News from CVA Blyth Valley – 22/03/12
Contents
CVA Blyth Valley Outreach Drop-in arrangements (standing item)
CVA Blyth Valley / Fairshares - Training opportunities for VCS groups
CVA Blyth Valley - Room for Hire
What’s on in Blyth, Cramlington & Seaton Valley
Citizens Advice Bureau – Information
New Hartley Community Centre
Newcastle Building Society - Cramlington
Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre (BRIC)
Digital Switchover
Next Step
PPL / PRS for Music
Consortia Support
Community Action Hub
Voluntary Sector Network
Adapt North East – Vacancy
Funding Information
Croft Community First Panel Neighbourhood Match Fund
Community Foundation
Rothley Trust
Architectural Heritage Fund
Sportsmatch
CVA Blyth Valley - contact details
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Standing Item
CVA Blyth Valley Outreach Drop-in Arrangements
We provide outreach services at local venues throughout Blyth Valley as follows:
· Cramlington Concordia (town council office) – Monday morning
· Seaton Delaval & Holywell Community Centre }
· Seaton Sluice Community Centre } Please phone Gina
· Seghill Community Centre } Robson for further
· New Hartley Community Centre } information on 01670 353623
You can drop in for a full range of our advice and support services or ring our main office on 01670 353623 to arrange an appointment at any of these venues.
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CVA Blyth Valley / Fairshares Training
Health & Safety incorporating Risk Assessment (half-day course)
The Health & Safety course gives you an increased understanding ofthe Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and European Directives with relevance to working practices within your organisation. The course will enable you to identify your current knowledge of health & safety stating your duties under the 1974 Health & Safety at Work Act, carry out risk assessments and have a good awareness of accident prevention.
Assessing Risks involves identifying hazards in the workplace, deciding who maybe harmed and how. The course will entail identifying hazards, the harm these hazards can do and to whom, evaluating the risks arising from the hazards, assessing the controls already set in place and how they can be improved.
Venue: Briardale Community Centre, Blyth
Date: Tuesday 17th April2012
Time: 9.30 am - 12.30 pm (please arrive 9:15 am for a prompt start)
Trainer: Gerry Hands, Priory Training Services
Cost: £10 per person
Introduction to Volunteering
As a potential volunteer there are some things you might want to consider prior to making a commitment.
Come along and find out what do you need to know from the organisation before you begin to volunteer?
Venue: Seaton Delaval & Holywell Community Centre
Day / Time: Wednesday 18th April 2012, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm (arrive 9:45 am)
Facilitator: Ann Broome, Wansbeck CVS
Cost: Free
Supporting and Supervising Volunteers
It is acknowledged that all volunteers should have support and supervision, but what does this mean – to us in our role as co-ordinators/managers and to our volunteers.
Venue: New Hartley Community Centre
Day / Time: Wednesday 16th May 2012, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon (arrive 9:45 am)
Facilitator: Ann Broome, Wansbeck CVS
Cost: Free
As CVA Blyth Valley have received funding from local trust funders, we are able to offer some of these training sessions free to VCS groups in Blyth, Cramlington and Seaton Valley, with some having a minimal cost. For groups outside these areas and statutory organisations the price is £30 per delegate. Places are limited to 3 places per group initially, although additional places may become available. If anyone is interested in attending these courses please contact us on 01670 353623 or email
CVA Blyth Valley - Room for Hire
CVA Blyth Valley has a downstairs small meeting / training room for hire. The room is fully accessible, holds 8 people comfortably around a boardroom–style table, and includes the use of a whiteboard, projector, screen, OHP and wi-fi availability.
Cost is £5 per hour / £15 per half day / £25 full day (refreshments will be extra)
To book and check availability please contact CVABV on 01670 353623 or email:
What’s on in Blyth, Cramlington & Seaton Valley
To view what’s on in Blyth, Cramlington and Seaton Valley please click here.
Citizens Advice Bureau - Information
Tax credits changes
From 6 April, there will be a number of changes to the tax credits rules.
There will be new working hours rules for couples with a child who claim working tax credit. In most cases, you and your partner will need to work at least 24 hours a week between you in total. One of you will also have to work at least 16 hours a week. However, there are some exceptions to these rules.
The 50 plus element of working tax credit will be abolished. No-one will be able to get it on or after 6 April.
From 6 April, if your income goes down by £2,500 or less in the current tax year compared to the previous tax year, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will ignore the change. They will use your previous year's income to calculate your tax credits. If your income goes down by more than £2,500 in the current tax year compared to the previous tax year, HMRC will recalculate your tax credits using your current year's income but ignore the first £2,500 of the decrease. This means the figure for your income will only decrease in the current tax year by the amount of the actual decrease in income minus £2,500. The full amount of a decrease will not affect your tax credits until the following tax year.
HMRC will only backdate a new tax credits claim for up to one month. Also, if a change of circumstances means your payments go up, you'll usually get the higher amount backdated for up to one month.
At present, your maximum tax credits entitlement is reduced by 41 pence for every pound by which your income exceeds the first income threshold. However, if your income is less than £40,000, this reduction in your entitlement stops when your entitlement is reduced to the level of the family element of child tax credit. From 6 April, the family element is no longer protected in this way. Your maximum tax credits entitlement will be reduced by 41 pence for every pound by which your income exceeds the first income threshold until your entitlement is zero, regardless of whether your income is less than £40,000.
Information about these changes is also on the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk and on the DirectGov website at www.direct.gov.uk.
Tighter English language test requirement for Tier 1 and Tier 2
Currently, non-EEA workers in the UK under Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 2 of the points-based system may apply to extend their stay in the UK (leave to remain) before they have taken or received the results of an English language test. This concession was introduced when the English language requirement was introduced to allow migrants to make a visa application for leave to remain before they had taken an English language test or received the results at a time when availability of tests was not known.
