North West Compact

A consultation on the draft North West Compact was launched yesterday 12th November 2008. The Compact aims to improve partnership working and relationships between regional organisations within the third sector and the public sector in the North West. The Compact provides a basic framework setting out the main principles and commitments for these relationships.

Regional organisations are invited to comment on a draft version of the Compact over the next 12 weeks. The intention is that a final version is adopted and formally agreed at a major Regional Third Sector Conference which is taking place on 12 February 2009. VSNW (Voluntary Sector North West), the third sector strategic umbrella organisation, are amongst those committing themselves to the new Compact.

The Commissioner for the Compact Sir Bert Massie will attend the conference and will oversee the formal signing of the Compact. The Regional Compact has been timed to coincide with the publication of a North West regional strategy.

The consultation closes on the 4th February 2009.

For more information visit Government Offices | North West |

Regional Strategy for homes and jobs in the North West

A new Regional Spatial Strategy that talks of “tourism and housing-led regeneration in Blackpool” was launched today by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

The Plan aims to raise the economic performance in the North West by supporting the provision of new job opportunities and reducing local inequalities whilst protecting the environment.

The Plan sets out to deliver 413,000 new homes (23,111 a year) by 2021 to meet housing needs.

It can be downloaded from the GONW (Government Office North West) Website.

REMINDER: Promoting 3rd Sector involvement in Local Area Agreements

Voluntary Sector North West and Government Office North West present

Local Area Agreements “How to increase the involvement of the local third sector in the North West in negotiating and delivering Local Area Agreements”

Thursday 16th October 2008 – 10.15 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.

Gujarat Hindu Society Centre

Preston

click for : final-laa-workshop-programme

VSNW in conjunction with Government Office North West is holding a half day event on 16^th October in Preston to promote the involvement of the third sector in the negotiation and delivery of Local Area Agreements.

The aims of the day are to look at examples of good practice and identify ways of improving the level of involvement of the third sector so it can be more effective in its impact.

Chair for the day is Jacquie O’Neill, Head of Diversity, Community Cohesion and the Third Sector, Government Office North West, and speakers include:

Voluntary Norfolk.

Claire Collen  who is the LAA VCS Coordinator will speak about how the LAA is building the capacity of the third sector

Sefton CVS and Sefton Borough Council

This will be a joint presentation about delivery of the Equalities and Diversity Agenda across the borough.

Audit Commission

Tricia Kilsby, who is the national lead for culture, which includes the third sector, at the Audit Commission will speak about the impact of the third sector on Comprehensive Area Assessments.

Booking is essential and booking forms are available laa-workshop-booking-form.

Report on Regeneration Progress in Blackpool

Government Office North West is the body that represents Central Government in the North West.  They have recently produced a first progress report on regeneration in Blackpool.

The report comments on the recruitment of Sir Howard Bernstein to Re-Blackpool the Urban Regeneration Company (see earlier article on this site); it talks about a significant £35 million into Blackpool’s housing market; it suggests that Government Departments may consider relocating to Blackpool.

And significantly, it praises work done by Government Neighbourhood Renewal Advisers to develop the third sector in the town and the benefits this will bring in delivering the Blackpool Local Area Agreement