Signpost January 2007
From Norfolk RCC
Welcome to the first edition of our new E-Newsletter
This new regular E-newsletter will enable us to give RCC members more instant access to news and information ensuring that the information you receive is appropriate and useful.
But communication works both ways and we want to hear from you!
We hope that you will also take the opportunity to interact more with us by e-mailing us with your comments and views on the information we send you and give us your ideas about what you, as members of the RCC, need to know more about.
This E-newsletter gives you information in a format which will enable you to pass it on to those people who need it most.
You can contact us by e-mailing nrcc@norfolkrcc.org.uk
Support your local economy
Norfolk RCC will be holding a Council Meeting, open to members and non-members, providing an insight into how you can support your local economy. The Council Meeting will be held during the evening of Wednesday 28th March 2007. Watch this space for more details.
Update on Post Office Campaign
NRCC Takes the Post Office case to Westminster
Tuesday 16th January 2007 became an important day in the NRCC calendar. A four strong team descended on the capital for a meeting with Norfolk’s members of parliament together with the minister with responsibility for Post Offices (Jim Fitzpatrick). Gill Withers the director of ViRSA – The national charity for community shops, joined our team.
This meeting was the culmination of the efforts from many rural communities who have asked us via our petition to take up the cause to maintain post office services in Norfolk’s Rural Communities.
We presented a case for improving service delivery to communities. This was based on providing a service that offers appeal to the whole community and therefore, through increased use, will mean that trade is strengthened and a viable business is created. The core of the idea is based around the creation of what we are calling ‘community hubs’. These hubs will offer products and services that the community needs and are designed to not only strengthen social inclusion, but result in much stronger and closer communities. The success or otherwise of these projects is dependent on wide involvement from residents. Some of our suggestions are quite radical and require a close consideration of what products the Post Office offers and also the way they are delivered.
The reaction from the Minister and our MPs was very positive. Mr Fitzpatrick called our proposals ‘constructive and positive’ and we were asked to submit these to the government consultation that is taking place regarding Post Offices.
All of our MPs were very supportive and after some discussion, it was agreed that they would work with us to move this project forward.
The fact that we succeeded in getting all of Norfolk’s political parties into one room, together with the Minister shows the concern that exists for this issue, a concern from all parties to produce a solution to this critical problem.
The success of this meeting is now dependent on the next stage of our campaign, which is to work with Norfolk’s Rural Communities and The Post Office to ensure that service provision is strengthened.
If you are concerned about the future of your shop, post office or any vital service element in your village, or would like to find out more about the ‘Community Hub’ concept, then contact Peter Smith or Jonathan Clemo at NRCC
Staff Changes at Norfolk RCC
In December, the RCC said farewell and good luck to Brian Clarke – Caretaker and Mike Cramp - Rural Housing Enabl, Tracey Perks - Rural Housing Enabler will be leaving in January 2007. We wish you all the very best in your future endeavours.
Starting in January are Terri Currums and Tim Godden - Rural Housing Enablers and Carol Kearns who has returned to work for the RCC in a new position of Access4Life Project Officer, a post funded by Norfolk County Council. We look forward to working with you all in 2007.
Meeting Rooms for Hire in Dereham for Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations
Two newly refurbished meeting rooms, for hire primarily to organisations within the voluntary and community sector, were officially opened in Dereham on December 15th 2006.
Following the identification of a lack of suitable, affordable, warm and welcoming facilities in the area, funding through ChangeUp was used to create the Batty Shaw Room, which will seat up to 60 people and is ideal for conferences and large training events and the Wheeler Room which will comfortably accommodate 14 people and is ideal for meetings or smaller training events. For more information, including costs and photographs, visit the RCC website at www.norfolkrcc.org.uk. Bookings can be made by e-mail at claire@norfolkrcc.org.uk
Parish Plan Information Events
Broadland District Council and Norfolk Rural Community Council are hosting a Parish Plan Information Event at Salhouse Village Hall on the 13th February 2007 and one at Horsford Village Hall on the 20th February 2007 from 7pm-9pm.
The purpose of these event are to raise awareness amongst the villages in Broadland that have not already produced a Parish Plan and to provide ongoing support and information for those that are currently working on or have finished a plan
If you are interested in attending either event please contact Janet Peachey on 01362 698216 or e-mail janet@norfolkrcc.org.uk
NRCC/Travis Perkins Final
In Norfolk we like to do different and that was certainly evident at the Turning Challenges into opportunities finals that took place on Monday night.
