New Councillor Training for newly elected councillors is now FULLY BOOKED in June. If you have yet to book on there are still two further dates that you can attend in July or September.
The Berkshire County Training CIC is running New Councillor Training which will obviously be of particular interest to those new faces who were elected on the 7th May.
Who should come?
This training is designed for newly elected councillors; it will be of help to new or inexperienced clerks too. More experienced councillors may find it useful as a refresher and reminder of roles and responsibilities.
The evening will be run by Kim Bedford a very experienced and recently retired County Officer of Gloucestershire Association or Local Councils.
What does it cover?
The role and responsibilities of a Councillor.
Examining how the four key components fit together - Councillor, (Code of Conduct) Council, Chairman and Clerk.
How a council works; the law, procedures, meetings and a place for committees.
How to fulfil compliance, accountability and transparency requirements as a statutory body.
Forward thinking - discussing possible future changes.
How to work with and engage with the community to ensure that you work with and for them.
There will be time for questions and networking.
Cost
BALC Members £40 + £8 VAT = £48
Non Members £80 + £16 VAT = £96
VAT registration number: 186 1942 79
Dates and Booking
To book a place at one of these sessions please click on the appropriate link below.
All training sessions are being held at the Calcot Centre, Highview, RG31 4XD which is just off Junction 12 of the M4.
Click here to book on Wednesday 15th July, 6.00 - 9.30pm
Click here to book on Wednesday 9th September, 6.00 - 9.30pm
The FreeFest Programme is now complete and details of THIS weekend's events can be found on the Hampstead Norreys Website.
Here is the link to the page: http://www.hampsteadnorreys.org.uk/FreeFest-Programme.html
Countryside residents in the Thames Valley are urged to make their voices heard in National Crime Poll.
The largest ever survey into crime and anti-social Behaviour (ASB) in rural areas has been launched in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to find out how the police can better serve rural communities.
The survey, launched by the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN), is open to anyone living or working in rural areas and has been organised to help build a picture of what is a widespread but often misunderstood issue.
The Police and Crime Commissioner, Anthony Stansfeld, is encouraging people who work or live in rural areas of the Thames Valley to come forward and give their views on policing in their community and the impact crime and anti social behaviour has on them and their neighbours.
The survey will be open until Wednesday 24th June. To access the survey please click here.
Leading rural network ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) has appointed Richard Quallington as interim chief executive, its board announced this week.
Richard succeeds Janice Banks at the helm of the charity, which is the national voice for the ACRE Network of 38 rural community councils, of which Community Council for Berkshire is one of. He joins ACRE from Community First in Herefordshire & Worcestershire, a member of the ACRE Network, where he was chief executive.
Richard, who lives in Worcestershire, is a former vice chair of ACRE and past chair of Regional Action West Midlands (RAWM). A planner by training, he has many years’ experience of working with and lobbying on behalf of rural communities about affordable housing, transport, services, broadband and regeneration initiatives.
He will steer ACRE through a restructure following a board review of the future for ACRE, which has secured £2.3m of Defra funding for its Network for 2015/16.
Richard said: “I am delighted to be joining ACRE, which has a long history of speaking up for rural communities on the national stage and of supporting its Network in making a real difference at the grassroots."
“I am very keen to work with our members to move the Network forward to find new ways in which we can help rural communities to meet the challenges they face.”
Building Better Opportunities funding is for projects delivering against the ‘Promoting Social Inclusion and Combating Poverty’ part of European Social Funding (ESF). The funding will be delivered in the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Thames Valley Berkshire area according to local priorities.
Project 1 Supporting families with complex needs £1,137,500
Project 2 Addressing barriers to work £1,137,500
Project 3 Developing social enterprise £568,750
Only one partnership will be selected to deliver for each project covering the whole of Berkshire for a 3 year period [with potential for a further 3 years to follow]. The partnership applications should be for the full amount of money.
The aims for all three projects will focus on getting people into employment or training and there is specific eligibility criteria for participants – https://www.dropbox.com/s/04dv8objfwhg50y/BBOEligibilityinterimguidance.pdf?dl=0
The 1st stage of the application process will open in June 2015 and close at the end of July 2015. Partnerships selected to proceed to the 2nd stage will be given development funding to support the partnership to a final application. First tranche of delivery is expected to begin in March 2016.
