 |
Civic Voice news alert |
www.civicvoice.org.uk | 0151 708 9920 | info@civicvoice.org.uk | 
@civic_voice
The second live discussion will be held on Civic Voice’s on-line Forum at 1pm on Tuesday 29 June for one hour. Join the Forum and discuss with Tony Burton and other civic society volunteers the priorities for Civic Voice’s campaign on the planning system. A radical overhaul of planning laws and policies is promised by the Coalition Government – where should Civic Voice focus its effort? And don’t forget to vote in Civic Voice’s poll on priorities for planning reform at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk
Current results in our poll are
- Right to appeal against grant of permission (56.32%)
- Earlier involvement of local communities (11.49%)
- New safeguards for locally important buildings (9.2%)
- Stronger curbs on out of town development (11.49%)
- Green space better protected (11.49%)
Please join us on 29 June - it only takes a minute to register to share your views if you follow these instructions
- Click www.civicvoice.org.uk/forums
- Click Register (top of page)
- Fill in the member registration
- You will be sent an email (to the email address you registered with) containing a link to activate your account.
- Click the link and your account will be activated
|
========================================================================
 |
your voice |
www.civicvoice.org.uk | 0151 708 9920 | info@civicvoice.org.uk | 
@civic_voice
|
Welcome to this third issue of your voice with exciting news about a Civic Day in 2011, our first AGM, a President for Civic Voice and awards for your newsletters and websites
What you can do
your voice includes a number of suggestions for things you can do. These are summarised in the checklist of actions below:
- Put 25th June 2011 in your diary as Civic Day and plan an activity which promotes your area, showcases your work and attracts new support to your civic society
- Register for Civic Voice’s first AGM on 8 & 9 October 2010 in Peterborough
- Enter your website or newsletter into Civic Voice’s awards
- Look at the opportunities to volunteer for Civic Voice
- Join Civic Voice Live on 29 June to discuss priorities for planning reform with Tony Burton
In this issue
Saturday June 25th 2011 has been identified as Civic Day – marking the centrepiece of a new initiative for civic societies to celebrate their area and promote their role.
The idea of Civic Day builds on similar initiatives by different civic societies and many suggestions that Civic Voice gives these a boost. The proposals stimulated a lot of debate and positive feedback on the discussion forum during the first Civic Voice Live. View the discussion here.
Civic Day is a point in the calendar where all civic societies are being encouraged to put on an event or activity which celebrates their area and encourages more people to join or get involved. It is for every civic society to decide how best to showcase their activities. Civic Voice’s role will be to raise the profile, share ideas, support civic societies with information and materials and seek sponsorship. We will also be exploring the potential for a theme which groups might pick up, such as a focus on young citizens given the overwhelming desire from civic societies during last year’s discussions to see more activity working with young people.
One of the most successful exisiting initiatives is Civic Societies Week in Yorkshire and Humber which is now in its third year. You can read more about Civic Societies Week here
A small group of volunteers led by trustees Freddie Gick and Paul Myers has been set up to develop and deliver Civic Day in 2011. Let them have your thoughts and ideas via info@civicvoice.org.uk and start planning what you can do to celebrate Civic Day now. Alternatively post your comments to the discussion forum for others to see here.
More information about Civic Day will be made available soon on the website here, including a briefing addressing a number of the questions being asked.
return to start
Civic Voice’s first AGM will be held in Peterborough on 9 October, preceded on the 8th by an afternoon of visits and an evening reception and cultural event. The event is being hosted by Peterborough Civic Society. All Civic Voice members are entitled to attend.
The full programme is being finalised and is expected to include a visit to the country’s first Conservation Area in Stamford as well as a Mayor’s reception and an opportunity to meet Civic Voice’s Chair, Paula Ridley. We would welcome your thoughts and suggestions for making the event a success. The cost will be £20 per head and delegates will need to arrange their own accommodation. There is no charge for attending the AGM business. The venue is the Great Northern Hotel, opposite Peterborough Railway Station.
