Have Your Say
A to Z of Influencing decision-making | Election 2009 | Neighbourhood Partnerships | Voscur Campaign Award | Have your say now | Sustainable Community Act | Your views | Community Empowerment | Bristol Partnership|
Representation | Guide to how your council works | Reps Reports | Campaigns | Viewfinder
Find out about the different ways you can you can influence decisions
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Welcome to the 'Have your say' page where you can find out about the many ways that you can influence decisions that might affect you. Whether it's a national or local government decision or a local neighbourhood campaign you can find out more on this page.
If there is an issue that you want to influence and are not sure how to, contact Matthew Symonds at Voscur by email matthew@voscur.org or call (0117) 909 9949
A – Z of influencing decision-making
Across Bristol decisions are made every day on things that might affect you. They might be decisions about the environment, new buildings, things for young or old people, decisions about jobs or transport – almost anything you can think of. This guide will help to show you some of the many different ways that you can influence decisions made about things that affect you.
Click here to see the A - Z of influencing decision-making
Election results 2009
Local and European elections took place in Bristol on Thursday 4 June.
Click here to see the local election results.
Click here to see details of the new Bristol City Council Cabinet.
Click here to see the European election results declaration.
Click here to see the full breakdown of the European election results for the South West region.
Click here to read articles from Conservative, Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors on the role of the voluntary and community sector in Bristol.
Neighbourhood Partnerships
Neighbourhood Partnerships are being established across Bristol to provide a new way to influence local decisions.
Click here to find out more about your Neighbourhood Partnership.
Voscur Campaign Award 2009 - Winner
Five diverse campaigns, more than 550 votes cast and one winner.The winner of the 2009 Voscur local voluntary and community sector Campaign Award is local theatre company Show of Strength.
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Show of Strength organised their campaign in response to the proposed withdrawal of their funding. As a result of the campaign they were awarded a further six months funding, then secured £20,000 funding for 2009/10 and a recommendation for a three year funding package from 2010.
Sheila Hannon from Show of Strength said: Show Of Strength Theatre Company is really thrilled to win this award as we've been campaigning against a funding cut for nearly a year. Our first appeal to the city council was rejected but we continued fighting and a second appeal is still being heard. A full council meeting unanimously voted us £20,000 at a budget meeting in February and recommended a 3 year funding agreements. We have two further appeal meetings, on 2 June and 11 June and should hear the decision sometime after that. We'll keep Voscur informed, and thanks to all the people who've been supporting us since last July, and who voted for us to win this award.'
The 2009 Campaign Award runners up were the Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft, Save Grove Woods, Disability Equality Forum campaign of self-determination and Feet for Purpose – Age Concern’s campaign for better foot care for older people.
Matthew Symonds, Voscur Development Manager said: "Local volunteers and community groups across Bristol give a huge amount of time and effort to improving neighbourhoods across the city and to make sure that the views of local people are heard by those in charge. As all the finalists showed, organising a campaign is a really effective way of influencing local decisions. The Voscur Campaign Award recognises and celebrates local voluntary and community action. Well done to all of this years award finalists who ran excellent campaigns”.
Read more about each campaign, what they set out to achieve and what they’ve achieved so far.
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The 2009 Voscur Campaign Award shortlist:
Disability Equality Forum campaign of self determination
Save Show of Strength
Save Grove Woods
Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft
Feet for Purpose
Disability Equalities Forum (DEF) campaign for the right to self-determination
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What did the Campaign set out to achieve?:
The campaign set out to stop the Council handing over the DEF to another Disabled people-led organisation without consultation and to ensure that the Forum members got to explore options for its future and to decide their own future.
What has the campaign achieved so far?:
The campaign has been hugely successful. It got the Council to consult, then to agree that the Forum could explore a range of options for itself and present the pros and cons to their members, to hold a ballot of DEF members and, finally, it got the Council to accept the decision of DEF members.
Find out more at: http://www.bccforums.org.uk/disabled/
Save Show of Strength
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What did the Campaign set out to achieve?:
To reverse the decision by Bristol City Council to stop funding for Show Of Strength.
What has the campaign achieved so far?
