Sandwell Policy and Intelligence Summit

We are in a time of vast change. For the public sector and its partners, deficit reduction will continue to lead to shrinking resources for the foreseeable future, and the challenge to make Sandwell a great place could become increasingly difficult. Key to the response from statutory organisations, the voluntary sector, the private sector and our partners will be policies that are driven by intelligence about what is happening in Sandwell.

Sandwell’s Strategic Intelligence Group, formed of partners in Sandwell, is hosting Sandwell’s first Policy and Intelligence Summit to help identify what Sandwell’s current and future intelligence needs are to help drive policy.

You are invited to attend this summit on Friday 21 September 9.30-12:30pm, at Sandwell Council House, Council Chamber, Oldbury.

The summit will involve thought-provoking speakers, including a key note speaker from the Local Government Information Unit, and workshop sessions for delegates to participate in.

A key outcome of the summit will be the creation of a work programme for Sandwell’s Strategic Intelligence Group. The summit will also help raise awareness about the key policy issues impacting on Sandwell and what intelligence is already available across partner organisations. Delegates will also benefit from the networking opportunity.

The summit will be of particular interest to Strategic and Senior Managers, Elected Members, Policy Officers, and Research Officers across the public sector, voluntary sector, private sector and partners in Sandwell.

To register for a place or for more information, please contact either Jenny Bakewell or Linda Dell on 0121 569 3979/3530 by noon on Friday 7 September 2012.

Places are limited. To ensure that a range of partners across the sectors are represented at the summit, places will be allocated on a first come first served basis according to sector.

Independent Panel Members wanted – West Midlands Policing and Crime Panel

On 15 November 2012, for the first time ever, the public across England and Wales will elect Police and Crime Commissioners who will be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force areas.  The previous Police Authorities will be abolished and will be replaced by a Commissioner who will be supported by a panel made up of elected Councillors and co-opted lay members.  The panel has now been established in “shadow” form and is looking for independent members. View full details and apply

SCVO AGM and Conference – 1st November 2012

This year, SCVO’s AGM and Conference is a chance for representatives from the Voluntary and Community Sector and partners to discuss the important role which the sector plays in Sandwell’s economy. 

You’ll hear from

• Tony Deep Wouhra, founder of top Black Country business East End Foods, giving a business perspective on the role of the voluntary sector;
• Geoff Walker, CEO of Sandwell Community Caring Trust, one of Sandwell’s largest charities, named in 2007 as the second best employer to work for in the UK by the Sunday Times, on how to take a businesslike approach without losing your uniqueness and authenticity.

Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG – appointment of committee members

Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG is the new NHS commissioning body for our area, which will take over from Sandwell PCT in April 2013.  As part of the process of setting up their committee structure, they are looking to recruit four people to their governing Board – two “lay members” (a Vice Chair and a Chair of Audit) and two “independent committee members” (one for “partnerships” and one for “strategic service redesign”).

For an overview of these roles, see the links below:

Advert for all roles

Vice Chair job description

Chair of Audit job description

Independent Committee Member – Strategic Service Redesign

Independent Committee Member – Partnerships

Anyone intending to apply should ensure they are eligible to apply for these roles by checking the CCG Regulations 2012.

If you are employed by a local authority or you are an Elected Member you are ineligible to apply for the lay member roles (Vice Chair and Chair of Audit). However, you can apply for ICM roles (partnerships and strategic re-design).

SCVO’s 5 Minute Communications Survey

SCVO receives lots of positive feedback about its communications, however, we feel that the time has come to review this.  We would be grateful if you would take 5 minutes out of your time to complete the questions within the survey and let us know how we can improve the information and format of our communications with you, at the same time as ensuring a cost effective service.

Express Interest In Winning Health and Social Care Contracts Collaboratively

SCVO urge organisations to come forward and express their interest in Sandwell Health and Social Care Consortium (current working title) and the opportunities it presents for the health and social care sector in Sandwell. 

Sandwell Health and Social Consortium needs to understand its potential partners in order to build its unique market offer.  By completing an Expression of Interest form, your organisation will be in a better position to be pro-activley approached to work collaboratively to apply for future health and social care related grants and contracts.

If you are delivering health and social care services or would like to move into this area of delivery as part of this collaborative project, then please complete an Expression of Interest form.

All forms will need to be completed and sent by email to: martind@scvo.info by 4pm on Friday 29 June 2012.  For further advice and guidance on completing the form please contact Martin Drayton, Collaborative Projects Officer, tel: 0121 525 1127 or email: martind@scvo.info

The Consortium Working Group consists of the following organisations: Action for Blind People; Beacon Centre for the Blind; CARES; Healthy Resolutions OHS; Ideal 4 All; Murray Hall Community Trust; Options for Life; Relate Birmingham; Sandwell Asian Families Support Service; Sandwell Community Hubs Co-operative; Sandwell Crossroads; Sandwell Mind; West Bromwich & District YMCA and West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre.

 

3rd Round Community Grants Now Open

SCVO are pleased to be working in partnership with the Black Country Consortium to deliver Community Grants.

3rd Round Grants of up to £12,000 are available to support local people to move closer to the labour market.

To be eligible, organisations must have a turnover of £150,000 or less. Further details about Community Grants and support sessions (including how to access support  for previously unsuccessful applicants) are available from SCVO Grants Page

SCVO Development Needs Survey 2012

The world is changing – and Sandwell with it.

Increasing demands are being placed on the Voluntary and Community Sector at a time when unparalleled spending cuts are happening, along with the shift from grant-funding to commissioning and the advent of Personalisation and other initiatives.

SCVO is inviting you to tell us about your organisation’s support and development needs in this new climate. This will help us to plan the services and training you need to better direct resources.

Please complete the survey as much as you can. If you have any questions relating to it, or you feel SCVO can help you in any way, please contact Saffi Price, tel: 0121 525 1127, or email: saffi@scvo.info

The deadline for responses is 23 April 2012.    The survey is also accessible from: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/scvo123

Sandwell’s Strategic Response – Gang and Serious Youth Violence

In 2012-13, Sandwell has been allocated ring-fenced funding from the Coalition Government to develop its strategic response to gangs and youth violence. 

Sandwell MBC are inviting voluntary and community sector organisations who work with young (and not so young people) to an event to discuss the response. 

Date:  4 April 2012

Venue:  The Public, West Bromwich

Time:  9:00am to 1:00pm

Sandwell MBC have produced a flyer with further details and if you would like to attend, please contact Amie Staples, Sandwell MBC,  email: amie_staples@sandwell.gov.uk   by 30 March 2012 to reserve your place.

Healthy Homes Healthy Communities Event

SCVO would like to invite you to an event it is hosting jointly with Sandwell MBC which is taking place on Friday 11 May 2012 from 10.00am – 1.00pm at the Sandwell Council Chamber. 

An engagement event for voluntary and community sector organisations to hear about the work of the Homes and Communities Directorate within the Council and to learn more about the priority areas of work and the opportunities that these present for the sector.  The Directorate’s area of responsibility cover issues such as:-

Housing and Partnership Services, Housing Strategy, Housing Investment, Housing Asset Management, Business Support, Neighbourhood Managers, Community Development, Community Services, Environmental Health and Trading Standards .

There will be an opportunity for you to promote the work that you do and also to start to explore how we can work more effectively together in the future.

Please view for the Agenda for the event.

If you would like to book a place, please contact Leona Bird at SCVO on 0121 525 1127 or e-mail leona@scvo.info by Wednesday 2 May 2012.