Co-ordination of VCS Involvement in Decision Making

This project was developed in October 09 and its purpose is to improve communication and knowledge within the sector, and to co-ordinate the involvement of the sector in local decision making structures, particularly the LSP. The project will achieve this through the delivery of the following:

Communication & Information

This project will provide networking and collaboration opportunities for third sector organisations to address common issues or work in partnership. It will also develop existing communication tools like CVSR Newsletter, E-Briefings and Discussion Forums. The project will also act as a central point for the provision of information about the sector within the borough of Rochdale.

Policy Analysis & Strategy Development

The project will research local, regional and national policies affecting the sector, provide summaries for the sector and disseminate the information to organisations most likely to be affected. The project will also lead on the development and implementation of the borough’s compact.

Provision of resource library

The project will establish a physical resource library and will develop electronic resources for the sector to access

Co-ordinate involvement of the sector in the LSP

The project will develop and facilitate third sector thematic forums as follows:

• Children & Young People’s Forum
• Housing & Environment Forum
• Economic Forum
• Health & Wellbeing Forum
• Safer Communities Forum

The project will also facilitate and develop the “Thriving Third Sector” sub group of the LSP Quality of Place Partnership. This sub group will take ownership of the national indicators relating to a thriving third sector and volunteering.

The project will also provide training, support for third sector representatives involved in the LSP thematic partnerships and will develop communication mechanisms to enable representatives to keep the wider sector informed about the work of the LSP thematic partnerships