StaffordshireCC: apply now for scc apprenticeship. call 01785 276112 or go to http://t.co/LKBnRvph

south_staffs: @communityjuice Glad it's not too bad in the north too. Some of the more rural roads are still a bit tricky though.

south_staffs: @handles4forks pop them in the white sack (like the pun?!) - both should be fine

south_staffs: Our bin crews are out & about but going a little slower than normal 2day. Leave ur containers at the kerbside & we'll get to them asap #snow

south_staffs: Morning tweeps. A bit nippy out there this morning. Main roads seem okay but pavements a bit slippy so take care if you're out and about

south_staffs: @handles4forks now that's preparation for you! :-)

south_staffs: Very cold and snowy out there tonight tweeps. Be safe out on those roads. @staffordshirecc are out gritting the roads #wmgrit #southstaffs

south_staffs: Have a great weekend everyone. Our #ff this week goes to @HuntingtonPC @StaffsFire @ChrisPresslie @VillageTimes1 @wardy244 @JasonForrest72

NAVCA has issued a six point test for local Healthwatch to make sure they are genuine grassroots bodies. To pass the six point test, the Government needs to amend the Health and Social Care Bill so that local Healthwatch organisations are not ‘statutory bodies’, which would create over 150 new local quangos. The tests include making sure local authorities take an intelligent, strategic approach to commissioning local Healthwatch, to give a strong voice to patients and local communities and to build on the current good work undertaken by LINks.

NAVCA has published the six point test as the Health and Social Care Bill is going through the House of Lords. There have been suggestions that the new bodies will lack teeth if they are not statutory. NAVCA rejects that view and is clear that there is no need for local Healthwatch to be statutory bodies - they can still have statutory powers. NAVCA believes that a network of vibrant community led organisations, answerable to local people, will have far more bite than over 150 unaccountable quangos.

NAVCA’s six point test also focuses on the commissioning process for establishing local Healthwatch. The legislation, subsequent regulations and guidance should make clear that it is inappropriate for local authorities to go out to open competitive tender on short term contracts for local Healthwatch. This is because local Healthwatch needs to be embedded in local communities. It takes time to develop wide and inclusive patient and public involvement and this would be jeopardised by short term contractual arrangements, which are also bureaucratic and wasteful. Using rolling grant funding agreements would avoid this. They need only terminated in the event that local Healthwatch is ineffective or in breach of its obligations to the local community.

NAVCA’s test requires clear guidance on commissioning local Healthwatch, involving early and wide engagement with local stakeholders, including LINks, host organisations, the voluntary and community sector, patients, service users and local communities.

Katy Wing, NAVCA’s Director, Improving Local Services and a member of the Healthwatch Programme Board said:

“By applying the six point test for local Healthwatch, the Government can be confident of creating successful, genuine grassroots bodies. To pass the test the legislation needs an amendment that will mean local Healthwatch organisations are not statutory bodies. Creating local Healthwatch as statutory bodies would make them creatures of the state - and we don’t want over 150 new local quangos.

Local Healthwatch needs statutory powers, so that they have teeth, but they also need enough independence from government to be led by local communities and accountable principally to them. Applying our tests would ensure local authorities commission local Healthwatch in a way which gives patients and the public a strong voice”.

NAVCA’s six point test for the legislation, regulations and guidance to ensure local Healthwatch organisations are strong, independent and genuinely grassroots.

1. Does the legislation enable the creation of powerful, grassroots organisations accountable first and foremost to local communities? Or does it create over 150 local quangos accountable primarily to local government or HealthwatchEngland?
2. Is there clear guidance for local authorities on how to go about commissioning local Healthwatch, that involves early and wide engagement with local stakeholders, including LINks, host organisations, the voluntary and community sector, patients, service users and local communities?
3. Will it be made clear that open competitive tendering on short term contracts is inappropriate for local Healthwatch? You cannot simply ‘buy’ a local democratic mandate.
4. Will local authorities be able to maintain ‘host’ arrangements, where these are working well?
5. Will local Healthwatch be able to act independently and effectively challenge the local authority, NHS bodies, commissioners and providers of health and social care services?
6. Do the new arrangements recognise the achievements of existing LINks and support a transition to ensure we build on what has worked well?

The BIG Fund has now released the results of the bidding for the Transforming Local Infrastructure bids.

Joe Irvin, Chief Executive of NAVCA said;

“Congratulations to all those involved in the successful bids and commiserations to those who have been unsuccessful. We always knew only a limited number of awards were available. What has been remarkable is the way that NAVCA members have supported each other through this process. Our members have demonstrated yet again the selflessness with which they go about their mission of supporting local voluntary action.”

“NAVCA will continue our work with all members to help them be successful and sustainable organisations. We will be working with the successful areas to help them make the most of this opportunity. For those members in areas that have been unsuccessful we will help them find other ways to be able to maintain and improve services.”

“Ultimately what is important is that local charities and community groups can get whatever help they need, wherever they are, so they can continue their good work in their communities.”

south_staffs: Stuck for ideas on what to do with the kids at half term? Book them on to our SUSSED programme http://t.co/6XkUPPRx #halfterm #southstaffs

StaffordshireCC: Ice and frost expected across the county tomorrow am. Gritters out at 5.30am. Wrap up warm, it's cold out there #wmgrit #staffstwitgrit

StaffordshireCC: Internationally acclaimed pianist Richard Meyrick is performing in Stafford on 28 Feb, 7.30pm. Book Your Tickets Now http://t.co/aPmfbQv3

A NAVCA report highlights the part its members play in bringing together the local voluntary sector to strengthen its voice. A survey carried out in November finds that most places have a local voluntary and community sector forums thanks to the work of the local NAVCA member. Local voluntary and community sector forums enable local groups to work together, support each other and exert influence over local decision makers. NAVCA’s survey shows that forums exist in 85% and that 84% of them were established by a NAVCA member.

Voluntary sector forums help improve services through their input into decisions about public service design and delivery, benefiting both service users and providers, which is many councils fund and support these forums. However, the survey shows that even when there is no funding for this work, it is so important our members do it. Half of the NAVCA members who support local forums do so without receiving any direct funding for this.

Neil Cleeveley, NAVCA Director of Policy and Communications, said:

“Giving local charities and community groups the chance to have their voice heard is vital work for NAVCA members, particularly those that speak up for the most disadvantaged people and communities.

“This report shows that it is NAVCA members doing this work up and down the country. The challenge for NAVCA and our members now is to make sure that the local voluntary sector has a strong influence over local decision making in every part of the country.”

Key findings from the survey are

• 88.5% of members said there was an LSP in their area, 90% of these have VCS representation.
• 85% of areas have a VCS forum.
• 84% of VCS forums have been established by NAVCA members.
• NAVCA members have a network of 160,933 local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups.

Read the full report

south_staffs: Great piece in today's @expressandstar - Moog moving to i54. They move in next wk!#economicboost #southstaffs #wolves http://t.co/m0Yfi6ue

south_staffs: Local event organisers are encouraged to promote their 2012 events on our popular 'What's On' e-calendar. It's free! http://t.co/CQtiQddj

south_staffs: RT @staffsfire: Almost 100 ppl in have had their HFRC following the fatal fire last week. Have u had urs? Call 0800 0241 999 to book it.