New this week...
Office Furniture available, Introductory computer course
from BITES, Are you a Neep? , 2 social enterprise workshops
in Aberdeen next week, Advice for Charities, free mentoring
support for third sector organisations and a new Social
Enterprise Investment Fund coming soon.
***Stop
press*** The BDP Toolbox will be updated again with all
the latest funding news on July 20th.
Office
furniture available - click here
to view. Must be collected from Craibstone by Aberdeen
by the end of June. If you are interested contact Alison
at the BDP office and she will give you the contact details.
Introductory
Computer Course on offer from BITES at their offices
in the Community Service Centre in Maud. An 8 week course,
2 hours per session, commencing on Friday 10th July from
10am - 12 noon. Cost: £50 and the course is ILA Funding
approved. To book your space contact Denise Belshaw on 01771
619181 or email denise@bitesonline.org
Are
you a Neep? No, this is not an insult! NEEPS (North
East Eco-friendly People's Site) is a rapidly growing community
aimed at anybody with even the smallest interest in the
environment, including gardeners, smallholders, crofters,
artists, crafters and anyone with an interest in sustainable
living. With over 300 members it is based in North East
Scotland based around an online forum but with regular get-togethers,
craft evenings, a food co-operative and big plans for the
future including the provision of educational opportunities,
the chance to gain new skills and to take part in a wide
variety of activities.
if you are interested in finding out more contact wildgarlic@neeps.co.uk
or visit their website..
The
Big Lottery funded Acquiring Business 4 Good programme
is designed to assist social enterprises across Scotland
with growing through buying businesses. They are running
2 events in Aberdeen on 29th and 30th June and you can go
along to learn more about how this programme can assist
your organisation. Please click
here for more information and to register your place.
Are
you a Charity worried about the effects of the current recession?
The Charity Commission and the Confederation of British
Industries (CBI) have joined forces to produce a checklist
of fifteen questions which they believe charities should
consider, to help them survive the current recession.
Although
the Charity Commission only regulates charities in England
and Wales, the questions are pertinent to any organisation
that needs to keep its head above the financial waters.
They cover strategy, governance, financial health and use
of resources and are headlined as 'Big Board Talk - the
conversation all charities need to have'. You can find the
questions and some pointers to further information (but
be aware that some links will be England and Wales specific)
here
.
Free
mentoring support for enterprising third sector organisations.
Support
in the form of mentoring is available for third sector organisations
who want to develop their skills.Supported by a range of
organisations including the Scottish Government, groups
can access confidential mentoring from business mentors
with various backgrounds. The assistance can last for up
to twelve months and can be on a one-to-one, group or on-line
basis. To get further information and find out if your organisation
is eligible, have a look at their website
.
Big
Issue Invest is launching a Social Enterprise Investment
Fund. This will provide risk capital for social
enterprises that have the capacity for scale, profitability
and significant social impact. They will be looking to finance
the growth of existing social enterprises and businesses,
but will also consider early stage businesses that have
a strong business model and management. Investment may be
used for a variety of purposes, for example, working capital,
asset purchase or acquisitions of other businesses, converting
them into social enterprises. Investments
will be from £50,000 to £500,000, with the possibility
of additional future investment depending on the success
of the business. They seek to be actively involved as a
strategic partner, typically through Board representation.
Fuller details will be posted on the Toolbox when they become
available but in the meantime you can keep an eye on their
website
for further details.
Aberdeenshire
Community Planning Partnership (ACPP) latest e-bulletin
is available by clicking here.
If you haven't already discovered it have a look at the
the ACPP website ouraberdeenshire.org.uk
which is full of very useful information, from shire wide
policy information down to local initiatives.
150
stacking hall chairs available
from Harvest Church, Peterhead in quite good condition -
FREE but to be collected. Contact Margaret Baird on 01779
838797 or by email: margaret.w.baird@btinternet.com
Comic
Relief Funding Programme announced - Click here
to view the new Programmes. . The funding for community
project has been devolved to the Scottish
Community Foundation and comprises a Main programme
and Express Grants for amounts up to £2,000.