Over 300 people wrote to (then) council leader Cllr Helen Holland in protest, and when the recommendations went to the Cabinet on 31 July, Show Of Strength (SOS) were awarded a further six months funding to 31 March 2009. This enabled SOS to stage 'Trading Local' : 19 new plays by 19 local writers in 19 Bedminster shops. On 24 February a full council budget meeting awarded SOS £20,000 for 2009 - 10 and recommended a three year funding agreement. Despite this, SOS has to go through a second formal appeal in order to secure this agreement.
Find out more at: http://showofstrength.org.uk/
Save Grove woods
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What did the Campaign set out to achieve?:
The campaign set out for Grove Woods, Blackberry Hill, Stapleton to be compulsorily purchased from its existing owner and be a designated wildlife reserve as was the case with land at Royate Hill.
What has the campaign achieved so far?
Lots! In October Bristol Councillors decided to place a blanket Tree Preservation Order on the whole of Grove Wood. This means that even the smallest tree in the woods cannot be felled without a hefty fine and a requirement to replant it. Even more exciting is the fact that the 27 trees next to Blackberry Hill are now protected.
Find out more: http://snuffmills.blogspot.com/
People's Republic of Stokes Croft
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What did the Campaign set out to achieve?:
Community regeneration of Stokes Croft as a cultural quarter and outside art gallery, after decades of city council neglect. "Don't develop Stokes Croft - Let Stokes Croft develop".
What has the campaign achieved so far?:
It has successfully raised the profile of Stokes Croft and got people talking about Stokes Croft positively; improved the appearance of the area through urban art on what would have been blank hoardings; persuaded the City Council to refuse a number of unsuitable planning applications (albeit one has been won on appeal); started discussions with the city council on the future of Turbo Island and other sites; engagement with street drinkers in the area in activities in an inclusive way, accepting they are part of Stokes Croft community; promoted the importance of the hertage of the area as a conservation area. The campaign has also been fun with Stokes Croft fudge, rock, post cards and posters produced.
Find out more at: http://prsc.org.uk/
Feet for Purpose
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What did the Campaign set out to achieve?:
Improve access to basic foot care for older people living in Bristol.
What do you think the campaign has achieved so far?
Involved Bristol Older Peoples Forum, Age Concern Bristol,& Bristol City Council Linkage in working together with NHS Bristol to review current services & recommend changes to improve basic foot care for older people living in Bristol.
Find out more at: http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/feetforpurpose.asp
Invitation to nominate participants for innovative third sector campaigning research programme - deadline on Friday 3 July
Capacity Builders has invited South West Forum to be a partner in recruiting grassroots organisations to participate in a campaigning research programme funded by the Office of the Third Sector.
The programme focuses on the role of third sector groups in enabling the voice of marginalised people to be heard through campaigning and advocacy and empowering them to act as agents of change. Participation in the programme will be from smaller third sector organisations that represent and support marginalised groups and communities. The expectation is that the definition of marginalised will go beyond the seven recognised equality strands to include - for example - people living in or at threat of poverty and unemployment, refugees and asylum seekers, ex-offenders, people dependent on drugs or alcohol.
It is an action research programme and is not being managed as an open grants programme. South West Forum is now nominating up to three groups who would be well placed to participate in the programme.
The programme will support smaller, local groups to run a campaign which may not be linked with current networks of expertise on campaigning. The sum available is up to £20,000 for each of the groups selected. All participants must be from the third sector, have an income below £150k per annum, be prepared to be involved in action learning (up to 10 days from October 2009 - March 2011), accept support from an approved support provider to help plan and run the campaign where necessary. The campaign must represent support, or champion the voice of a marginalised group or seek change on their behalf.
If you would like further information or wish to nominate a local group please contact Georgie Constable, Regional Infrastructure Coordinator, on Georgie@southwestforum.org.uk or 01392 823758
Have your say about...
Ending violence against women
Spare a moment to complete the Home Office survey on ending violence against women. You'll be asked about:
- general questions about you and your views
- the sexualisation of young girls
- education
- personal safety (women only)
- impressions and attitudes
Click here to complete the Home Office survey
Have your say about...
The Sustainable Community Act
Find out more about the Sustainable Community Act.
What is the Act and why should you get involved?