The competitions for the awards run by Norfolk Rural Community Council and Travis Perkins had been stiff with the three finalists providing an eclectic mix of projects.
The three projects in the final were:
- The Seal and Bird Rescue Trust’s innovative approach to introducing blind and partially sited children to animals in a safe way and controlled way.
- Methwold Growers’ plan to teach young people how to cultivate fruit and vegetables and provide quality ‘school grown’ produce to the local community.
- Magdalen village hall with its project to give the community access to information and communications technology in the village hall.
In the end there could only be one winner, the Methwold growers who will receive £1,000 but with nothing to separate the other two high quality finalists, Magdalen village hall and the Seal and Bird Rescue trust Travis Perkins generously agreed to increase the prize money to enable two joint second prizes each receiving £350
Martin Sizeland area director for Travis Perkins said “All the entries were of a very high standard and also entertaining. We will keep in touch with the winning teams to see how they progress with their projects”
Jon Clemo from Norfolk Rural Community Council said “We are very grateful to Travis Perkins for their generous participation in this event. This is the first time that we have worked with outside sponsors and we hope that not only will the winners benefit but that their projects will inspire other groups to find ways of meeting the challenges faced by their communities.”
Hempnall Village Hall Celebrates 25 Years
Hempnall Village Hall Management Committee staged a day of celebrations on 11th November to mark the 25th anniversary of the hall being opened to the public.
Refreshments were served throughout the day and visitors were welcome to view the IT Suite that has been a more recent addition to the excellent facilities available.
More information about Hempnall Village Hall can be found on their website: Village Hall
Wanted: Rural Researchers
Norfolk RCC is wanting to build up a bank of experienced people able to take on short pieces of research, consultancy and training work.
If you would like to be considered, please write and tell us why, giving some detail of your knowledge and experience. We would rather not have CVs at this stage. Further information about Norfolk RCC can be found on our website www.norfolkrcc.org.uk
Send your email to nrcc@norfolkrcc.org.uk by February 16th 2007.
A Great Day out at Gressenhall
Fridays 11 May, 13 July and 14 September 2007, 10am to 5pm
This summer, enjoy a warm welcome and a free cup of tea and a biscuit at one of three ‘over 55 days’ at Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse. If you’re over 55 you’ll pay a special day rate of only £4, so why not bring a friend or get together a group.
These three special days are part of Age Concern Norfolk’s 60th anniversary celebrations. There will be extra events and activities to enjoy, including craft demonstrations, live music and the chance to meet some of Gressenhall’s many volunteers – most of them over 55 too!
For information or group bookings visit [1] or call 01362 869251.
Rural News in Brief
Right Direction …………..
Post Office Petition goes to the Commons!
NRCC is holding a meeting in the House of Commons with Norfolk’s MPs to present the petition signed by over 5.000 people on the future of post offices in rural Norfolk and to introduce some ideas on the way the services provided by post offices can be maintained and developed.
LNF supports Jamboree
A £6,000 grant through the Local Network Fund to help set up the 46th Norwich Scout Group for young people with disabilities has enabled two members to attend the 2007 World Jamboree.
Diss CittaSlow Success
CittaSlow in Diss is poised to take off and put the town on the map with 40 projects focussed on heritage, the local economy, food and the delights of life in a small market town. Diss is one of three towns in England to gain CittaSlow status. (CittaSlow was developed in Italy and has now spread across the EU).
NRCC involved in Regional Playing Fields project
NRCC will be working with the other five RCCs in the Eastern Region in 2007 to assess the number, condition and facilities provided by playing fields in the six counties (rural areas). And then to provide support for the volunteers managing playing fields in order to make the best use of these facilities for the benefit of local people.
Wrong Direction …………..
Outreach Learning Centres to Close
The College of West Anglia has announced that it is cutting its support for three Outreach Learning Centres which means that they will close. This is following the dramatic cuts in adult education across the county. So much for life-long learning!
Likely closure of small local hospitals
With the new Norfolk PCT having inherited a £50million budget deficit from the previously separate PCTs, most small local hospitals are likely to close in an attempt to recoup losses. This would seem to be the opposite of government policy to bring services closer to local people and provide choice in a large rural county.
Increasing cost of meals-on-wheels
Norfolk County Council is likely to increase the cost of meals-on-wheels by 30%. This will affect a large number of vulnerable people many of whom live in rural areas. Is there an opportunity for pubs and schools to provide an alternative service given that they are already providing meals? There are some examples of where this is already happening.