An active VCS: an essential ingredient

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An active VCS an essential ingredient
Philip Burton North Norfolk District Council
Sheringham, 17 November 2005
All together now...
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An active VCS an essential ingredient

• Context a few givens and assumptions
• North Norfolk demonstrates a vibrant and active
  VCS
• The VCS adds value and draws on a wide range of
  expertise and experience in the community
• There are many organisations of different size,
  purpose, scope and effectiveness
• The VCS can offer flexibilities often lacking in
  the statutory agencies
• The VCS must not be taken for granted or be seen
  as the cheap alternative
• Need to retain individuality but strengthen
  capacity and effectiveness through greater
  networking cohesiveness and improved access to
  resources
• Need to engage in the current strategic debates
  about the future delivery of public and community
  services

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An active VCS an essential ingredient

• An essential ingredient in......
• The emerging Norfolk Local Area Agreement (LAA)
• The North Norfolk Community Partnership (NNCP)
• Local Area Partnerships (LAP)
• Formal and informal partnerships linked to the
  District Councils new Active Communities Team

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An active VCS an essential ingredient
Norfolk Local Area Agreement (LAA) 2006-2009

• Theory and principles
• The development process
• The structure
• The outcomes
• The delivery mechanism
• Future relevance and potential

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An active VCS an essential ingredient
North Norfolk Community Partnership (NNCP)

• Status, membership and responsibilities
• Community Strategy Ideas into Actions
• Community Strategy refresh and update
• Revised priorities
• Emerging structure and focus of the revised
  Community Strategy, 2006-2009
• Stakeholder conference, North Walsham, 7
  December 2005

• Strategic overview
• Grant giving
• Community development Local Area Partnerships

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An active VCS an essential ingredient
Local Area Partnerships

• Locations
• Roles
• Links to NNCP
• Funding
• Opportunities and locality structures

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An active VCS an essential ingredient
North Norfolk District Council

• Continuing shift from direct service provision to
  enabling / facilitating
• Creation of the Active Communities Team
• Area Forums
• New Corporate Plan, 2006-2009 includes Active and
  Sustainable Communities as a headline priority
• Review of partnerships and partnership working
• Review of procurement
• VCS seen as not only a provider but also as a
  prime mover in encouraging and sustaining active
  communities

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An active VCS an essential ingredient
Summary

• VCS well embedded in North Norfolk
• Needs better resource/capacity infrastructure to
  enhance volunteering and further strengthen
  effectiveness
• Key strategic developments and decision-making
  currently underway
• Great opportunities not to be missed

All together now...