016. Our next order deadline is Wednesday 6th January with deliveries taking place over the next few weeks.

5 Energy Saving Tips to save you up to £400 a year

Energy Saving Trust's Brian Horne gives advice to the Higgins family: parents Andrew and Avani, along with their son Theo, 13, and daughter Lily, 12.

Frozen Out: Reducing Winter Deaths by Fuel Poverty

Source: Social Publishing Project 

Around 25,000 vulnerable people* will unnecessarily die in the next few months due to the cold, the NHS says.

Those in fuel poverty are at highest risk, although different campaigners define it differently. It is usually described as when more than 10 per cent of a household's income is spent on energy bills. Other say it is when people are living below the poverty line but experience higher than average bills.

Despite encouraging results in previous years there was an estimated 43,900 excess deaths in England and Wales last winter the highest number since 1999, figures show. The report suggests most of the deaths involved people over 75 and although the flu virus was a major cause of the rise fuel poverty will have contributed to some deaths.

CCB's Project Co-ordinator, Helen Dean, is already providing valuable advice at Children's Centre's to families but is also now looking to talk to older people's groups about how they can reduce their home energy costs. Any older person’s group that would like to receive a talk on reducing energy bills should get in touch with Helen at helen.dean@ccberks.org.uk or call 0118 9612000. 

To read the full Frozen Out article please click here.

Search for Enthusiastic Makers, Inventors & Engineers

Would you like to give back to the community? Become a Trustee! CCB are recruiting.

The Community Council for Berkshire is looking to recruit new Trustees onto our Board and to fill the vacancy of Honorary Treasurer. 

CCB is an independent charity with over 40 years’ experience in community development work. CCB is the Rural Community Council for Berkshire and works to strengthen and support local communities throughout Berkshire. Our core mission is to enable communities in Berkshire to thrive by using our knowledge, skills and enterprise. Our vision is to strengthen, promote and empower communities across Berkshire.

Your skills and experience will be put to use to make a lasting difference in the communities in which you work or live. If you have more time on your hands due to retirement or other circumstances this could be the perfect role for you. Alternatively if you have a busy work life there are only a handful of (mostly evening) meetings to attend a year and we would appreciate your comments and input on key decisions.  

As we are a small staff team we do rely on volunteers to step in where needed and complete key task and finish jobs. This is an opportunity to enhance your CV and open doors to possible new career paths!

Honorary Treasurer
Non-remunerated post, however out of pocket expenses are payable.
Appointment initially for three years and up to a maximum of six years.

CCB is seeking to appoint an Honorary Treasurer, following the retirement of the current post holder. This is a key voluntary position and the post holder will sit as a Trustee on CCB’s Board.

Ideally the post holder will have a professional qualification in accountancy or finance but a sound financial knowledge and experience would suffice.

The post holder will be expected to attend up to 5 Board Meetings per annum. In addition there will be a small number of other meetings including the Annual General Meeting and Board Away Day. The Hon Treasurer will also be a point of contact for our Chief Operations Officer and will need to be available for occasional meetings via telephone or face-to-face.

Trustee
Non-remunerated post, however out of pocket expenses are payable.
Appointment initially for three years and up to a maximum of six years.

CCB is seeking to recruit new Trustees to our Board of Directors. We are looking for people that have experience or knowledge in one or more of the following fields:
Budgeting, Business Planning, Charity Law, Company Law, Fundraising, Governance
Human Resources, Policy Making and Strategic Planning

Trustees need to have an interest and enthusiasm for working to improve community life in Berkshire and the ideal person will also have strong networks or alliances within the county. Post holders will be expected to attend up to 5 Board Meetings per year. In addition there will be a small number of other meetings including the Annual General Meeting and Board Away Day.

For further details please e-mail admin@ccberks.org.uk or to find out more about us please visit our website: www.ccberks.org.uk. To make an appointment for an informal conversation with the Chief Operating Officer please call on the above number 0118 9612000. 

