Information from LVSTC

Central London Learning Partnership has an extremely useful newsletter – next issue 3 October Cllpinfo@cllp.org.uk

Community Development Qualifications through work based learning conference 29 September.

Outcome Grants from the Big Lottery Fund event

A series of events examining new directions in Adult Learning after the 14 – 19 phase, start 30 September.

Link up at www.cllp.org.uk

The Charity Commission has changed its main contact number to a local rate number : 0845 3000 219

The NCVO has launched a free membership scheme for small organisations with income under £10,000. www.ncvo-vol.org.uk

The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) was the Unemployment Unit and runs events and training. www.cles.org.uk or tel: 0161 236 7036 or e-mail events@cles.org.uk

The Community Alliance has been given £2m by the Home Office Active Communities Unit to look at ways to improve support offered to grass roots groups. The Alliance is made up of 4 national agencies working at grass root levels: Community Matters, The Scarman Trust, Bassac and the Development Trust Association. www.communitymatters.org.uk , www.dta.org.uk , www.bassac.org.uk , www.thescarmantrust.org

Cass Business School at City University , London offers P/T study degrees in Charity Management that can be studied whilst working F/T. www.centreforcharityeffectiveness.org , www.cass.city.ac.uk

The introduction of Local Area Agreements (LAAs), Safer and Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) and Local Public Service Agreements (LPSAs) place an increased emphasis on collaboration between the VCS and local government. The Urban Forum’s LSP (Local Strategic Partnership) conference online report gives an excellent overview (and detailed conference presentations) including the links with Community Empowerment Networks (CENs) and Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). www.urbanforum.org.uk/events/lsp_conf_2005

LAAs will be effective across the country by 2007. LAAs are operational in London East boroughs Greenwich (since 04) and Barking and Dagenham, Lewisham, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets (this year). Encouragement and opportunities for VCS to be involved in local services delivery.

Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister at www.odpm.gov.uk