The voluntary and community sector employs a large number of staff and volunteers, and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

There are situations where the voluntary & community sector is better placed to deliver services to local people than the Council, as they have greater expertise, knowledge or local contacts.

Along with partners from the voluntary & community sector, we are working to develop guidelines and standards to improve working relationships, so that together we can build a fairer and more prosperous Nottingham.

Update on Small Grants for Local Communities - June 2012

The Small Grants programme for 2012-13 opened on 2^nd April and closed on 8^th May - the money available for 2012/13 is £200,000. This grant programme has proved to be in high demand with Nottingham City Council receiving applications total ling £471,000.

Although it is great news to have such an interest in these grants this does mean that there will be a delay with the decision making process - but we still aim to notify all organisations of decisions by 1^st July 2012 so summer programmes can still take place.

An initial assessment has taken place and those that did not meet the grant criteria have been notified. Letters have also been sent to other applicants about the oversubscription and delay.

Grants and Commissioning update

The implications from the Executive Board Commissioning Sub Committee Report 14^th March 2012 is that Nottingham City Council is developing a new simplified approach to manage funding to the voluntary and community sector. To allow adequate time for this to happen it was agreed that some existing grant arrangements will be extended until March 2013. The organisations affected by this decision have received letters informing them about this.

The proposed commissioning process for youth VSIP has been deferred to align with the new simplified approach above to managing funding to the voluntary and community sector in 2013.

Proposals have been made for funding for the remainder of 2012/13, and once approved, organisations currently funded until 30^th June 2012 will be informed as soon as possible about plans from July onwards.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the following people;

• Nigel Jackson          0115 876 2523                    Employment & Skills Grants
• Justine Darke          0115 876 4911                    Youth Grants
• Irene Andrews        0115 876 5506                    All other enquiries 

Surgeries with Councillor Liversidge

Councillor Liversidge, Portfolio Holder for Housing Strategy and Community Sector, will be available on the following Fridays to meet with voluntary organisations. Appointments are for 30 minutes and take place between
9.30 - 12.15pm.

For dates of future surgeries or to make an appointment, please contact Phil Hearn on 0115 8762183 or email phil.hearn@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

In order for information to be gathered, we ask you to book your appointment 
at least 2 weeks in advance. Please also provide the following information for a briefing note:

• Full name of your organisation and details of main contact.
• Brief summary of your organisation and its activities.
• Brief outline of main points, issues or questions you wish to raise.
• Names and roles of all individuals who will attend the surgery.