In your area
The information below provides links to sources of information common to all areas. Area specific information can be accessed through the links on the left hand side.
Looking for local support
Your local CVS (Council for Voluntary Services) provides support for voluntary and community sector organisations. Contact details are available through the NAVCA website: www.navca.org.uk
Local Government
Usually your Local Authority (Council) will have funds for the Voluntary and Community Sector. This funding is often in small pots within different departmentsand it is best to contact relevant departments that may fund your services.
Key departments that often have responsibility for funds are Culture & Leisure, Education/Children and Young People, Environment, Health & Social Care/Well Being, Housing, Regeneration. Local Government is buying in more of its services from the Voluntary and Community Sector under contract, although there are often small pots of funds for the Voluntary and Community Sector held by Town Councils and Parish Councils.
Town Councils
You can find details of your town council at website: www.direct.gov.uk/
Parish Councils
Details of parish councils are available from website: http://essentiallist.tagishws.co.uk/
Some Parish Councils have their own websites. Some are listed on: www.parish-council.com/fulllist.asp or can be found through search engines such as Google. www.google.co.uk
The Local Compact
A renewed Compact - the agreement which governs relations between the Government and civil society organisations in England - was published in December 2010 by Government and Compact Voice, the organisation which represents civil society organisations on the Compact. Click here for details.
Local Compact agreements are available from your local CVS organisation.
Health and Safety Commission
The Health and Safety Commission is responsible for health and safety regulation in Great Britain. Regional Offices can be found at website: www.hse.gov.uk
Skills Funding Agency
The SFA is an agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which funds and regulates adult further education and skills training in England. Its mission isto ensure that people and businesses can access the skills training they need to succeed in playing their part in society and in growing England’s economy basedin the context of policy set by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and informed by the needs of businesses, communities and sector and
industry bodies. More details are available from: http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk
Health - Primary Care Trusts (PCTs)/National Health Service (NHS)
The main function of a PCT is to provide health services locally by integrating primary, secondary and community health services and social services. PCTs commission general and acute services, invest in primary and community care and work to improve the health of the local population in partnership with local borough councils and others.To find your local PCT look at website: http://pctdirectory.com/
and for more information on health related issues use the National Health Service website: http://www.nhs.uk/
Education
Local Education Authorities oversee education services in Local Authority areas. There is a trend for services to schools and colleges to become their own responsibility (academies and free schools). Funding for these is more often being directed through schools and colleges themselves. If you wish to provide a service related to education you may have to negotiate that with each school or college.