A Building Better Opportunities partner directory has been developed to help you find a lead and potential partners – https://www.dropbox.com/s/q0ykbbff9ugg652/BBO%20Partner%20Directory%285%29.pdf?dl=0
Are you interested in being part of a partnership? If so:
1. Contact a lead directly to let them know what your organisation can offer
2. Complete this expression of interest form and we will share your details with all the leads we are aware of – https://rvaforms.wufoo.com/forms/x1ft5ydi04k8yzi/
3. Email your details and we will add you to the Directory.
Please note – we are sharing information to help partnerships come together. Each lead will have absolute discretion as to who they include in their partnership. Organisations can be part of as many applications as they wish. The CVS [RVA, Involve, Slough CVS, Empowering WB & CCB] will consider taking a lead if there is a priority without a lead or if it would enable greater involvement from local providers.
News from: Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)
The National Allotment Week theme for 2015 is 'Plot for all Ages'. It is designed to emphasise the benefits that allotments bring to everyone regardless of age, to celebrate the fact that they have endured through many ages and highlight that we need to value our remaining sites and preserve them for future generations to enjoy. National Allotment Wee is running from the 10th - 16th August 2015
To illustrate our theme they are looking for people and sites in the following categories:
· The oldest plot-holder
· The youngest plot-holder (16 and upwards)
· Youngest grower on parents plot
· The longest continuous family rental of a plot
· The oldest site
· The authority that has built the most new plots over the last 5 years
The week itself will start with the opening of a pop-up allotment in Plymouth, be followed by local events at sites around the country and conclude on the 16 August at the Summer Vegetable Weekend held by Barnsdale Gardens in the East Midlands. On this weekend Barnsdale Gardens open up the productive areas that are normally off-limits to visitors, and their expert growers will be available to advise you on your own veggie production and chat about their favourite subject. For further details please visit: http://www.nsalg.org.uk/news-events-campaigns/national-allotments-week/
Read all about fun and interesting events running in Newbury, Reading and Wokingham to celebrate Carers Week in Berkshire. Carers Week is happening 8th - 14th June 2015.
Cruise down the Thames, join in a laughing session and find out how to build a carer-friendly community...Carer’s Week is a time to celebrate carers. These events are all free for unpaid family carers.
Walking for health in Newbury and Wokingham. Tuesday 9 June.
Join us for a walk today. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes! Led health walks for people of all abilities, they are a great opportunity to discover new places and meet new people. Specially trained volunteers provide encouragement and make sure no-one gets left behind!
West Berkshire: Tuesday 9 June. 11am -12pm. Meet at Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury.
Wokingham: 10am. Meet at Dinton Pastures.
To book a place, please call Berkshire Carers Service on 0800 988 5462 or email
helpline@berkshirecarers.org
Information Event Reading
Wednesday 10 June. 1pm - 3.30pm. Reading Borough Council, Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
• Quiz
• Blood Pressure Checks with The Stroke Association
• Carers talk about their experiences
• Presentation from Time Finders - Caring for Carers
• Carer’s Allowance and Work Access (DWP)
• How to build a carer-friendly community Information stands:
• Berkshire Carers Service
• The Kiloran Trust
• Berkshire Phab
• Reading Crossroads Care
• The Stroke Association
Wokingham Waterside Centre, Wednesday 10 June. 10am - 3pm
Take part in a variety of water sports such as Dragon Boating and canoeing. A BBQ lunch will be provided at 12 noon. After lunch a Katakanu Trip to the Oracle and back to the centre by 3pm. All activities are suitable for beginners. To book your place or for your free leisure pass, please contact Lucy Eccles on lucy.eccles@wokingham.gov.uk or telephone 0118 908 8412.
Reading to Mapledurham return boat trip 11th June 2015
Cruise down the Thames with Berkshire Carers Service Thursday 11 June from 10am - 1pm. Enjoy tea and cake.
All unpaid carers welcome to join Berkshire Carers Service on a trip down the Thames to
celebrate 20 years of supporting carers. Enjoy a 3-hour round trip passing by Purley-on-
Thames and the Elizabethan Manor at Mapledurham.
Pick up and drop off point: Thameside Promenade, behind the Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Richfield Avenue, Reading, RG1 8BD.
Call 0800 988 5462 to book your free place or email helpline@berkshirecarers.org
Wokingham Information and pampering event Friday 12 June from 9.30am - 3pm.
Cantley House Hotel, Milton Road, Wokingham RG40 5QG
A laughing session will set the mood for the day! Also pampering sessions, short mat
bowls, Tai Chi and a question time session to get answers about the support available for
carers. You can take the bike or rowing challenge if you are up for it! Refreshments and lunch provided. To ask questions to a panel of social care practitioners and voluntary sector
organisations please submit them (by 29 May) to Berkshire Carers Service. To book your
place, please call Berkshire Carers Service on 0800 988 5462 or email helpline@berkshirecarers.org. Activities can be booked on the day.