From 6 April, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is removing this concession and applications to extend a visa made on or after this date must be accompanied by evidence that applicants have passed an approved English language test. Further information is on the UKBA website at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.
New Hartley Community Centre
All welcome to an open workshop with artists Russ Coleman and Rob Walton on Monday 26th March 2012 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Pit Disaster of 1862. See attached poster.
Newcastle Building Society - Cramlington
The Cramlington branch of a local building society has launched a community programme, aimed at supporting local organisations and individuals.
Cornerstone of the Community programme aims to support you and your community in a number of different ways for example:
Your ‘Cramlington’ Photography Competition
Launching on 28th August 2012, the photography competition is a great way to support local artistic talent whilst giving them the opportunity to share, through a lens, what they love about their community. The winning photographs will each receive a prize. All winning photos will be made into a 2013 calendar which will be sold in your local branch, all proceeds will be donated to one of your local charities.
Cornerstone of the Community Awards
Launching on 1st August - the highlight of the Cornerstone of the Community programme. This is an opportunity for local people to be recognised and celebrated for making a positive difference in their community. Shortlisted nominees will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony where the overall winners will be announced.
Community Space / Noticeboard
Charities are being offered the opportunity to use space in their local branches to promote what they do. This can help raise profile and get more support which can make a real difference. Noticeboards can be used to display information about local charities, good causes and community based events.
If you would like further information on the Cornerstone of the Community programme or would like to get involved please talk to a member of staff at your local Newcastle Building Society or alternatively visit:
Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre (BRIC)
Are you aged 16+
Do you require free support with Education, Employment and / or career options?
BRIC offer support and guidance in:
· Care
· Construction
· Customer Servcie
· Health & Social Care
· Administration
· Energy Renewables
· Childcare
· CV/IT support
· And much more
For further information please contact BRIC on 01670 353817 or pop into their offices at the Eric Tolhurst Centre, Blyth.
Digital Switchover
Please find attached the latest information about the Digital Switchover for the Tyne Tees / North East region.
Next Step
Are you looking for work but unsure where to start?
Are you applying for vacancies but not getting any positive responses?
Join Next Step for an information-packed day to help you get back on track on Friday 30th March 2012, see attached poster.
PPL / PRS for Music
Urgent - Important news for all groups, halls, community centres etc
If you use music within your business, then under the Copyrights, Designs & Patents Act 1988 this is deemed a public performance. To lawfully perform copyright music in public whether via radio, CDs, TV, Jukebox or DVDs you require the permission of the copyright owner for every piece of music being performed.
A PRS for Music Licence allows you to lawfully play millions of songs, written and published by our members, and those of our affiliated societies throughout the world.
As a not for profit membership organisation, PRS for Music works with published tariffs* (price lists) and the licence cost is dependent upon the type of premises and music usage.
Please be made aware that the Joint Licence between PRS for Music and PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) would be applied to the community building. PPL collect on behalf of the record companies and the performers for the use of recorded music. PRS for Music’s Tariff CB for community buildings is calculated based on 1% of “Defined Income”.
Defined income in our Tariffs, includes all hire charges, door takings from events run by the organisation, subscriptions and profits from refreshments sales and other elements as defined in the tariff document and not purely music related income.
PPL'S tariff for community buildings will be very similar to the existing PRS for Music tariff. In particular, it applied to the same types of community building as PRS for Music tariff CB and uses the same definition of income. In summary, the PPL charges will be calculated as follows:
• For community buildings with an annual income of £10,000 of less: £42 per annum (subject to annual adjustment for inflation)
• For community buildings with an annual income of over £10,000: 1% of annual income..
If you do require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact:
Fiona Wardlaw
CVA Blyth Valley
Tel: 01670 353623
or email
Consortia Support
Investing in Sector Capacity
Consortia Support is a joint initiative from ACEVO and Neil Coulson Associates to provide support for consortium development and established consortia. By working together third sector organisations can access bigger and more complex commissioning opportunities. Our aim is to work with other organisations to effect a shift in the commissioning environment that supports the local sector. For further information please visit: http://consortiasupport.org.uk/
Community Action Hub
What can charities do to engage more young volunteers?
Volunteer managers must target young people and offer opportunities that are right for them and the beneficiary. For more information visit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/mar/15/how-charities-engage-young-volunteers
Voluntary Sector Network
Re-branding your charity on a tight budget
Build a strong business case for the re-brand: Do this from the start and involve senior management closely in it. Set up a steering group of senior staff in your charity to advise on progress.
More info at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/mar/15/charity-rebrand-tight-budget-advice
NCVYS Young Partners Award
The NCVYS Young Partners Award (YPA) is a celebration of voluntary and community youth organisations or projects who work in partnership with young people, involving them in the decision-making processes of their work. It provides an opportunity for such organisations and projects to demonstrate what young people and adults can achieve through working in partnership, sharing ideas and inspiring each other. Read more at:
http://ncvys.org.uk/Young_Partners_Award.html
Adapt North East – Vacancy
Single Equality Lead
Adapt North East are now recruiting for an experienced person with significant knowledge of the single equality legislation to work with voluntary groups and organisations across Northumberland.
This is an exciting time to support and contribute to the work of connect4change and take forward with VCS organisations, groups and communities the development of a Single Equality Forum for Northumberland.
The post is 28 hours per week initially pro rata £27,849 salary per annum. Application forms are available from www.adapt-ne.org.uk
If you are interested in the post and wish to have an initial discussion please contact Liz Prudhoe at Adapt 01434 600599 or email [