BBC
Children in Need - Fun and Friendship, a grant
programme for disabled young people. This has opened for
short period with final closing dates on 31st July. All
information can be found on the Fun
and Friendship website.
18
funding surgeries are being held across Scotland
to help youth organisations apply to the CashBack
for Communities Fund (up to £10,000 available
for grants for projects which support young people who are
currently involved or at risk of becoming involved in violence,
alcohol, drugs and or anti-social behaviour.)
First
time applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a surgery
before submitting an application form.Participants can attend
any surgery, however to reserve a place they must email
Hazel Selby at
hselby@youthlink.co.uk providing their contact details and
indicating which surgery they wish
to attend. Details of the surgery locations and times are
available here.
NB Organisations seeking funding for
summer school holiday projects must submit
an application immediately so that an assessment and decision
can be made as soon as
possible. This will enable their award to be processed for
a July start.
Unltd
Advantage - is a premier investment
readiness programme in the social enterprise sector, preparing
social enterprises for introduction to the appropriate investment
provider. For
more information on how this could benefit your social enterprise
click here.
Funding
for Rural Communities - A further two funding rounds
for Rural Priorities will take place in 2009 - one in August
and one in November The deadline for completed applications
to be assessed in August is June 22 and for November it
will be September 21. Details of the SRDP programme can
be found on our Toolbox by clicking here.
Village
SOS! We're sure there are communities in Buchan
who could apply for this!
The
search is on for six UK villages with fewer than 3,000 people
with a great business idea that will bring new life to their
community. The best ideas will receive funding of up to
£400,000 each from the Big Lottery Fund. Go to the
BIG
Lottery website for information
They
are also looking for six Village Champions, enterprising
individuals who will work with the successful villages to
launch and run their brand new businesses.The BBC is looking
for individuals with a can-do attitude and a track record
of running a successful enterprise or project. Village Champions
will move to their new community for a year and will each
receive a £30,000 pa salary. Click here
to apply.
Their
stories will be followed for a major primetime series for
BBC One in winter 2010. Closing date for both applications
is 14th August.
Are
you looking for specialised help with your project?
Why not contact The Pool which
is Development Trust Association Scotland's (DTAS) new practitioner
consultancy service, a collaboration between DTAS and its
member trusts. It draws on the unique and very valuable
asset that lies within DTAS members, staff and wider contacts
- a wealth of grassroots expertise and knowledge of community
regeneration, asset development and cultivating local enterprise.
It has been established to give communities a consultancy
service made up of experts in their field and at the same
time further the aims and objectives of ,and generate income
fo, DTAS and member trusts. For full details click here.
Aberdeenshire
Health Improvement Fund has just opened. The sole
purpose of the fund is to support Health Improvement work
and address inequalities in health across Aberdeenshire.
The fund can be accessed by anyone who is working towards
improving the health of the local community or communities
of interest in a way that meets local needs and reflects
local circumstances. Grants normally up to £1,000.
Guidance on the applications including full details on Criteria
can be found here,
together with details of the area contacts for the Public
Health Co-ordinators who can provide application forms and
discuss your project. Closing date for applications is Friday
26th June
Sheila
McKechnie Foundation Award have asked us to
highlight the closing date of this year's applications for
funding which is 30th June. This fund can equip you with
the right skills to become a more effective campaigner.
ILA
(Individual Learning Acccount) Funded training
now available at Bites which has now become an approved
ILA centre. Please contact ILA
Scotland on 0808 100 1090 to see if you eligible to
apply for up to £200.00 towards a course.
Forthcoming
training courses at Bites include Digital Photography, Computers
don’t Bite, Computer Husbandry, MS applications (Word,
Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher), ECDL. NB
you must have ILA funding before registering on any funded
course.
For
further information on any of BITES courses, contact Denise
or Janet 01771 619181.