Book your place and find out more information here
return to start
We are delighted to announce that Griff Rhys Jones has accepted the Board’s invitation to become President of Civic Voice. Griff’s commitment to the civic movement is second to none and he is an ideal ambassador to help raise our profile and influence. We will be making a public announcement in late July. The latest Board minutes can be read here
return to start
 Civic society websites and newsletters are the most important ways we communicate our cause. A good newsletter is indispensable in retaining and recruiting members and volunteers and it reflects the activity and ambition of your group. The best websites are not only a source of information but also a place where interactive discussions take place and information is shared and publicised. We are pleased to announce Civic Voice’s first awards for the best website and newsletter – these are being supported by the specialist communications agency Forster. Are you proud of your civic society’s website or newsletter? Do you want it to have the recognition it deserves? Then nominate it before the end of August for Civic Voice’s first awards. The best nominations will go to a popular vote among civic society members and volunteers with the results announced at the October AGM. Download your nomination form(s) here
return to start
No sooner have we celebrated 200 than our 250thmember joins. Civic Voice is getting stronger by the day as a result of your support and we now have civic societies with over 61,000 members between them. This growth is vital if we are to build the sustainable and financially independent organisation which the civic movement has called for.
return to start
The second live discussion will be held on Civic Voice’s on-line Forum at 1pm on Tuesday 29 June for one hour. Join the Forum and discuss with Tony Burton and other civic society volunteers the priorities for Civic Voice’s campaign on the planning system. A radical overhaul of planning laws and policies is promised by the Coalition Government – where should Civic Voice focus its effort? And don’t forget to vote in Civic Voice’s poll on priorities for planning reform at www.civicvoice.org.uk
Please join us on 29 June - it only takes a minute to register to share your views if you follow these instructions
- On www.civicvoice.org.uk click Join Forum (foot of page)
- Click Register (top of page)
- Fill in the member registration
- You will be sent an email (to the email address you registered with) containing a link to activate your account.
- Click the link and your account will be activated
- You can now participate in the discussion
You can register for the forum here
return to start
Civic Voice is run on a shoestring of just two staff and depends on volunteer support to be effective. We have received a number of enquiries from people wanting to know how to volunteer. The following opportunities are available with more information on the website here
- Office support
- Website
- Policy analysis
- Campaign networks
- Planning reform
- Photographs
return to start
We have received a number of offers to help Civic Voice campaign and questions about how we go about it. These are early days and we want to hear more from you about what works best but three approaches are already becoming apparent.
National-local campaigns– These are the campaigns where local actions can be added together to make a big national impact. Two current examples are Street Pride and Love Local. Here the surveys and information provided by local civic societies and others can not only be used locally but also brought together to influence national debate. These campaigns are quite demanding on time and resources and so there are only likely to be a few running at any one time.
Campaign networks– Civic Voice’s principle strength lies in the knowledge and experience of volunteers across the country and their commitment to making places more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive. With a small staff and limited resources we can only begin to do justice to the myriad issues of interest to the civic movement through volunteer commitment. Where there is a volunteer willing to lead on an issue and support a network of others who share their interest then we will be able to do much more. The staff can raise issues through bulletins and handle some of the communications and lobbying but we have far more volunteer resources than staff. The range of issues falling into this category is seemingly endless – already there is interest in coastal towns, blue plaques, core cities, high speed rail, development by canals, heritage towns, billboard advertising, licensing and the night time economy, local listing, conservation areas and the lack of local authority conservation staff to name but a few. To tackle all this we will need more volunteer support and people coming forward to take the lead.
Lobbying– Many campaigns have a focus on changing the law or influencing policy or spending decisions. These will be most successful where Civic Voice has a clear evidence base for the case we are making. The best evidence is the day to day experience of civic societies in knowing what works and what doesn’t and we need case studies and examples to support our cause. Tony Burton is meeting Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman; Transport Minister, Norman Baker; Planning Minister, Bob Neill and Civil Society Minister, Nick Hurd. With your evidence and example he can put your case direct to those in power.
We are also looking for volunteers to help inform Civic Voice’s responses to Government and other consultations and inquiries. Current lobbying priorities include reforms to the planning system, street clutter, local democracy and High Speed Rail.
If you want to find out more or put yourself forward to support Civic Voice’s campaigns then let us know on info@civicvoice.org.uk. We’re also keen to know what you think we should prioritise, remembering we can only work on as many issues as we have volunteers and staff to support.
return to start
Civic Voice's website is growing and there's lots of useful material to help strengthen civic societies. Click on the headline below to access this material and tell us what else you think would be helpful
Look for volunteers?
