CCB Energy Advice Alert: British Gas Offering Free Work to improve your homes energy efficiency

CCB Energy Advice Alert: British Gas Offering Free Work to improve your homes energy efficiency

British Gas is offering free loft and cavity wall insulation for your home!

This offer is not based on your income but on the age of your property, and what is needed to bring it up to the latest standards of required insulation. You do not need to be a British gas customer to qualify.

To check if you are eligible visit https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy-saving-products/home-insulation

Singing your Way on to BBC2's Gareth Malone next Show

Gareth Malone is on a mission to find the UK’s most entertaining a cappella performers, as part of a brand new singing contest for BBC 2.

He’s on the hunt for groups, all shapes and sizes, young and old, from all walks of life – the main thing is no instruments allowed.

To find out more please email: sing@twentytwenty.tv or call 0207 424 7758.

Government Announces £22.5m to Boost Neighbourhood Planning

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced a new £22.5 million programme to support communities looking to set up neighbourhood plans.

The new programme, which runs until 2018, aims to support local communities that are drawing up a neighbourhood plan for their area. Neighbourhood planning was introduced in England by the Localism Act 2011 to give people a chance to decide how their local area should be developed and what should be built in the future. Groups will be able to determine where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built and have a say on what new buildings should look like.

The new Neighbourhood Planning programme offers both funding in the form of a grant as well as technical advice and support. It follows on from the Government's £9.5 million Supporting Communities in Neighbourhood Planning programme (2013-2015).

Community groups writing a neighbourhood plan or neighbourhood development can apply for a Neighbourhood Planning Grant of between £1,000 and £8,000 to pay for events to engage the local community, develop a website, training sessions, venue hire, publicity materials, printing and other costs associated with consultation.

Groups facing more complex issues can apply for specific packages of technical support where needed, and may also be eligible for a further £6,000 in grant funding. Groups with complex issues include neighbourhood forums where there is no town or parish council; clusters of parishes; high growth areas; deprived areas; populations with more than 25,000 residents; groups preparing a neighbourhood development order; and business led neighbour plans.

The support programme runs to 2018 and from April it will also provide community groups with technical assistance and expert advice to support new neighbourhood plans and neighbourhood development orders, throughout the process.

There are no deadlines as this is a rolling programme that is expected to run throughout the year.

Locality, a national network of community-led organisations, is delivering the Government’s neighbourhood planning support programme and will be assessing applications.

Full details including guidance notes and an Expression of Interest form can be found on the My Community website

Courtesy of j4Bcommunity.co.uk

Being a Good Employer Training: Every Parish Council in Berkshire Should Attend

Berkshire Association of Local Councils (BALC) is facilitating a training workshop on BEING A GOOD EMPLOYER on the 25th March 2015 Calcot 6-9.30pm.

It is recommended that every council in Berkshire should send at least one councillor to attend this training. Bethan Osborne, HR Consultant and employment advisor to BALC will provide an introduction to employment rights and responsibilities. This is critically important for parish councils to get right. All parish councils are employers and have a duty of care to their staff. 

Topics covered will include:  
•    Getting it right from the start - effective recruitment and selection 
•    What the law says about employee rights and obligations 
•    Dispute resolution and employee relations - covering grievance and disciplinary processes 
•    Performance management and staff development 
•    Ending the contractual relationship  

To book a place please contact Christine.Lalley@ccberks.org.uk

National Voters Registration Day a record breaking success

Last month (5th February 2015) was National Voter Registration DAY (NVRD) which saw organisations work together to increase education and awareness around voter registration in the UK. 

Using grass roots campaigns and ground breaking strategy the week of 2nd – 8th February 2015,saw a world-record breaking 441,500 people registered to vote, including 166,000 on NVRD alone (5 February). This makes NVRD 2015 the most successful voter registration campaign, ever. - See more at: http://bitetheballot.co.uk/how-to-take-power/#sthash.DAISzpMV.dpuf

Despite all the work though – and the boost in registrations – there remains much more to do, with millions of people who still remain unregistered. It's vital that we maintain the momentum that NVRD has helped generate through to the registration deadline on 20 April 2015.

There is still time, so register now by clicking here!

West Berkshire Learner Achievement Awards 2015: Nominate Now!

The West Berkshire Community Learning Partnership is pleased to invite nominations for the West Berkshire Learner Achievement Awards 2015. These annual awards celebrate the outstanding success and achievement of individuals, groups and organisations involved in adult learning across West Berkshire during the last year.

All types of training and education are considered from professional qualifications to apprenticeships, vocational training, family learning and courses to encourage personal and community development.  

The  Awards are sponsored by local organisations and cover a range of categories:               
A. Outstanding Achievement                             F. Older Learner                                             

B. Determination                                               G. Most Committed Volunteer to Learning  

C. Outstanding Progression                              H. Group Learners

D. Inspiring Others                                             I.  Teacher, Tutor and Trainer

E. Returning To Learning                                  J.  Most Committed Organisation to Learning                                                                   

To nominate someone simply click here to make a nomination on-line.

Each successful winner will receive a certificate and a monetary award from the sponsoring organisation. They will also be invited, with their nominator and a guest, to the awards ceremony at 5:30pm on Friday, 12th June at Shaw House, Newbury.

Please note the deadline for nominations is 5:00pm on Monday, 27th April.

£4.5 million for Berkshire – Building Better Opportunities Conference

£4.5 million for Berkshire – Building Better Opportunities Conference

With the Big Lottery Fund and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP at Green Park Centre Reading on Monday 9th March 2015 from 9.30am to 12.30pm 

Building Better Opportunities is ESF/Big Lottery Funding for projects that tackle any of the following:

Overcoming barriers to employment
Addressing root causes of poverty and improving financial confidence
Promoting a dynamic and inclusive rural economy
Supporting troubled families

Come along to find out about the 6.5 million ring fenced for Berkshire and how your organisation can be included. 

Paul Ridley from the Big Lottery Fund will present the application process and be available to answer your questions.

Plus opportunities to meet potential bidding partners and to consider what a really creative and winning application would contain.

The event is free but spaces are limited so please register to let us know you are coming:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-better-opportunities-conference-tickets-15539012605

The Berkshire Consortium - Reading Voluntary Action, Empowering West Berkshire, Slough CVS, Community Council Berkshire, Involve Bracknell.

Conference at Green Park Centre - 100 Longwater Avenue, Green Park, Reading, RG2 6GP