Developed by a coalition called Local Works following a five -year campaign, the Sustainable Communities Act gained Royal Assent in October 2007. It aims to promote the sustainability of local communities and it ‘begins from the principle that local people know best what needs to be done to promote the sustainability of their area, but that sometimes they need central government to act to enable them to do so’ .
It gives local communities the ability to put forward policy suggestions to central government, via their council, before 31 July 2009 to promote the sustainability of their area.
The deadline for anyone to submit a suggestion was Friday 1 May 2009. The remit for suggestions was broad and indicated that suggestions must aim to improve the economic, social or environmental well being of an area or areas in Bristol. Social well being also includes suggestions that will promote participation in civic and political activity.
All of the suggestions made will be checked by Bristol City Council legal department to ensure they are eligible to be put forward for consideration by the Sustainable Communities Act panel who will make recomendations to the council cabinet who will make teh final submision from Bristol.
Click here visit the Bristol City Council SCA website page to see the suggestions made
Sustainable Communities Act panel
Bristol City Council asked Voscur to carry out the selection and facilitation of the panel that will consider all the suggestions made for consideration under the Sustainable Communities Act.
The panel made up from a cross section of the Bristol population met on Monday 8 June to consider the suggestions made by the public under the Sustainable Communities Act panel.The panle recomendations will be considered by Bristol City Cabinet* in July 2009. Click here to find out more about the cabinet meeting.
*Date to be confirmed
Click here to read the report from the Sustainable Communities Act Panel (Monday 8 June)
Click here to read Appendix 1, suggestions in rank order
Click here to read Appendix 2, comments from the panel
For more information on the panel contact Matthew Symonds at voscur on (0117) 909 9949 or email matthew@voscur.org
Join in the discussion by joining the Voscur e-forum
Have your say about...
The Bristol Development Framework
The Bristol Develkopment Framework (BDF) is the plan that will determine how Bristol will develop over the next 20 years.
Bristol City Council have now published a site schedule and maps, together with suggested uses, which were submitted as part of the Bristol Deevlopment FrameworkSite Allocations Call for Sites exercise.
Click here to read the latest update
To find out more visit the Bristol City Council Bristol Development Framework website
Have your say now on this...
Consultations
Click here to find out about consultations currently taking place in Bristol
Community Empowerment
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) state that 'Community empowerment is the process of enabling people to shape and choose the services they use on a personal basis, so that they can influence the way those services are delivered. It is often used in the same context as community engagement, which refers to the practical techniques of involving local people in local decisions and especially reaching out to those who feel distanced from public decisions.'
In July 2008 the Government published the White Paper Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power which aims to pass power into the hands of local communities. It seeks to generate vibrant local democracy in every part of the country, and to give real control over local decisions and services to a wider pool of active citizens. This progress report sets out progress made since the publication of the White Paper and provides a timeline for future implementation.
Click here to view the Community Empowerment progress report
The DCLG have released two reports looking at evidence and best practice in relation to empowering communities.
Duty to involve Guide published
The Community Development Foundation (CDF) has published a new guide to help local autorities and their partners to get to grips with the new Duty, inlcuding case studies and factors for sucess. Duty to Involve: Making It Work explains explains the legal obligations, challenges and practical advice to strengthen community engagement. You can download a copy from the CDF website.
New Open Space Guide published
Urban Design public agency, CABE, have published a new guide to help councils and their partners to develop open space strategies. The guide includes good practice drwan from CABE Space's support for loacl authorities to develop well-designed and looked after open spaces.
New reports on empowering communities to influence local decision making
A systematic review of the evidence
Click here to view this report
Evidence-based lessons for policy makers and practitioners
Click here to view this report
Click here to read the full Community Empowerment White Paper
Click here to read the summary of the Community Empowerment White Paper
To read more on the Community Empowerment White Paper visit the Department of Communities and Local Government website.
Your views
Your views give you an opportunity read about and join in the decate on topical discussion.
In May we asked Voscur members:
National Volunteering week take place between Monday 1 – Sunday 7 June
During April we asked a selection of Voscur members whether they volunteer and what benefits they get from volunteering.