CCB - Providing Advice on reducing energy bills

 Helen Dean at Wexham Road Children’s Centre Health Visitor Nuture group for Mums and Babies.

CCB are delighted to announce that they have received funding from the Scottish Power Energy People Trust to carry out a project giving advice to low income families on ways in which they can reduce their home energy costs. Helen Dean, Project Co-ordinator said “It’s great that we have funding for a year to be able to run drop in sessions at Children’s Centres across Berkshire. I started the project in September, and I have already advised many parents on how to go about comparing costs and switching supplier. Low income families are often unaware that they qualify for a discount off their electricity bill, and so they are often able to save over £250 a year off their home energy costs if they switch supplier and claim the Warm Home Discount”. 

For advice, and to find out more, visit:http://www.ccberks.org.uk/fuel-energy-advice/4575210374
  

Is your group interested in sharing a new Creative Community Learning Centre?

Is your group interested in sharing a new Creative Community Learning Centre?

Office, meeting and event space available Aspire@Wokingham on Winnersh Triangle has ideal spaces on two floors to support community groups and creative talent including:
 acoustic pods for music rehearsal or recording
 a green screen room for filming and videoing
 an arts and crafts/technology area
 meeting room areas
 office space

Any charities or community groups based in or serving the Wokingham area are invited to attend an Open Day on Wednesday 2nd December 2015, 10am to 3.00pm.

Drop in any time that day to discover more about working towards a sustainable shared community space.
*alternative sessions can be arranged and more information acquired by calling Beverley Graves on 0118 359 3131 or 0772 0038417

Contact Clare Rebbeck on clare.rebbeck@gmail.com or 07809 563714 if you are interested in attending on 2nd Dec Aspire@Wokingham, 520 Eskdale Road, Winnersh, Wokingham RG41 5TU.

CCB's Rural Housing News: Theale Housing Need Survey & The Housing & Planning Bill 2015

Image: Arlene Kersley, CCB's Rural Housing Enabler (RHE)


Theale Housing Need Survey Underway

Theale Parish Council are in the process of delivering housing need surveys to all householders in Theale. The survey will be open until the 30th of November.  If you live in Theale and have not received a copy of the survey contact the Rural Housing Enabler at CCB (Arlene Kersley) and she will send you a copy.  

The survey will help to inform the Parish Council of current levels of need in the village for affordable housing but also of the need for specialist housing to meet older people’s needs. 
It is important that we get the views of as many residents as possible.  The results of the survey will be reported to Theale Parish Council before the end of the year.

CCB’s RHE, Arlene Kersley, is happy to talk to your parish about housing need surveys, rural exception sites and other means of developing community projects.  Contact Arlene on 0118 961 2000, or by email at arlene.kersley@ccberks.org.uk


The Housing and Planning Bill 2015

Arlene continues to monitor the proposals in the Housing & Planning Bill that could affect future delivery and sustainability of rural affordable homes.  These include proposals for:
• Starter Homes – homes for 1st time buyers at 80% of open market value. You must be under 40 to be eligible for these homes and there is a maximum price of £250,000 on these homes.  (NB the average price of a home in West Berkshire is in the region of £270,000)  It is proposed that the purchaser will have to retain the property for a minimum time (5 years) before they can sell or rent the property on the open market.
• Extension of Right to Buy to Housing Association Tenants.  The details of this are now outside of the Bill as a voluntary agreement has been made between the National Housing Federation (who represent Housing Associations) and the Government.  This makes it even harder for the general public to know exactly what the implications are.

It is not yet clear how these initiatives will impact on existing and future rural exception sites where the homes are secured by a legal agreement as affordable in perpetuity.  It is also not clear whether the introduction of Starter Homes as an affordable housing option is at the exclusion of all other affordable tenures including affordable rent.

If you want to ensure that our rural affordable homes remain affordable and that we can continue to deliver affordable housing options in rural communities than you should contact your MP with your concerns.

The Housing and Planning Bill passed its 2nd reading stage in the House of Commons last week and is now in Committee stage.