Drop-in Event hosted by West Berkshire Council. Thursday 11 June.
10am - 2pm. The Old Town Hall, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5AA
All carers are welcome to drop-in to find out about support available from West Berkshire
Council and to meet staff from its care management teams. Other organisations attending
include Crossroads Care, CAB , Talking Therapies and the DWP supported by West Berkshire Council’s financial services team.
Get Berkshire Active Week is happening across the county between Saturday 16 and Sunday 24 May.
Local sports clubs and organisations are getting involved in the week by putting on a range of free and discounted taster sessions in their sport or activity for local people of all ages to try.
Details regarding these activities, and others, can be found on the Get Berkshire Active activity finder – www.getberkshireactive.org
Brett Nicholls, Get Berkshire Active Chief Executive said ‘Get Berkshire Active wants to help enthuse people to become more active and try new sports within Berkshire. We are delighted that a range of clubs and organisations from across the county have signed up, who see this is as a perfect opportunity for local people from Berkshire to try a new sport or just become more active. ’
Helene Raynsford former Paralympic Rower added ‘Get Berkshire Active Week provides the perfect opportunity to get more people physically active and enjoying all the benefits sport has to offer. The partnership works tirelessly to improve the sporting experience in Berkshire and ensuring quality and accessible opportunities for people to adopt a lifelong involvement in sport and activity.’
The Building Maintenance workshop which was held in Warfield in February will be repeated at Tidmarsh village hall (near Pangbourne) on Friday 12th June from 2.30 -4.00 pm. Once again, Alastair Dick -Cleland from the Landmark Trust will talk about building maintenance - both inside and out - and the session will be invaluable to anyone responsible for running a community building.
The workshop is being funded with a grant from the Coop Communities fund and is FREE to attend. Places need to be booked however, either by phone tel 0118 9612000 or email wendy.dacey@ccberks.org.uk
Do you love our beautiful waterways? Are you interested in their history? Would you like to come and help protect their unique biodiversity? Come and join the The Conservation Volunteers CANAL CREW!
They'll be running volunteering activities along the beautiful Kennet and Avon Canal every Tuesday. The first session will be on Tuesday 12th May at the early 18th Century Sheffield Lock, near Burghfield.
They will be carrying out various activities to keep these historic locks looking fantastic. You will have the opportunity to paint the locks and bollards, carry out some edging, cleaning signs, brushing and many other tasks.
Like all their events, they will provide all the training and equipment you need, so no previous experience is necessary.
Full details are available on their website. Please click here for further details.
Helen Dean, CCB's Energy Advisor bring news of a new collective switching deal.
She said: "If you and your neighbours or community would like to save money on your energy bills maybe you should consider doing a collective switch?
You can register interest to switch collectively, it goes out to auction to the energy companies who come up with a tariff for those who wish to switch. Those negotiating choose the best deal, and it's offered to those who have signed up. They have no obligation to switch, but can then do so if they wish."
For further information please click here
The first big switch was organised by Which a few years ago, for further information please click here.
People who live and work in the countryside face a bigger battle than ever to afford their own home, according to The Fair Deal for Rural Communities report, from the Rural Housing Policy Review Group.
The Group was set up to consider whether progress has been made taking forward recommendations from various affordable rural housing reporters published during the last decade.
The report says that the next generation of people who need to live and work in rural communities face a tougher future than ever. The report outlines causes behind higher house prices in rural areas, and difficulties such as lower local earnings. The report makes recommendations to counter these challenges, including returning to local authorities the power to require affordable housing on sites of less than ten homes. Furthermore, the report calls on the government to require local authorities to set local targets for delivery of affordable housing for their rural areas against needs.
If you would like to speak to CCB's Rural Housing Enabler about the housing need in your community in Berkshire please e-mail arlene.kersley@ccberks.org.uk
The full report can be downloaded her
Article courtesy of Norfolk Community Action
Arthritis Care Awareness Week 17th - 23rd May 2015
Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in joints. Most people with arthritis will experience pain and difficulty moving around. Around 10 million people in the UK have arthritis and, like them, you can take control of your symptoms and continue to have a good quality of life.
Arthritis is not just a disease of older people – it can affect people of all ages, including children. It is not clear what causes arthritis and there is no cure at present. However, there is plenty you can do to manage your condition and lead a full and active life.
There are over 200 kinds of rheumatic diseases – the word rheumatic means aches and pains in joints, bones and muscles. Two of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For further information on Arthritis Care Awareness Week and the condition please click here: www.arthritiscare.org.uk/AboutArthritis