How to raise funds?
Need a photo?
return to start
NCVO has teamed up with the RSA and a wide range of voluntary organisations to examine the ins and outs of membership. Their report makes for fascinating reading, exploring how the reasons why people join organisations are changing and ideas for what might be done in response. Why join when so much information is now available free? How can I not only join but also participate in any group that has me as a member? If people give time then can they be expected to give money? Is signing up to an online network the same as joining an organisation? These and other questions are growing in importance.
Read the report here
return to start
Why not join the fastest growing movement in England making the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive. Only through a growing membership can Civic Voice become independent: supported by the civic movement, for the civic movement.
As well as signing up your local group why not become an individual member – it’s just £10.
Join here
return to start
Oxford Civic Society has used the Love Local survey to gather the views of over 400 members. As well as providing information about what they care about in Oxford, it provides a useful steer to shape the Civic Society's campaign priorities for the future.
What have you done with the Love Local survey? We know some groups including the City of Winchester Trust have contacted their new MP to encourage them to fill in the survey. Download a copy here and send it to your MP or use the online survey here to submit your own thoughts. Don’t forget to return completed copies to Civic Voice at info@civicvoice.org.uk so we can build a national picture.
return to start
The Big Lunch, an Eden Project initiative, is inviting people to sit down and have lunch with their neighbours, in the middle of the street on Sunday 18th July. Last year730,000 people ate at 8,000 Lunches all across the UK – the biggest set of street parties since the Golden Jubilee. It’s easy to get involved - for free Big Lunch, tips, inspiration and resources visit www.thebiglunch.com, have a chat with the team on 0845 850 8181 or email info@thebiglunch.com
return to start
An explosion of interest in tree planting is expected over the next few years with a new Government campaign and extra resources. The time is ripe to look around your area and identify where would benefit. To get things going the Woodland Trust is giving away free tree packs to community groups – first come first served.
Find out more here
return to start
Case studies
Peterborough Civic Society and Peterborough City Council are working together to prepare a revised list of Buildings of Local Importance (BLI) for the district. Local lists are becoming more important and emerging as a lobbying priority for Civic Voice. English Heritage is also preparing new guidelines. What can we do to raise their profile?
read more here
return to start
Read how Marple Civic Society more than doubled it membership by using the Electoral Register and personal invitations to join
read more here
return to start
Many civic societies would like to engage in projects that reach a younger audience. Buntingford Civic Society is one with projects underway.
read more here
return to start |
In this issue
Make a date for Civic Day
AGM 8 & 9 October Peterborough
Griff for President
Civic Voice awards for the best website and newsletter
Dont blink Civic Voice membership reaches 250
Civic Voice Live - 29 June
Volunteer for Civic Voice
How Civic Voice campaigns
Website resources
The future of membership
Join Civic Voice
Oxford Loves Local
Have a Big Lunch
Free trees
Case studies
Developing a local list
Membership drives
Engaging with a younger audience
Forthcoming events
Street Pride Workshop - London 19th June
High Speed Rail 2 Workshop - Aylesbury - 25th June
Street Pride Workshop - London 26th June
Civic Voice Live - 29 June
Civic Voice AGM - 8/9 October
Civic Societies in the news
Walk launches week of Great Harwood civic celebration
Huddersfield Civic Society hosts a week of walks and talks to celebrate hidden art gems in town
Bradford Civic Societys new head sets out bold ambitions to impro |
========================================================================
Welcome to this first issue of civic sense, replacing the Civic Society Initiative’s Civic Matters. civic sense provides you with news and information on political, planning and public policy issues. There are also ideas and tips for campaigning and a summary checklist of actions civic societies can take. Let us know what you think of it and help us improve the second issue.
civic sense includes a number of suggestions for things civic societies and other local groups can do. These are summarised in the checklist of actions below:
- write to your new MP and encourage him or her to complete and return the Love Local survey
- download and use the new Street Pride briefings on posts, signs, bollards and guard rails
- let us know if you want to be involved in the High Speed Rail campaign or have concerns about cycling superhighways
- join up to the Civic Voice/RSA online discussion forum on Place making and civic society
return to start
After one of the liveliest General Election campaigns in recent years our MPs have been elected and a new Government is being formed. There are scores of first time MPs in the new intake and encouraging opportunities for the civic movement to play a stronger part in what Parliament gets up to.