Watch out for my next Housing update on the CCB website as I expect to be providing much more information as it comes available.

Whisks at the ready... The Great British Bake Off

And for those with a talent for creating baked treats. . . .The Great British Bake Off is back and we’re looking for home bakers to take part in the seventh series…

Can you bake a technically perfect tart, an exceptional celebration cake or a beautifully plaited bread?
Do you fancy putting your skills to the test?
Or do you know someone who might?

To find out more contact us: baking@loveproductions.co.uk 
or download an application at 
www.thegreatbritishbakeoff.co.uk 

Deadline for applications is midnight Sunday 10th January 2016

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 
To apply you must be over 16 on 1ST February 2016. As an ‘amateur baker’ your main source of income cannot come from commercial baking in a professional environment and you cannot have ever worked full-time as a baker or chef. You cannot have acquired any formal NVQ or other professional catering qualifications in the past 10 years.

Community Building's Health & Safety Workshop

On a wet and windy night in October, 11 volunteers from 8 halls attended a workshop on health and safety in community buildings at Bradfield Village Hall in West Berkshire. Wendy Dacey, CCB’s Community Buildings Adviser spoke about the legislation affecting health and safety in halls, both of users and employees. Some delegates were not aware of the need to report some incidents (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regs 1995 – RIDDOR) as well as the raft of other regulations which it is good practice to be aware of.

Delegates then carried out a risk assessment of the hall which they were then equipped to carry out in their own buildings. The training was supported by West Berkshire Adult Community Learning Team and the feedback was very positive with one attendee commenting: 'I found it interesting to share information with other participants and I've taken useful knowledge away to use on our own community hall'.

COMING SOON. . . . 

CCB has been awarded a grant from SEPD Resilient Communities Fund to run 2 meetings for volunteers responsible for running buildings registered to be used as emergency accommodation. One will be held in West Berkshire, the other in East Berkshire, hopefully, early in the New Year. For further information or to register an interest in attending, please email wendy.dacey@ccberks.org.uk

Wild Ride for Wildlife

Wild Ride for Wildlife from Greenham Common to Paris: September 8th to September 11th 2016

The Event: We are expecting 30-50 cyclists to take part in the Wild Ride for Wildlife, a three day 200-mile challenge starting at Greenham Common Control Tower Car Park and ending at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The route includes rolling English countryside and the breath-taking panoramas of northern France before arriving at the iconic Eiffel Tower, which marks the finish line in the centre of this majestic city.

The Wildlife Trust aims to raise £33,000 to help us protect and manage the largest and most precious area of lowland heath in West Berkshire. The Commons are particularly important for some of Britain's rarest ground-nesting birds, including nightjar, woodlark and lapwing and a wide variety of wildlife including adder’s, great crested newts, dormice and a variety of beautiful orchids.

 Key Facts  Dates: 8 -11 September 2016  Duration: 4 days  Cycling days: 3 days  Distance cycled: 200 miles, approx  Accommodation: 2 nights hotel, 1 night 4-berth cabin on ferry  Challenge grading: tough  Minimum sponsorship: £1,300 per rider 

Come along to our Wild Ride for Wildlife information events and we will help answer all your queries on fundraising, the route and where the money raised will be used.
Breakfast Special 26 November 8am to 9.30am at Broadway House, Newbury
Breakfast included, booking essential

27 January 7pm to 9pm, Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Booking available online http://www.bbowt.org.uk/wildrideinfo

To book or for further information please ring or email The Fundraising Team on 01865 775476 fundraising@bbowt.org.uk

The Charity: The vision of Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is to create a region rich in wildlife, which is appreciated by all. BBOWT is one of 47 county-based Wildlife Trusts across the United Kingdom. Working across the three counties we manage and protect 90 nature reserves. Last year 12,000 school children visited our four environmental education centres and nature reserves. We also manage three Living Landscape areas and work with other stakeholders to achieve habitat restoration at a landscape scale enabling wildlife to move between suitable habitats.

