5%

Tonight I'm attending the Community O&S committee (right now), and I've suggested that we recommend to the Executive that we increase the community themed organsation funding via the Waverley Community Partnership, by 5%.

Not achieved unfortunately, but, we did as a committee make a recommendation that the overall pool of money available is revisited, in order to increase it specifically with regard to greater increases for these community themed organisation.

There's a few more opportunities to pursue this (Executive, and then full council), so watch this space.

Brand Battle

I'm blogging today in support of a charity called "Grassroots" that's based in Rowledge, helping vulnerable communities in the UK and overseas, and yet finds itself subject to a potentially onerous, and certainly inappropriate, challenge to its identity, by our government.

It was only launched two weeks ago, but already Hugo and Sharon Anson are being called about information on the new central government initiative called "Grassroots Grants". Not for a moment do I believe that this initiative is bad - it's a great programme to match grant giving by local funders. But, I do believe that this is an example of a government behomoth that has neglected diligence by not ensuring that its good intentions do not overshadow or hinder the work already underway by other organisations.

Hugo and Sharon have written to Jeremy Hunt on this, and I do hope he can persuade someone to make it loud and clear that this new programme is definitely not the same as their own charity.

Conservative Councillor Compassion

A colleague of mine on the Borough Council sent a wonderfully compassionate and passionate email this week, about the immense challenges facing all of us in the coming recession, and stressing our responsibility to provide as much assistance as possible by way of free advice and training services.

[Writing such an email - appealing to the core nature of fellow councillors as individuals community representatives, and not as political animals - is not as easy as it may sound, and can feel as if it is a little risky and vulnerable.]

As the Waverley representative on the board of trustees of Citizens Advice Waverley, I completely agree, and will be campaigning vigourously for the CA Bureaux to be given as much financial help as possible these coming months, with the main emphasis on the grants given through the Waverley Community Partnership. The process has started, with the deadline for applications already passed, with decisions being made in February. It's by far the main funding source for CA, and I believe that this year is not one where WBC can simply freeze the amount, or add a small nominal percentage.

Rather, I believe we're going to have to make some tough decisions (precisly what - in part - we were elected to do) and choose not only to fund CA and other critical organisations more generously, but also to choose not to fund other groups that in many years past, and in years to come, will be natural and deserving recipients of grants from the council.

CA Waverley - Second to none

Wonderful news. I've just heard that CA Waverley were runners-up in the CAB Volunteer Team of the Year Award 2008. In her letter Hilary Watkins (Chair of Citizens Advice) describes this as “an outstanding achievement in a field of exceptional candidates”. Congratulations to all at CA Waverley on a great achievement, richly deserved.

Vinvolved

Received a nice email today from Philip Evans, Youth Volunteer Advisor to a new volunteering project in Guildord and Waverley: Surrey vinvolved. I don't know Philip, but reading his email made me go the website and the opportunities look great.

Philip is specifically wanting to find out about needs in our community that can be fulfilled by young volunteers. Please get in touch with him if you think you can identify such a need, or possibly be part of a volunteering tearm.

SOS Part 2

And this time SOS really is an appeal for help. I never realized that there were so many different schemes for grant giving at Waverley. From the Sponsored Organisation Scheme to the Compensatory Grants to parishes. And including disretionary rate relief (one could argue) and certainly the voluntary grants panel.

There's a long history behind some of these - how they came to be, and the original intentions. A key question is whether they've become so static (except for inflation), that they are only grants in name. Should we review the way in which these things are calculated, or conduct a more root and branch review into why they exist in the first place?

SOS

I'm off to the council offices shortly - a meeting with officers regarding the Sponsored Organisation Scheme. It's a little early in the year to be thinking about it, but we're looking through its structure in an effort to think about how the guidelines and parameters for making awards are set, and what improvements can be made, if any.

What speed? What colour? What make? What model?

If you think you could answer the questions above easily as a car whizzes by, then you may be the perfect candidate for a community speedwatch near you! Speedwatch is a scheme to help people reduce speeding traffic though their community. It incorporates poster campaigns linked to direct action using radar speed guns and Vehicle Activated Signs, all under the supervision of the County Council. The use of the radar devices may not initially lead to prosecution (although multiple letters might) - drivers will get a letter from the police instead - but will help to underline the community’s commitment to reducing speed.

A Wrecclesham scheme was started up about 2 years ago, but recently has floundered a little due to difficultly getting enough people who can answer the above questions. Wrecclesham Hill was the prime target, with vehicles flying by throughout the day. What I have noticed though is the setting up of vehicle activated signs, which I happen to think are great.

What I didn't know though, was that there was now a scheme in Rowledge. A resident popped into our coffee shop at the weekend and happened to mention it, so I'm hoping to meet up with one of the organisers soon.

I'll blog some more when I have better information about how help's needed in both these schemes. But, in the meantime, if you're a Top Gear fanatic, you may be just the person we need. (Although the cars are not all likely to be Ferraris, Porsches or Aston Martins)

The Jackson F... Two, so far

Just over a week ago I popped down to the Wrecclesham Community Centre on Greenfields Road to meet Fiona Jackson for the first time. A long-term resident of Wrecclesham, Fiona has started up a youth club on a Monday night at the centre, and what success! 27 the first week, 33 the next, and already the need is confirmed, and new need for more leaders is created. It's wonderful for the centre to be used in this way, and the more leaders that offer help, the less that each one has to do on a rota basis. The two leaders at present could do with lots more help!

Fiona has many years experience and can offer the support and guidance needed. She does point out that a 'sense of humour and a laid back approach' are required! And, you'll need to undergo a CRB check as any volunteers would be working with children.

If you're interested in helping, please let me know, and I'll put you in touch with Fiona.

The youth club has been started as part of the Weydon and Wrecclesham Community Consultation (aka W2). Click here for more information.

to help, to aid, to serve

Today I was reminded of the generosity of volunteers, by way of meeting with the organiser of Farnham Assist, a group of over 100 people giving their time to serve Farnham's Senior Citizens.

To hear someone speak passionately about the selfless giving of time in order to improve and enliven the lives of others is inspiring. I met initially to explore some ways of buliding on a model that Farnham Assist have pioneered in conjunction with CA Waverley, and ended receiving much more than I expected.

If you're looking for an opportunity to give your time and serve others, please don't hesitate to get in touch with Brian Kurton.