Social
Enterprise Mark - Senscot is hosting a meeting
on the Social Enterprise Mark (SEM) in Aberdeen Foyer's
Marywell Training &Conference Centre, Marywell Street,
Aberdeen AB11 6JF, from 2 pm - 4 pm. From the feedback Senscot
has been getting recently there is a growing awareness in
Scotland of the SEM but not a clear understanding of the
criteria or how to go about getting it for those who might
be interested. Hopefully, these meetings will help address
some of these issues. To book a place contact victoria@senscot.net.
You can find out more about the criteria for the SEM here
http://www.senscot.net/networks1st/shownotice.php?articleid=38
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Village
Halls - if you run a village/community hall have
you checked out SCVO's dedicated Village Halls website?
It's a one stop shop for news, information and networking
for anyone involved in managing a village hall or community
building in Scotland. There are lots of examples of successful
hall projects looking at funding, using renewable energy
and even how to process your bookings. Go to their website
to see what they have to offer.
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Some
new funding......Looking for funding for a Feasibility Study?
- then have a look on the Toolbox at the Scottish
Community Projects Grant which can fund up to £2,000
for Architect's fees as part of this.
Or
for a small amount of funding (upto £750) with few
strings attached and a wide criteria the Wakeham
Trust might be for you.
East
Grampian Coastal Partnership's (EGCP) Community
Grant Scheme provides upto £1,000 for environmental
work in their area.
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Help
with Renewable Energy projects - The Scottish Government
has developed a Community Renewable Energy Toolkit
packed with information on how to decide on the
best type of renewable energy for your community project.
It
does not assume any detailed knowledge of the topic and
so allows you to decide where to start - whether this means
looking at the basics of energy generation and use, or at
specific detail of a particular renewable energy technology.
For more information and a link to the Toolkit click here.
You will also find information on this page relating directly
to Aberdeenshire Council's advice on renewable energy and
to the Energy 4All
Scotland page which may be of interest if you are interested
in linking with others doing renewable energy projects.
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All
those interested in renewable energy will know of the Scottish
Government's SCHRI Fund. This has now been rebranded as
CARES (Communities and Renewable
Energy Scheme) for communities, with help for individual
householders being provided by Energy
Saving Trust.
All
the latest information on funding for renewable energy can
be found on the Environment section ofour Toolbox.
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Hhave
a look at the newly expanded Social Enterprise Section
which can be found under the Support for Small Business
section of the Toolbox (by clicking on the section to the
left of this page). Some recently added funding information
includes the Bridges
Social Entrepreneurs Fund
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Thinking
of starting a social enterprise but feeling
you could benefit from some extra guidance? If
so, the 'Starting your social enterprise'
programme could be just what you need.... and at a bargain
price of £100 for an 8 day programme.
Run
by the Social Enterprise Academy, in conjunction with Firstport
and Scotland UnLtd, the programme is taking place in both
Edinburgh and Glasgow this summer. It's an eight day programme,
spread over four two-day sessions with the first session
starting in Edinburgh this month. Sessions include understanding
social enterprise; developing your social enterprise; financial
issues and action planning and a final presentation of your
business plan in the dragon's den. Thanks to a subsidy from
the Scottish Government, costs are capped at £100
per participant. You can find further information and booking
details
here .
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Future
Jobs Fund - last month's budget included an announcement
about the Future Jobs Fund, which aims to create jobs for
those aged 18 - 24 who are at risk of becoming long-term
unemployed. A key element of the scheme is that the jobs
created should also bring some community benefit. Large
organisations and partnerships of groups have been invited
to bid for delivering the jobs and the Government are keen
to see Social Enterprises working in partnership with other
Enterprises or Local Authorities to bid for the funding.
More details are on the Futures
Jobs Fund page on the Toolbox.
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Fetterangus Community
Association success!
A
Growing Community Assets award of £380,443 will allow
the Fetterangus Community Association (FCA) to take forward
its ‘PUFF power’ project. This will enable the
local community take its first steps towards independent
green energy creation by purchasing and operating a wind
turbine to generate a sustainable income stream for the
community. Some of this income will be used to develop the
community hall run by FCA including a new kitchen that will
enable the group to set up a social enterprise called Puff
Pastry providing healthy low cost meals to local residents.