Buy a Sustainable Christmas Tree and support the Wildlife Trusts

West Berkshire: Support At Home

A new home from hospital pilot scheme called the Support at Home Service is being trialled across West Berkshire to assist people over the age of 65 who may be socially isolated and vulnerable. The service offers low level, practical, emotional and social support for up to three weeks after leaving hospital; collecting prescriptions, helping to arrange transport to appointments and organising pet care are some of the tasks the service can offer help with. Also, signposting to other services and groups in the local community such as lunch clubs, the Village Agent and car schemes. You do not have to be living alone or have no family or friends to receive Support at Home so if you are about to go into hospital or know someone who is and would benefit from this service, please ring 01189358244 or email westberksprg@redcross.org.uk

Health and Social Care professionals may also refer their clients/patients to this pilot scheme which is a partnership with Newbury and District Clinical Commissioning Group, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, West Berkshire Council, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, Berkshire Age Uk and British Red Cross.

Reading People's March - 28th November 2015 - Call For Action

Climate change. We need everyone, EVERYWHERE

Message on behalf of Reading People’s Climate Change March below:

Please walk with us on Saturday 28th to show support for the international summit in
Paris in December 2015. We want to encourage ambitious action on CLIMATE
CHANGE to avert a global crisis.

Let’s be part of a giant global movement for change. Let’s walk together for a
more just, more equitable and healthier world for us all.
● Marches in Reading, along with other towns and cities in the UK, will show our
support for global action to address climate change, in solidarity with people all
over the globe who are coming together for events on 28th and 29th November.
● By marching we will attract media attention hours before the summit in Paris.

We need local and global leaders to know that we insist they should take
ambitious action on CLIMATE CHANGE to avert a global crisis.
Leaders cannot ignore hundreds of thousands of people coming together to say:
Yes to renewables
No to dirty energy (fossil fuels)
Yes to Justice for People and the Planet
Yes to new Climate Change related clean jobs
Yes to sustainable development NOW
Yes to science and clean tech for the future
Change is possible and within our reach if we stand and act together
The Reading Walk supports the London People’s March on November 29th.
Feel the excitement and be part of a giant global movement for change. Let’s walk for a
more just, more equitable and healthier world for us all.
To find out more, 
Reading Climate Demo team
TO JOIN READING CLIMATE MARCH signup
here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1625216147745987
Email
climate@readingpeoplesmarch.org
Web
http://readingpeoplesmarch.org/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingClimateMarch
Twitter
https://twitter.com/PeoplesMarchRd g
Avaaz
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/event/globalclimatemarch/Reading_Peoples_March_for_Cli
mate_Justice_Jobs

Village Agents, the people to ask when you don’t know who to ask”

Many of us can be living totally independently.  Then, almost overnight, we may need a little help, but do not know what help is available. Volunteer Village Agents are able to put residents in touch with the organisations, agencies and services that already exist and which can help people to enjoy their homes and communities in which they live, for longer.

West Berkshire Volunteer Village Agents are already helping in the parishes highlighted in green.  

They would like to hear from potential Volunteers who would like to become a trusted face, residents can turn to, within their own community.  Full training and support is provided

Please contact Gill 01635 49004 or 07775366812. 
Or for more information view their website www.villageagentswb.org.uk

WE ARE RECRUITING: BALC County Officer

BALC County Officer

The Community Council for Berkshire (CCB) is an independent charity with over 40 years' experience in community development work. Our mission is to support communities in Berkshire to thrive.

The Berkshire Association of Local Councils (BALC) is the representative body for Town and Parish Councils in Berkshire. The County Officer, based within the CCB team, will:
• Provide a support service to member councils to assist them in operating effectively as the first tier of local government
• Undertake appropriate and effective administrative and communications functions for the Association
• Commission and facilitate appropriate training for local councils 
• Keep member councils up to date with changes in relevant legislation and government requirements

The successful applicant will either hold the Certificate in Local Council Administration or be prepared to work towards it, and be familiar with the issues and challenges facing Town and Parish Councils. 