Now is the best time to make contact with your new MPs, whether they are new to the role or have been in Parliament before. It is a chance for every civic society to write outlining what you do, addressing your key issues and concerns and asking for a meeting. The importance of local communities has been at the heart of all the main political manifestoes and you may wish to remind your MPs of this.
You can also help everyone in the civic movement by asking your local MPs to join the Love Local campaign.
return to start
Civic Voice’s Love Local campaign is uncovering the DNA of what makes places distinctive and why people are proud to live there. The three party leaders have all joined the campaign – see what they said here.
We are now asking all civic societies to contact their MPs and ask them to join the Love Local campaign. A copy of the survey is available below for you to send. Please will you pass on all the replies you get to Civic Voice at info@civicvoice.org.uk and we can build a picture of what matters to our newly elected representatives.
Download the Love Local questions here and send them to your MPs.
Civic Voice will also be contacting the English MPs to introduce our role as the new national charity for the civic movement.
return to start
In a flurry of pre-Election announcements two new draft planning policy statements have been published – on the natural environment and climate change – and final planning policies have been published on managing coastal change. Together these new policies represent a significant greening of the planning system which will alter the look and feel of new development for years to come.
Find out more here
return to start
Important changes to the requirements for publicising planning applications were announced in March along with some other detailed changes. From 1 October all local planning authorities must make information on planning applications available on their website. The time period for site notices for applications for listed building or conservation consent has also been increased from 7 to 21 days.
Among other changes, the time limit for lodging a planning appeal has been reduced to 28 days where there is enforcement action being taken and the Secretary of State no longer has to approve the use of Article 4 Directions removing permitted development rights.
Find out more here
return to start
The controversial Infrastructure Planning Commission has recently published details of the major projects which it will be considering. These include developments ranging from overhead power lines and wind turbines to nuclear power stations and roads.
You can see whether your area is likely to be affected using the map here
return to start
Civic Voice is taking a close interest in the plans for a new High Speed Rail line from London to Birmingham and beyond. A meeting for the civic societies most affected with the promoters, HS2, is being organised and we are looking to highlight the true impacts of the alternatives being put forward. Detailed routes have now been published by the Department for Transport and a vigorous public debate is expected. Let us know if you want to be involved info@civicvoice.org.uk.
Read more about the DfT’s proposals here and there is useful media coverage here
return to start
The first cycle “superhighways” are being installed in London and are set to have a dramatic impact on the street scene. There are lively arguments about whether this investment will have the impact of increasing cycling for fold but perhaps too little debate over the visual impact of this “gesture engineering”.
We are all familiar with the growing use of coloured road surfaces and generally this takes some account of the context and respects environments such as conservation areas. This is not the case for the new cycle superhighways which come in a striking blue. This may set a precedent for investment in other parts of the country.
A video showing the impact can be seen here and a more information, including a downloadable map of their location, here
If any civic societies in London or elsewhere are keen to join forces with others to make representations then let Civic Voice know.
return to start
The severe winter snow and ice has been hugely damaging to road surfaces across the country and many Highway Authorities are struggling to repair the cracks and holes. One authority in Germany has gone so far as to get pothole sponsorship where 50euros will get action to tar over the pothole and have your name on a plaque placed over it.
Read more here
return to start
The Street Pride campaign to rid our streets of unnecessary clutter continues to gain momentum with the publication of special Civic Voice briefings on the key causes of clutter. The four briefing notes have been prepared by urban design expert David Orr and provide guidance on posts, signs, bollards and guard rails. They have been written for non-experts and provide information on why these items of street furniture are used, the policy background and alternatives; each being illustrated by photos and examples of good and bad practice.
The first Street Pride campaign workshop has now been held in Wakefield and there is still space to join one of the four others being run in May and June in Winchester, Warwick, London and Manchester. Over 75 civic societies have joined up with the Street Pride campaign.
Find out more and download the briefings here
return to start
English Heritage’s latest survey of “heritage at risk” will be published on 1st July. Last year’s focus on conservation areas has now switched to places of worship. Civic societies and others are being asked to contribute to a survey of the state of the nation’s places of worship. You can contribute by visiting the English Heritage website here and you will also be kept in touch with the new guide on looking after listed places of worship which is in preparation.
return to start
CABE, the Government’s architecture and design watchdog, has published a helpful new report putting the spotlight on the “ordinary places” where everyone lives. It warns these places can be taken for granted and provides pointers to how they can benefit from the same resurgence that many town centres have experienced.
