Area Based Grants - Feedback to Council

We are receiving representations from groups about the Area Based Grants process and how this is being administered. As we did with the Council's recent Community Partnerships Commissioning process HVA will be feeding back to the Council the opinions of local groups. If you would like to comment please contact HVA's Director Steve Manwaring on steve@hvauk.org to record your views and experiences. These will be reported back to the Council in a way which reflects the range of opinion expressed and, where this is requested, in a way which does not explicitely identify the group. Let us have your views!

1m Small Grants Achieved

A few years ago Hastings Voluntary Action worked with others partners to form the Sussex Community Foundation - a new charity designed to increase donmations from companies and individuals and distribute this in small grants to groups in Sussex. Next month when its grants panel gathers for its regular meeting the Foundation will have given away over £1m in grants accross Sussex. To find out more about the Foundations Work or make an application please visit http://www.sussexgiving.org.uk/home/index.php

HVA Director Steve Manwaring welcomed the announcement. "Small grants are vital to the work of so many local groups. We are pleased that our association with Sussex Community Foundation has been successful and has reached the landmark 'million pound' mark. At a time when small grants are increasingly under pressure - Hastings Borough Council have recently cut their programme - the work of bodies like the Community Foundation will assume increasing significance.

John Routledge Confirmed as AGM/Conference Keynote Speaker

John Routledge has agreed to be the keynote speaker at HVAs conference “Communities in Control?” looking at issues of representation and involvement.

As a former Chief Executive of the Urban Forum and part of the Governments Active Communities Unit John has seen the issues of community representation from the perspectives of the Voluntary Sector, Local and Central Government. John is currently Head of the Voluntary Sector Unit at Brighton City Council. We are really pleased to have someone of John’s experience and insight to inform our discussion on this crucial topic. The AGM/Conference takes place at 9.30 on 16th February @ Horntye Sports Complex. To book your place please contact a member of our admin team (01424-444010) or e-mail pauline@hvauk.org

A New Home for HVA?

Hastings Voluntary Action are pleased to announce that planning permission has been granted for the creation of the Community Anchor project at Jackson Hall (Portland Place). We anticipate that work will be starting on-site in July subject to final approval from the Big Lottery. As well as providing a new base for HVA the proposed conversion increases the availability of accommodation for other groups will provide “incubator space” for new community groups as well as meeting and training space. Look out for more details in future editions of Hastings Community News.

Economic Downturn: How is it affecting you?

Hastings Voluntary Action are part of a task group monitoring the impact of the Economic Downturn on Voluntary and Community Sector groups so that appropriate support can be made available where this is possible. We are keen to hear from local groups about their experiences and the challenges they are facing as a result of the current economic climate. You can e-mail HVA's director on steve@hvauk.org to register your experiences, issues or concerns. Any information we receive will be treated in confidence and will be reported in ways which do not identify the organisation concerned unless you have given your consent for your comments to be attributed directly.

Come to our AGM and Conference

We are holding our Annual General Meeting on the morning of 16th of February at Horntye Park. If you can spare the time and you want to come along (perhaps because your organisation benefits from membership of HVA, you are one of our Statutory Sector colleagues or simply just interested in what we do) we would really like to take this opportunity to meet up with you. However, we do need to know who is turning up so please fill out this simple AGM Booking Form and return it to pauline@hvauk.org if you want to come along. Registration for the AGM starts at 9.00am and the formal business will be followed by an event called 'Communities in Control' about effective commuity representation. The structured proceedings will be followed at 1pm by a free networking lunch. You can download a full programme for our conference and AGM in PDF format here.

Hastings Borough Council's Community Partnerships Fund

Hastings Voluntary Action has taken a keen interest in Hastings Borough Council's Cabinet decisions made on 5th January 2009 allocating funding to voluntary organisations following its commissioning process and ending its small grants and transport programmes. We have reviewed the Councils use of this budget over recent years and, on behalf of voluntary and community sector organisations, published a Councillors briefing and analysis in the run-up to the Budget setting process to:-

• Highlight the 27% reduction in the CPF budget since 2004/2005
• Advocate for the restoration of the cut to small grants programme
• Call for the restoration of the link to inflation which existed until 2005/2006
  

You can see a copy of our briefing on the HVA website

ESCC Funding News

East Sussex County Council has just published the January 09 edition of its publication called Funding News. This can be viewed at:
http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/funding/updates/default.htm

County Council Draft Cycling Strategy

The County Council’s Cycling Strategy is being revised, it is intended to be the framework which informs and co-ordinates all policies and programmes of action which can help to promote cycling in East Sussex. The strategy will be available under the ‘Current Consultations’ section of the County Councils website along with a questionnaire which can be downloaded and returned to the freepost address provided. Further details at http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/consultation/current