The project will also improve energy awareness by helping
local households with energy efficiency measures, such as
insulation and advice specific to their homes. The whole
project arose from two Planning for Real(R) exercises carried
out by FCA in recent years - it just shows what can be done
when the community comes together to identify need and works
together to take ideas forward.
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Attention
all Social Enterprises! Social Investment Scotland
is conducting a survey to find out about the needs of social
enterprise for investment funding. By completing the survey,
you will be contributing to the improvement and accessibility
of investment funding for social enterprises throughout
Scotland, including, hopefully, your own. As an additional
incentive, they are offering a website audit by Bannerman
Technology through a prize draw. The names of all organisations
that complete the questionnaire will be entered inthe prize
draw.
The intention of the survey is to improve investment products
for social enterprise, so that
packages are more relevant, more sector specific and more
affordable. The findings from the
survey results will be published on the SIS website and
will be the focus for discussions about
improving funding for social enterprise with Scottish Government,
social enterprises and
intermediaries with a social enterprise support role.
All information provided will be treated as confidential
and will not be used in any way that allows
the details of individual social enterprises to be identified.
The survey is being conducted by
means of an on-line questionnaire. The questionnaire seeks
your opinions about investment
funding. It mainly requires tick responses to the questions.
They estimate that it will take about 15
minutes to complete. The deadline for returns is Wednesday
20th May 2009. You can go straight
to the questionnaire at www.socialinvestmentscotland.com/survey.cfm
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Scottish
Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund - The
Government are putting funds in to supporting the development
of Town Centres. For details on who can apply and for what
click here.
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New
Fund for Sustainable Development Projects
- The
E.ON Sustainable Energy Fund has been developed to support
community energy projects which either result in the production
of energy from a sustainable source or which reduce the
amount of energy used by a community organisation. Grants
up to £20,000 available. Full details can be found
by clicking on theToolbox link here.
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Funding
for Forestry Projects - Details of two funds for
forestry projects have been posted on the Toolbox, one for
landowners nr towns Woodlands
In and Around Towns and one for community groups Forestry
For People Challenge Funds
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CVS
Training Programme - for details of the latest
courses, including Elementary Food Hygiene, Adult Support
and Protection Act and Staff Training , running under this
programme in June click here.
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Buchan in Bloom Aberdeenshire
Council’s popular Buchan in Bloom is open to all communities
and individuals in the Buchan Area who enjoy making their
communities and gardens look attractive for the summer months.
The competition will be judged on Horticultural, Seasonal
and Permanent Planting, Sustainable Development including
community involvement and Most Improved Village with three
prizes being awarded - 1st £150, 2nd £100 and
3rd £50 and a most improved village prize of £100.
Judging will be carried out in early August.
Applications packs are available from : Aberdeenshire Council,
Landscape Services, I Church Street, Macduff, AB44 1UR and
should be completed and returned by 12th June.
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New
online Aberdeenshire Disability Forum launched.
Aberdeenshire Disability Action (ADA) has been hard at work
developing a new forum for everyone to use. The new forum
is being launched to enable and empower disabled people
across the shire to have a platform to air their views,
concerns and issues.Click here to access the site and take
part in discussions -
www.aberdeenshiredisabilityaction.org.
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Launch
of the new Scotland National Rural Network website,
which replaces the Rural Gateway website, has just been
launched. It aims to connect rural Scotland in all its diversity
to promote economic growth and community development.It
provides news, information and networking opportunities
for everyone living and working in rural Scotland, and helps
them to keep in touch with similar communities in the rest
of the UK, Europe and beyond. Through the use of interactive
communication tools, it aims to facilitate the sharing of
common issues and examples of good practice by rural development
practitioners and stakeholders.
The
site provides help with finding out about funding opportunities
for a wide range of rural projects. It publicises events
in Scotland and throughout the UK and Europe which will
help promote sustainability and economic growth, and it
disseminates information about innovative social, economic
and environmental initiatives.
