Community Alliance SW Conference - Sustainability through assets and enterprise for community anchors

At Tamar View Community Centre, St Budeaux, Plymouth

Thursday 5th June – afternoon session
3.15 Arrivals and registration, with snacks and hot drinks, and a chance to look round the venue.
3.30 Welcome: Roger Pipe SW DTA Regional Chair, and Pat Patel of Tamar View Community Complex Ltd
4.00 South West Federation of Development Trusts – A participatory session looking at how a South West Federation of Development Trusts could play a coordinating role, and become a conduit for finance through the development of a regional asset base(s) and enterprise opportunities. What can YOU get out of it? Get involved in planning a new approach to support for development trusts in the SW.
4.45 Financing the Future: A session outlining the future funding and finance landscape in the south west and likely opportunities for members for developing assets and enterprise. An introductory overview from Stephen Woollett, Chief Executive, South West Forum, plus specific input from Sue Peters, Managing Director, Investments -Futurebuilders (Adventure Capital Fund) and Annie Popham, Investment Manager, Wessex Re-investment Trust.
5.30 Networking – A chance to catch up with delegates and key speakers to talk about your issues.
6.00 Before Dinner Visit: Optional visit to Devonport Community Regeneration Corporation
7.30 Conference dinner - 3 courses (venue to be confirmed)
After dinner speech –World Environment Day: Your Community – Your World Mark Hodgson from Global Action Plan/Envision

Friday 6th June at Tamar View Community Centre
9:30 Arrivals and registration – check in and then visit the trade stalls in the main hall.
10:00 Welcome and Introductions: Roger Pipe SW DTA
10.10 Setting the scene: Steve Lawton – The National Policy Perspective. Roger Pipe – The Regional Perspective. Presentation: Pat Patel from Tamar View Community Complex Ltd
10.40 Inspiring rural case studies: Rachel Elliot from Ibstock Community Enterprises Ltd explores the challenges and opportunities of assets and enterprise in a rural setting.
11.10 Tea, coffee and chat – and market place
11:30 Group Sessions 1: The first set of group sessions will focus on capacity building for Development Trusts and other Community Anchor Organisations. They aim to combine information about tools and approaches, with practical experience from real live examples/ case studies.
A: Cultivating Enterprise – use what you’ve got to get what you need!
Not got your first enterprise off the ground yet? Not sure where to start? Find out about tools to free up your thinking and examples from around the country….
Peter Jones, DTA and Rachel Elliot, Ibstock Community Enterprises Ltd
B: Looking good for the money! – Is your organisation up to the mark and in a fit state to attract significant investment? How to make the most of quality assurance tools to prove your credibility.
Hugh Rolo, DTA and Stephanie Linham, Community Matters
C: So you want to set up a development trust? - what is it?, how do they work?, what steps are there to start up one, and what help and support is available. Answers to all these questions and more with comment from an experienced member.
Diana Moore, DTA
D: Tendering for service delivery
What does it take to make a successful tender bid? Knowing how to approach it is the key ……
Karen Grannum , Strategic Procurement Manager Plymouth City Council (tbc) and Dave Chapman, Bassac

12.30 Debate of the Day Motion: This conference believes that pressure for South West voluntary and community sector organisations to engage in public service delivery will undermine the social objectives of community anchor organisations.
Debate Chair: Bec Clarkson, Community Alliance For: To be confirmed Against: Karen Grannum, Strategic Procurement Manager Plymouth City Council (tbc)
Debate Panel: To be confirmed
1:00 Lunch and Market Place (trade stalls), plus an optional 20 minute tour of Tamar View Community Complex.
2:00 Group Sessions 2: The nitty gritty of developing assets and enterprise!
A: Learn how to SWiM Sharing can improve your organisation’s viability, whether merely sharing certain administrative burdens, or major partnerships sharing in asset or enterprise development. An exploration of how it could work for your organisation and what has already worked elsewhere in the country. Dave Chapman, Bassac
B: The ABC of ABD – what it means in practice to take on an asset An introduction to the why, what and how of asset based development. Based on the practical examples of DTA members. Diana Moore, DTA and Pat Patel, Tamar View Community Complex Ltd
C: The Green Pound in your Pocket - How reducing your carbon footprint, particularly in community buildings can save you money. Helen Garforth, Community Matters
D: So where’s the money coming from? - Community finance options that can make your asset and enterprise plans a reality. Hugh Rolo, DTA Investment Manager
3.00 Keynote Speaker: Steve Wyler, Director DTA draws together the themes of the day and explores the future policy landscape for community anchor organisations.
3.30 Departures

Conference cost £0-£50. For more info and to book e-mail: admin@southwestforum.org.uk. Or by post to DTA SW Conference Booking, Unit 6, Cranmere Court, Lustleigh Close, Matford Business Park, Exeter EX2 8PW