The role will be for up to 35 hours per week and suggestions for a job-share will be considered. The role is based in Swallowfield, Berkshire. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 23rd November and interviews will be held on Thursday 3rd December. 

To apply, please send a CV with covering letter describing your suitability for the role to: Tim Parry, Community Council for Berkshire, Wyvols Court, Basingstoke Road, Swallowfield, RG7 1WY.

For a full job description please click here and for a full person specification please click here.

Big Energy Saving Week - 26th - 30th October

High energy bills are a big concern for households across the country and as winter approaches it’s the perfect time to make sure you and your bills are prepared for what the weather brings us.

Big Energy Saving Week runs from the 26th to the 30th of October and is jointly organised by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Citizens Advice and Energy Saving Trust. It is a national campaign delivered through the media that aims to help householders take practical steps to cut their energy bills by encouraging them to check they are on the best deal, to switch tariff or supplier and to save energy by taking control of their heating and electricity.

CCB’s Project Co-ordinator Helen Dean is running projects in Berkshire, giving advice to families on how they can reduce their home energy costs.

See Helen’s web-page giving advice on all areas of reducing your home energy bills – Click Here for full information.  There is also advice on the page for families with young children on low incomes, check out the Warm Home Discount of £140 available from electricity suppliers.

Switching suppliers to get a cheaper tariff saves an average around £200 or more. This is the single biggest way to save money on your energy bill. Ofgem’s ‘Go Energy Shopping’ website gives great advice on checking you if have got the best deal, and switching to save money - http://www.goenergyshopping.co.uk/en-gb

RHE Review of Housing & Planning Bill 2015

What sort of a 'House' do you live in?

While I was busy dipping my toes (toes only) in the Atlantic at Biarritz last week, the Government finally published the Housing & Planning Bill 2015, I was blissfully unaware.

So back at my desk I have read the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Notes and can give a 60 second account of what is in it and how it might affect future provision of affordable homes for local people in Berkshire.  60 seconds because as ever the Bill is not overly laden with detail but full of expressions like: "The Secretary of State may by regulations amend..." or, "regulations may make provision for..."

There is good news for people who are interested in Self-Build as Local Authorities have a duty to grant planning permission for enough serviced plots to meet the demand for this type of housebuilding in their area.   Again, we need to see the full detail, but  this may well include Community Led Buildings. So if you have an idea for some Community Led Housing do get in touch and we can see what support there is out there to get your project off the ground.

For me the more important items in the Bill were regarding Starter Homes and the extended Right to Buy.  Both of these things have been much discussed over the summer as bits have leaked out.  Again the full detail is yet to be revealed but here is a summary:

Starter Homes:   This is a new tenure introduced by the government. Starter Home will be: 

• available to purchase at 20% off the open market value 
• for people who are under the age of 40 and are first time buyers.  
• property values have a cap of £250,000 (outside London) which may limit what sort of Starter Homes we will get in high value Berkshire.  

It is expected that further regulations will be issued that will put some limits on time frames before these houses can be resold or let out privately to prevent investors making a quick profit.

Local Authorities will now have a duty to promote Starter Homes in their policies. This will likely be Planning obligations  by means of S106 conditions on Planning Applications, in much the same way affordable housing quotas have been met in the past.

What isn't clear is whether this is at the expense of affordable rented and shared ownership tenures.  The Government seems to be moving away from the provision of affordable housing for rent.

The Bill makes absolutely no reference to exception sites. However as the regulations are released it is anticipated that there will be exemptions in the regulations regarding certain areas.

Extended Right to Buy - Also included in the Bill is the acceptance of a voluntary deal between the National Housing Federation and and the Government to extend the Right to Buy to Housing Association tenants who rent their properties.  As a result of the 'Voluntary Deal' there is actually very little detail in the Bill about the extension.  It is expected that sufficient demand for home ownership through exercising Right to Buy will be met by the Associations that have opted into the deal to avoid any further legislation at this time.  