You
can access the website and sign up to receive their email
newsletter by clicking here.
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Attention
all Charities - why not sign up for OSCR news.
You can get all the uptodate news from OSCR if you sign
up to receive their free two-monthly OSCR Recorder. Register
to receive it by completing the simple online form at www.oscr.org.uk
- it's quick and easy and keeps your charity up to speed.
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The
Protecting Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 introduces
a new membership scheme for people who work with children
and protected adults. This will replace current disclosure
arrangements for people whose post requires an enhanced
disclosure. The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG
Scheme) is expected to be introduced in 2010 (an exact date
is still to be determined). This means that the way you
interact with Disclosure Scotland will change.
In
June 2009, the Scottish Government will host a series of
six free information events that aim to bring organisations
up to speed with implementation activities and provide an
opportunity to consider and discuss aspects of the PVG Scheme.
There is one to be held in Aberdeen on Tuesday 16th
June.
They
will include:
* An update on PVG Scheme implementation activities and
next steps.
* Discussion on the scope of regulated work in the children’s
and protected adults’ sector.
* An update on how the referrals and considerations process
will be structured and managed.
* An insight into how the PVG Scheme guidance will be structured
and presented.
* Round table discussions to enable delegates to feed back
views on the proposed scope of regulated work and the structure
of the guidance.
The
events will run from 9.30am until 1.30pm and lunch will
be provided.
These
events are free to attend, however places are limited. To
request a place please register on line at http://www.protectingvulnerablegroups.com
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The
Carnegie UK Trust UK has just published "Steps to successful
Community-led Service Provision in Rural Areas". This
is the result of a couple of years of research and features
some interesting examples of community/sports centres that
are being successfully run by communities.Click here
to download the study. One of the aims of the research is
"to advocate for a change in thinking and policy among
government, statutory agencies, and funding bodies that
allows them to enter into true, positive, forward thinking
equal partnerships with community initiatives that between
them have the ability, enthusiasm
and drive to create and sustain vibrant rural communities."
It would be good if the results of this research contributed
to that.
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Tourism -
some new funding
information for Tourism initiatives has been put on to the
Toolbox so check them out if you are looking for funding
for a project that will encourage more visitors to Scotland
- VisitScotland
Growth Fund and theTourism
Innovation Fund. You might like to look at the Tourism
Intelligence Scotland website which has a number of
helpful publications on tourism that you can download.
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BDP’s
Contribution to a major new Scottish Government Plan.
On Monday the Scottish Govt launched its 'Community Empowerment
Action Plan' in which the importance of strong local (anchor)
organisations and asset ownership is clearly recognised.
BDP was one of 12 groups selected from across Scotland to
contribute to this document and Maud Village Trust
features as one of the examples of excellent community development.
You can have a look at the document here.
Although there is no money set aside by the Government to
specifically develop the actions identified in the plan
the fact that Scottish Gov and COSLA have signed this joint
statement of intent is in itself no small achievement.
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Attention all Social Enterprises. There
is a Free
Business Know How Showcase Event being held on
Tuesday 26th May at The Citadel, Castlegate, Aberdeen 9am
- 2.30pm (9-10am Networking Opportunity) which will:
• Present business development opportunities available
now
• Share brilliant thinking for the future and remove
obstacles to progress
• Illustrate models of cost-efficient responsibility
and leadership
• Deliver learning and knowledge exchange
• Extend networks of support
• Give BKH delegates the opportunity to pitch, practice,find
mentors and additional support
Click here
to book a place and to find out more about the services
that Business Know How North East can offer.
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BTCV
and BTCV Green Gym Activity Programme
BTCV Conservation volunteers work a full day on sites throughout
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. They aim to improve the local
environment and access to it and increase biodiversity and
encourage wildlife across our area. An excellent way to
keep fit and do some good.
If you would like to find out more have a look at their
activity
programme for April to June 2009:
_________________________________________________________________________
Interested
in Community Land issues and the Environment? Sign
up to receive the Scottish Community Land Network e-bulletin
which contains lots of interesting information. Go to their
website to
sign up.
