Vacancy for Assembly Representative – Central Bedfordshire Together LSP Board

There is now a vacancy for an Assembly representative on the LSP Board of Central Bedfordshire Together.

The representative must be from a frontline voluntary and community sector organisation and:

• have a commitment to partnership working and an understanding of community involvement processes; 

• be involved in strategic issues and developments in, and be able to contribute to decisions on behalf of, the voluntary and community sector in Central Bedfordshire; 

• be able to analyse complex issues, identify priorities and communicate information clearly; 

• have experience of representing the voluntary and community sector and/or local communities in public meetings and partnership settings; 

• have experience of contributing to discussions and debates on, and knowledge of, a range of issues relevant to local communities and the third sector.

Further details of the vacancy can be down loaded here or requested by email: cbassembly@action-centralbeds.org.uk.  If you would like to undertake this important role please submit a written expression of interest (maximum two sides A4) by 3.00pm Monday 13 June 2011.

All expressions of interest will be assessed against the selection criteria and shortlisted candidates invited for interview on 28 June 2011 (TBC) prior to the next meeting of the LSP Board on the 5 July 2011.  Where the Representative is employed in a voluntary and community sector organisation they will be expected to have the support of their organisation when undertaking the role.

The representative is expected to represent the broad interests of the whole sector from a frontline organisation perspective, not their personal views or those of their own organisation. [19 May 2011]

Let’s Talk Together Meetings

Following a successful pilot round of Let’s Talk Together meetings, Central Bedfordshire Together has announced dates for three more rounds of meetings [all meetings will start at 7.00pm and finish at 9.00pm]:

Cranfield, Marston and Woburn

• Thursday 2 June 2011 at Marston
• Tuesday 4 October 2011 at Woburn
• Tuesday 31 January 2012 at Cranfield

Sandy and Biggleswade

• Tuesday 7 June 2011 at Sandy
• Thursday 20 October 2011 at Potton
• Tuesday 24 January 2012 at Biggleswade

Shefford, Stotfold and Arlesey

• Thursday 9 June 2011 at Stotfold
• Tuesday 25 October 2011 at Arlesey
• Thursday 2 February 2012 at Shefford

Ampthill and Flitwick

• Thursday 16 June 2011 at Flitwick
• Tuesday 15 November 2011 at Clophill
• Thursday 8 March 2012 at Ampthill

Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Rural

• Thursday 23 June 2011 at Dunstable
• Tuesday 29 November 2011 at Caddington
• Tuesday 28 February 2012 at Houghton Regis

Leighton Rural

• Thursday 30 June 2011 at Barton
• Tuesday 6 December 2011 at venue TBA
• Thursday 22 March 2012 at Toddington

Leighton Buzzard and Linslade

• Tuesday 5 July 2011 at venue TBA
• Tuesday 1 November 2011 at Leighton Buzzard
• Thursday 16 February 2012 at venue TBA

Central Bedfordshire Council Together recognises it is important to have more people from the local communities involved with the work it does.  The Let’s Talk Together meetings give members of the community and local groups the opportunity to discuss their particular issues and concerns with Councillors and representatives from key organisations and services.

Let’s Talk Together provide an important opportunity for the Council and other providers to advise communities of the issues they are able to help resolve, and explore how they can work with communities to make a difference.

Let’s Talk Together meetings offer everyone the opportunity to meet with Central Bedfordshire and Town and Parish Council members, browse information stands where relevant issues can be discussed with representatives from key organisations and services.

The second part of each meeting, chaired by an elected councillor, provides a brief overview of the key issues raised at the information stands and proposals for addressing them.  The Police will also report on crime statistics for the area and discuss key issues, with progress fed back at the next meeting.

Let’s Talk Together meetings are a great opportunity for local voluntary organisations and community groups to get involved in their local community.

For further information  contact Sarah Hughes, Community Engagement Manager, Central Bedfordshire Council on 0300 300 6166 or email sarah.hughes@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
[19 May 2011]

‘What would you do if..?’

As we head into autumn and the weather worsens, the risk of accidents and emergencies increase – are you prepared?

The ‘What would you do if...?’ campaign, supported by the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum, aims to help everybody living or working within Bedfordshire and Luton to get prepared and consider what they would do if faced with an emergency.

BLLRF was formed in 2004, bringing together the key agencies required to respond to emergencies. Comprising local agencies including the emergency services, local authorities, National Health Service (NHS) and the voluntary and community sector the forum was created to ensure the best possible plans are in place should a major emergency occur. Through the ‘What would you do if…?’ campaign, the forum aims to promote the importance of being prepared and ensure people living and working within the county feel safe.  For more information visit www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk

Here are a few easy things you could do today:

• Enter the ‘What would you do if...?’ competition to win prizes money can’t buy
• Create an emergency kit – or get 25 per cent off the ‘What would you do if...?’ kit
• Stick a ‘What would you do if...?’ postcard on your fridge and fill in your emergency numbers
• Join an emergency training session or become an emergency volunteer
• Visit the ‘What would you do if...?’ website and find out more about the campaign, the risks in your area, and how you can be prepared for anything
• Encourage your employer to enter the ‘What would you do if...?’ competition.

By spending just a few minutes you could help turn Bedfordshire and Luton into the best prepared area in the country, and feel confident you know what to do, no matter what happens.

Promotional postcards are available at Voluntary and Community Action or can be downloaded here, and What would you do if...?’ posters can be downloaded here. [5 November 2010]