Right to Buy means that Housing Association tenants will be able to purchase their properties at a discounted rate.  The discounts will be reimbursed to the Housing Association by means of Homes and Communities Agency grants.  

It is unclear how this will impact on properties on existing exception sites. There are certainly implications for future exception sites, as landowners will be reluctant to release land for development of homes that may be sold.

Vacant High Value Local Authority Housing Also included in the Bill is a requirement for Local Authorities to make payments to the Secretary of State for any empty high value stock (to be defined in further regulations).  Local Authorities are encouraged to sell any high value stock that becomes vacant.  In places where there has been a stock transfer, that includes transferred stock.  These payments will help to fund the Right to Buy discounts. There are no rural exemptions.

There are many other provisions in the Bill including changes in planning regulations that affect Neighbourhood Plans and grant the Secretary of State additional powers particularly where a Local Authority is under-performing on delivery of planning decisions or delivery of Local Plans.

To read the Bill and follow its progress through Parliament click the link: Housing & Planning Bill 2015

Comment
Home-ownership is indeed desirable for most people,  truthfully though, not feasible for many people. There must be alternatives that are affordable and secure.  I appreciate that there is no longer treasury funding to develop new houses for social rent.  However I am gravely concerned in the midst of an enormous housing crisis the Government's response is to sell off the little social housing we have at discounted rates in order to develop homes for sale with not even a mention of the people who are destined to rent for their entire lives.

Arlene Kersley
Rural Housing Enabler for Berkshire
arlene.kersley@ccberks.org.uk 

Village SOS launches Mobile Phone App

A new Mobile App which aims to help community groups with their project planning has been launched by Village SOS, a UK wide campaign funded by the Big Lottery fund. Village SOS is a campaign which offers one-to-one support and advice to community groups who are providing a service in their local community, via a network of partnership organisations across the UK. It is hoped that the Mobile App; which is available FREE to download on both Android and Apple devices, will make the process of developing project ideas easier.

Users can access case studies, useful project planning advice, business planning tips as well as make use of downloadable templates such as a ‘cashflow template’. The App is a resource for community groups to use when taking their project forward, understanding the complexities of keeping it going and also learning from those with experience of similar activities.

Chris Cowcher, Village SOS Community said: “Projects across the UK can access expert advice from our partners, which will help them to develop and grow their project ideas and we hope that this application will help them to consider what is needed to keep going in future. Packed full of case studies, this is a very useful resource to have at your fingertips. The App has been designed to work without internet connection, once downloaded and it is hoped that this will help those in the many rural communities where the ability to get online is limited or in some cases non-existent.”

To read more about the Village SOS Mobile App including how to download, please visit the Village SOS website www.villagesos.org.uk.

CCB's Annual Review 2014-15 OUT NOW

To read a copy please click here.
CCB's Annual Review of the last financial year is now out. Many of our projects continue to grow and flourish into 2015-16, and hopefully beyond. This Annual Review covers some very interesting projects including;

• Fuel Poverty Advice Work
• Development and building of Affordable Homes in Berkshire
• Providing an expert Community Buildings Advice Service
• Supporting Community Consultation Projects and Parish Planning activities
• Supplying a bulk buying oil club membership service to those who can benefit from it
• Hosting the Berkshire Association of Local Councils to provide expert advice, training and information to member councils
• Providing regular community news, events, funding opportunities and information via our e-bulletin ‘Action for All’

If you have any questions or would like to hear more about anything in our Annual Review please get in touch. 

We have our AGM fast approaching, taking place on 22nd October 2015 at Beech Hill Village Hall from 5.30pm, providing a further opportunity to learn more about us and chat to the team. Arlene Kersley, CCB Rural Housing Enabler will also be giving an informative presentation on ‘Shifting Sands: Impact of Change in Rural Policy’. If you would like to come along please contact gemma.pearce@ccberks.org.uk

To read a copy please click here.

