Welfare Reform Information Day

Contact a Family Wales and Afasic Cymru are holding an Information day on all welfare benefits and forthcoming changes at:

The Interchange, 317 – 319 Abergele Road, Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL29 9YF

To reserve a place on the workshop, or a session with a caseworker, please email: wales.events@cafamily.org.uk or telephone Kate on 02920 396624/ 07904672614.

Statement by Denbighshire County Council

Denbighshire County Council

At its Cabinet meeting on 15th January, Denbighshire County Council allocated around £600k to support local community priority projects in its main towns (Corwen, Denbigh, Llangollen, Rhuddlan, Ruthin & St Asaph) . The projects were those identified as priorities in the Town Plans agreed by Council last year. Cabinet also agreed to extend the Town Plans to include the surrounding villages and more rural communities and held back a further £600k to be allocated when those priorities had been agreed. The Town Plans were developed based on consultation with local residents and businesses and it is expected that the process of expanding the plans to cover the surrounding communities will do as well. More details on the precise arrangements are due to be reported to a future Cabinet meeting to agree the exact process.

As well as putting extra money into the Town & Community Plans budget, the County Council has also rolled into the same pot, the Community budgets (revenue and capital) previously available for community groups to bid for. Funding will now be made available to projects that are agreed by the local community to be a priority and that make their way into the Town & Community Plans. Any groups with projects wanting funding should keep an eye out for information about how the broader community plans are being developed and should start discussing ideas with local community representatives to gain support for their project.

The County Council acknowledges that this is a change from the way in which Community Funds have been allocated in the past but is clear that it continues to see local community priorities as important but, in these times of reducing budgets, just wants to be sure that there is a robust way of making sure those projects that are supported are priorities for local communities and sees the Town and expanded Community Plans to be the way to do that.

Communities First is changing

South West Rhyl Communities First is changing and will soon be known as North Denbighshire Communities First creating one Denbighshire cluster.

We will be moving into new areas and exciting times lay ahead.
To find out more about the changes and the areas we will be covering, come and see us at the Rhyl library on:

Tuesday 13th February 12noon - 4pm
Wednesday 19th February 2pm - 6pm

Appointment of Members

TACKLING POVERTY EXTERNAL ADVISORY GROUP

Appointment of Members

Background on the Tackling Poverty Advisory Group

The Welsh Programme for Government sets out the key areas of activity to tackle poverty. To deliver this agenda the Tackling Poverty Action Plan was published in June 2012, which sets out the detailed contribution the Welsh Government will make to this agenda. The refreshed Tackling Poverty Action Plan will be published in June 2013 to display the progress the Government is making to Tackle Poverty.

The Minister for Local Government and Communities and the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services has responsibility for leading this work and, in May 2012, established an External Advisory Group as an important contribution to delivery.

Reason for appointments

The group comprises of a panel of experts in the field of poverty and currently has six members. We have identified gaps in the expertise of the group are seeking to appoint around 4 expert members to bring that knowledge and expertise. We particularly need expertise in the following areas:

• Poverty and Health
• Poverty and Disability
• Generic Poverty

Members of the group will be expected to have a clear understanding of the issues facing the Welsh Government in tackling poverty. Further details of person specification can be found in the Information for Candidates.

Members remit is to:

·         Provide expert, evidence based advice to the Welsh Government on the implementation and further policy requirements necessary to deliver the Tacking Poverty Action Plan in Wales.

·         Consider and comment on the progress of the Welsh Government in the attainment of its tackling-poverty targets as set out in Programme for Government and the Tackling Poverty Action Plan.

Members serve in a voluntary, unpaid capacity.  Members will be expected to be available to work a minimum of 4 days per year as the Tackling Poverty External Advisory Group will meet at least 4 times a year.

It is the policy of the Welsh Government to promote and integrate equality of opportunity into all aspects of its business including appointments to public bodies. Applications are welcomed and encouraged from all groups and we ensure that no eligible candidate for public office receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or religious affiliation.

 The principles of fair and open competition will apply and appointments will be made on merit.

To apply, please complete a short written statement (maximum one side of A4) setting out how you meet the person specification, supported by a CV. The person specification can be found in the Information for Candidates.

For further details contact Laurie Davies, Tackling Poverty officer on 0300 062 8097 or email laurie.davies@wales.gsi.gov.uk.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5 March 2013. Applications received after this date will not be considered. It is expected to hold interviews on the 10 and 11 April 2013.