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To find out what these people read Thrive! - the Voscur magazine
To add your own views visit the Voscur e-forum
The Bristol Partnership June Conference
Wednesday 24th June 2009, 9am - 5pm
Council House, College Green, Bristol
'Discovering how the recession can be your best opportunity to make a difference in Bristol'
Click here to see full details and to open a booking form
What is the Bristol Partnership?
If you would like to find out more about the Bristol Partnership, please visit www.bristolpartnership.org
Bristol Partnership Executive Board
The Bristol Partnership (BP) Executive Board has voluntary community sector representation from the Black Development Agency, the Care Forum the Cheif Executive from Voscur The BP Executive Board will focus on:
- Driving the city wide modernisation agenda
- Ensuring the future economic, environmental and social well being of the city
- Tackling deprivation
- Promoting equaluities and community cohesion
- Overview of the Partnership in its community leadership role
- Overseeing the delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) priorities, including the monitoring of the delivery of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) and Multi Area Agrement (MAA)
Bristol Partnership Sub Boards
Underneath the BP Executive Board will be five sub boards each aligned with one of the four key theme in the Bristol Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS). The sub boards will be:
- Prosperous and Ambitious Partnership Board
- Learning City - Children and Young People's Partnership Board
- Safer and Healthy City - Safer Bristol Partnership Board / Health and Wellbeing Partnership Board
- City of Thriving Neighbourhoods - Neighbourhood Partnerships Board
Voscur representation to the new Bristol Partnership
Voscur have held elections for representatives to the Bristol Partnership sub boards. Click here to find out more about representation
Who's who on the Bristol Partnership?
Click here to find out who is on each of the Bristol Partnership boards
Making the most of Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA)
The Office of the Third Sector (OTS) has produced a briefing for the third sector on how to make the most out of the new CAA local assessment process. The briefing explains how the CAA process will work and opportunites for third sector organisations to hold local government to account. Read Urban Forum's Essential Facts about CAA.
Representation
Voscur was originally set up to represent the interests of the community and voluntary sector at Bristol's Strategic Partnerships. We have proper systems of accountability and an open flow of information and dialogue between members and representatives to important strategic bodies.
Representatives are elected by the members annually. Activists who are interested in this role are nominated by a member organisation. See current reps below.
Click here to find out more about Voscur reps
Effective representation for the Third Sector?
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) together with the office for the Third Sector and the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) have produced a report on effective representation for voluntary and community sector (Third Sector) groups entittled 'Principles of Representation - A framework for effective third sector participation in Local Strategic Partnerships'.
Click here to read the report on the DCLG website.
Guide on how your council works
Two national voluntary and community sector groups have published a guide to help charities and community groups get the most out of their local councils. How Your Council Works: a Handy Guide for Community Groups has been published by Urban Forum and NAVCA.
Click here to download a copy of the guide
Voscur Reps Reports
Click here to see Reps Reports to the various partnerships
For more details on Voscur reps conatct matthew@voscur.org
Campaigns
You can currently support the following online e-petitions:
- Direct democracy (Until 1 Jul 2009)
- Save Summerhill infant and primary from amalgamation (Until 1 Jul 2009)
- No Heathrow Expansion - Electrify mainline London to Bristol instead. (Until 31 July 2009)
- To oppose The Daisy Field and Lamplighters open space development (Until 31 July 2009)
- No More Noisy Leaf Blower at Blaise, Use a Rake! (Until 1 Aug 2009)
- No billboards on Stokes Croft (Until 5 August)
- Petition to remove billboards on Mina Rd. (Until 29 August 2009)
- No to Amalgamation of Henleaze Infant and Junior Schools (Until 30 August 2009)
- A public transport hub at Temple Meads (Until 29 Oct 2009)
- New Bristol cyclepath across M32 motorway (Until 31 October 2009)
- Reduce the speed limit to 20mph where people live and work (Until 30 April 2010)
- Let All Bristol Decide (Until 5 May 2010)
Click here to support these and other petitions or start your own
Your views sought by viewfinder
Viewfinder is a site where using home made short films and videos you can have your say about all sorts of issues that may affect your life in Bristol. Currently on viewfinder you can give your views on Active Travel, Traffic Noise Pollution and State-of-the-art digital city
Click here to visit viewfinder