News from the Rural Housing Enabler

News from the Rural Housing Enabler

Yesterday CCB staff settled into our new offices in Swallowfield and happy to have views of rural Berkshire from our windows.  

No doubt you will all have already noted our new address at Wyvols Court, Swallowfield, RG7 1WY.  Please note the mass email I sent to all my contacts was meant to be a test and ended up going out with a few notable errors.  Apologies to all of my contacts, do double check that you have the correct information.  Our postcode is RG7 1WY not 1WHY, which at least made us all laugh when we saw the error.  In the throes and chaos of our move, we may indeed have been asking ourselves 'Why?'

The main reason I am writing is because my mass email did elicit a number of responses.  Based on the number of 'undeliverable' messages I received I have been able to clean-up what is now a 10 year old contact list.  I even made contact with someone who is coincidentally leaving a long term post today, so it was good timing to catch them before they go, wish them well and hope to cross paths in their new endeavour.

But for me the most important response I had was from a Trustee at the Wokingham Area Housing Society, Eric Davies,  who was prompted by my email to send me an update on their very exciting housing project.

I first made the acquaintance of Eric and some of his fellow Trustees about 5 years ago.  Eric contacted me to ask for some advice on development options for some out of date retirement homes that the WAHS ran for the good of the community.  I had no idea an organisation like WAHS existed in Berkshire and was thrilled to make their acquaintance.

Apart from some sign-posting to the appropriate contacts I was not able to provide them with much support. However I am extremely pleased to report that 5 years on WAHS having partnered with Housing Solutions (one of the long-term supporters of the CCB Rural Housing Project), and they have now got the builders on site for their major redevelopment project.  The result of which will be 24 new affordable single bedroom flats reserved for people aged 55 and over who wish to remain independent.  The homes will be ready for occupation in Spring 2016.

Eric reports to me in his email that:

"Without the help of outside contributors like yourself we would not have been able to undertake such a project and we hope that in another 60 years or so somebody will say something about another "hidden gem" in Finchampstead. "

Well done to both WAHS and Housing Solutions.  It is always nice to report on a good news housing story for a change!  Do visit the WAHS website for more information at:  http://www.wahs.co.uk/#!/home

Pastures New: CCB have moved offices

From the 1st October 2015 we will be operating out of a new office at Wyvols Court, Swallowfield, RG7 1WY. If you are passing do drop in and see us. All other contact details remain the same so please make sure you make a note of our new address.

Are Rural Homes at Risk from Latest Government Initiatives?

As the Rural Housing Enabler for Berkshire I have grave concerns about the manner in which policy changes are currently being managed by the Government, in sound bites, issued from behind closed doors with little or no transparent consultation.  It would be for the benefit of the rural economy and rural communities as a whole if we could get a single document that spells out the full details of the proposals on rural housing, rather than sound bites that are causing confusing and uncertainty.

Over the course of the summer we have had a number of announcements made by the Government about the increased provision of ‘so-called’ affordable housing.  

In July the Government set-out its plans to extend Right to Buy Housing Association tenants in: Fixing the foundations, Creating a more prosperous nation. 

Does the taxpayer really support the Government’s initiative to sell off the countries assets for a short-term gain?  Surely this only favours tenants who have already had the benefit of subsidised rents.  If they wish to buy a home they can do so on the open market like anyone else. There are now more low-cost options to do so with a range of HomeBuy options available.

Last Thursday a new publication was issued: Towards a one nation economy: A 10 point plan for boosting productivity in rural areas, which proposes to allow Starter Homes on rural exception sites, a planning exception previously reserved solely for the provision of affordable homes in perpetuity for people with a local connection to a rural parish.

These initiatives have the potential to dramatically impact on the provision of affordable homes to the people most in need in rural communities.  This could eliminate homes for affordable rent and reduce the supply of land for future exception sites.  In addition to creating uncertainty with Neighbourhood Planning groups and rural parishes currently planning exception sites to meet local needs.