Read more here
return to start
While the historic environment is important for its own sake there is no doubt that evidence of its economic value can also be significant when campaigning for its future. The Heritage Lottery Fund’s new report on the economic contribution of heritage tourism is an important new contribution to the evidence and concludes that national GDP benefits to the tune of more than £20bn.
Read more here
return to start
The importance of local green spaces has come near the top of Civic Voice’s Love Local campaign as a contributor to civic pride. It is striking, therefore, how little information is available on what exists and how well it is looked after. CABE has begun to plug this gap in partnership with others through a new urban green space campaign. This includes publication of new research on the value of greenspace and an inventory of more than 16,000 green spaces.
Read more here
return to start
The High Court has made a significant ruling that helps with the registration of village greens. Village green status is important for providing a higher level of statutory protection. Until now it had been thought that land used for private purposes by the landowner could not be registered even if used informally for recreation by local people. This position has now been reversed in a decision described by the Open Spaces Society as “monumental” relating to land near Redcar where locals have used the land for over 20 years without being challenged.
Read more here
return to start
Carnegie UK has published the final report of its authoritative Commission of Inquiry into the Future of Civil Society. This presents a fascinating overview of the changing role of local community and civic organisations and activities which will be of interest to civic societies. It includes analysis of the role of civic society in addressing the challenges of economic recovery and climate change as well as democratising the media and increasing levels of participation. There is a call for civil society organisations, like the civic movement, to be “bolder in asserting what it can contribute”.
Read more here
return to start
Applications to add to the UK’s 28 existing World Heritage Sites need to be submitted by 11 June in new guidance issued by DCMS. A number of civic societies are involved in considering locations such as the Lake District and the Solent.
Read more here
return to start
It has been a good year for supporters of National Parks with the South Downs joining the family and publication of a new Government circular and vision for National Parks looking ahead to 2030.
The Vision has been prepared with all the National Park Authorities and aspires for them to be places
- Where everyone can discover the rich variety of England’s natural and historic environment, and have the chance to value them as places for escape, adventure, enjoyment, inspiration and reflection, and a source of national pride and identity
- Notable for their natural beauty and cultural heritage.
- Where wildlife flourishes and woodland cover has increased
- Which are pivotal in the transformation to a low carbon society and sustainable living.
Read more here
return to start
Old advertisements on buildings can be an important contribution to the character of many places and they are being lost as a result of damage and neglect. The History of Advertising Trust has published an online archive with 600 important examples of these “ghost signs” which can be viewed here
return to start
Two important new reports on seaside regeneration have been published in recent months. The Coastal Communities Alliance has produced a practitioner’s guide to improving coastal towns and also supported a new Government strategy. Both emphasise the importance of culture-led regeneration and are food for thought for the seaside cluster of civic societies which links different groups across the country with a shared interest in their future.
Read the Coastal Communities Alliance report here
Read the Government’s strategy here
Find out more about Civic Voice’s cluster of coastal civic societies here
return to start
There has been concern over the loss of heritage craft skills for years and report after report has highlighted it as a serious issue to meeting future conservation challenges. In response the Heritage Crafts Association has been formed to protect, promote and record skills and value them in their own right.
Find out more here
return to start
This years Heritage Open Days is being run between 9 and 12 September and promises once again to be one of the most important cultural events in the national calendar. Civic societies are key to the success of HODs and they provide an opportunity to meet new people and encourage them to learn more about civic societies as well
HODs is co-ordinated by English Heritage and Civic Voice is a member of the steering group along with a number of individual civic societies.
A report on last years HODs has just been published and can be read here
Find out more about HODs and get involved here
return to start
Civic Voice is part of the alliance of organisations working under the umbrella of Democracy Matters to promote the importance of citizen participation and encourage practical support which helps local communities campaign and get more involved. All prospective MPs were asked for their support and there is a lively agenda to be addressed by the new Government.
Find out more here
Civic Voice led a group of over 40 charities and social entrepreneurs in a letter to the Daily Telegraph highlighting