___________________________________________________________________
Help
reduce your community’s carbon footprint and save
money!
Does
your community have any groups who want to work together
to help improve the quality of life for present and future
generations?
The
Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund (CCF)
helps communities to realise their own projects for reduction
of carbon emissions, and so bring about environmental, social
and economic benefit.
Rural
Partnerships in Aberdeenshire - including BDP - are looking
for communities who want to be part of an Aberdeenshire-wide
joint project which will also involve SCARF (Save Cash and
Reduce Fuel) and the Macaulay Institute. It is intended
to be a two-stage project. The first stage is to apply to
CCF to fund a Project officer who will work with the communities
who come forward, to develop their own projects and who
will apply for funding for the second phase, to put these
projects into fruition.
Some communities are developing projects of their own. However,
one of the main benefits of participating in a joint application
is that communities will have the potential to learn from,
and support, each other and share expertise.
Examples
of initiatives your community group could undertake:
• Help people in your village/town to save money with
information on how to use less energy in their homes;
• Smart meters;
• Renewable energy projects;
• Improved insulation;
• Encourage people to walk and cycle more;
• Pilot low carbon food initiatives.
If
you feel this is something groups in your community would
like to be involved in, or if you just want to find out
a bit more about the proposed Aberdeenshire application,
please contact Dawn at BDP on 01771 613584 or by email
_______________________________________________________________________________
New
funding information is being added weekly to our
Funding pages so keep checking them out. Latest information
includes an update on the Voluntary Action Fund: Community
Chest which provides up to £1,000 and free training.
Click here
for information. For bigger projects have a look at
the Scottish
Investment Fund recently launched by the Scottish Government.
____________________________________________________________________
Make
the most of YOUR right to know! The Scottish Information
Commissioner has launched a new resource to support the
voluntary sector in using the 'right to information' provided
by Scotland's freedom of information laws. The new resource
includes a web-portal with guidance on how to use freedom
of information effectively and a telephone and email enquirey
service. Visit their web-portal
or call their enquiry service on 01334 464610 or email
____________________________________________________________________________
Do
you want to see walking and cycling encouraged in Aberdeenshire?
Then you might like to comment on a draft Walking and Cycling
Action Plan which has been prepared by Aberdeenshire Council
outlining the actions and policies that the Council will
seek to implement to achieve its objectives for increased
levels of walking and cycling, both or trips to work and
leisure purposes.
The draft Action Plan is now subject to a six-week period
of final public consultation and can be accessed from the
Council's website www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/walkingandcycling
Written comments on the document are invited by
email or by post to:
Mr Philip McKay, Strategy Manager, Walking and Cycling Action
Plan,
Transportation and Infrastructure, Aberdeenshire Council,
Woodhill House,
Aberdeen, AB16 5GB.
____________________________________________________________________________
Attention all Social
Entrepreneurs and Social Enterprises in Aberdeenshire!
Have a look at the new Networks
1st web portal which is designed to reflect
the collective identity of the Local Social Enterprise Networks
(LSENs) across Scotland. It provides SENs with the opportunity
to share information and resources online but it also takes
the form of gatherings, both regional and national. It is
a platform where issues of common interest to all SENs can
be aired. It acts as a broker and exchange of practical
help and support and can help with the establishment of
a SEN in an area.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Conservation of
woodlands: you can sign up to the Woodland Trust
to receive all their latest
information
To keep up with all that
is going on within Scottish Government
including all the latest deadlines on consultations and
funding information click here
______________________________________________________________________________
Attention all Hall
Committees: Marr Area Partnership has produced
an excellent publication called Your Hall :
A manual showing how to run your hall according to
Public Entertainment Licence regulations and customise the
information to meet your needs. This will be available in
late Spring on the MAP website but contact Dawn at the BDP
office for more information in the meantime.
Latest Community Planning
matters - you can click here
to get the latest Community Planning bulletin for Aberdeenshire