Today I have written a letter to George Osborne as follows:

“I read with some incredulity the latest Government edict; Towards a one nation economy: A 10-point plan for boosting productivity in rural areas.
Is it now the Government’s intention to redefine ‘affordable housing’ as homes to buy on the open market only?  This seems to contradict the National Planning Policy Framework, which indicates that affordable homes are: 
“Affordable housing: Social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. Affordable housing should include provisions to remain at an affordable price for future eligible households or for the subsidy to be recycled for alternative affordable housing provision…
..Homes that do not meet the above definition of affordable housing, such as “low cost market” housing, may not be considered as affordable housing for planning purposes.”
How will your proposed Starter Homes on exception sites be secured as affordable and for local people in perpetuity?  What happens to those people in the community who have no chance whatsoever of accessing a discounted home to buy? Is the Government going to incentivise landowners in some way to bring forward land for these discounted Starter Homes on rural exception sites, or will the developer pay full market value for the land?
I have worked with rural communities for the past 10 years to bring these schemes forward for the benefit of local residents.  Your proposals will undermine the entire concept of the rural exception site.  Why would a landowner provide land at a discount for affordable homes if they can hold out for open market value? 
In rural villages there are few homes to rent, what does exist may now be at risk from proposed right to buy changes. Needy local residents are now unlikely to access a truly affordable home on a rural exception site either.  
Unfortunately, several of the groups I work with have read the sound bites with interest, and without detail. They will put on hold current Neighbourhood Plans and rural exception site projects that may have come forward without this latest snippet.
I await with considerable anticipation the full details of these propositions and how they will be implemented.  Will they go the same way as the recent decision on affordable housing contributions on small sites?  Let’s hope it doesn’t get that far.”

Arlene Kersley
Rural Housing Enabler for Berkshire
CCB
arlene.kersley@ccberks.org.uk
0118 961 2000

Good News for the Boxford History Project

Press Release from BOXFORD HISTORY PROJECT

Revealing Boxford’s Ancient Heritage wins Heritage Lottery Fund support
Boxford History Project has received £62,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for Revealing Boxford’s Ancient Heritage: a community archaeology project. This three-year project under professional archaeological guidance will investigate three closely linked Roman sites near to Boxford village in West Berkshire. Previous work at these sites suggested Roman occupation in an area where little is known about the extent of early settlement.

In the past, our community archaeology has successfully drawn together people from a wide age-range and all walks of life. This time our volunteers will receive specialist training, with lectures and fieldwork, giving them the skills to interpret their local heritage, and identify, record and protect these sites.  Any finds will be displayed at the newly built Heritage Centre in Boxford.

Over the past three years, Boxford History Project (BHP) has been helped by the Berkshire Archaeology Research Group (BARG) and Cotswold Archaeology (CA) to undertake preliminary geophysical surveys of all three potential sites and identified varied building outlines, predominantly from the Roman period. Trial excavations took place on the largest of the sites two years ago with some exciting finds. This grant enables BHP in a formal partnership with BARG and CA to investigate the function, extent, status, chronology and relationship between the three sites, which seem to represent a significant focus of high-status Roman occupation in the Lambourn Valley, with the Roman Road, Ermin Street nearby. 

Commenting on the award, Joy Appleton said: “We are somewhat stunned but absolutely thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are confident that the project will enthuse locals and a wider audience to take part in the project and gain a greater understanding of what went on here in Boxford 2000 years ago.”

We hope as many locals as possible will join the team of volunteer diggers. There is a pre-dig training session led by Cotswold Archaeology at the church on August 24th at 7.30pm. Then we start digging on August 25th through to September 6th with a rest day on Bank Holiday Sunday. We plan to have a site Open Day on Sunday 6th September but more details on that later. If you can join us, please contact Joy at joy@appleton.uk.net and let her know which days you can make - for planning and insurance purposes. If you can bring trowels, wheelbarrows and mattocks - you'll gain extra brownie points!

 By Boxford History Project