More than 1.2 million households in Wales could benefit from a package of energy-busting measures announced by the Prime Minister today. The multi-million pound package will help householders make savings of up to £300 a year on energy bills. It includes an increase in Cold Winter Payments for pensioners and benefit claimants from £8.50 to £25 a week, plus savings of at least 50 per cent on loft and cavity wall insulation for every household in the country. Welcoming the announcement, Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy said: “The package of measures being announced today is not only about helping households reduce their energy bills now but is also about creating long-term solutions to the high energy bills people are facing. Households can make savings of up to £300 a year on their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Every household in the country can now have at least 50 per cent off loft and cavity wall insulation, with households on qualifying benefits or those over 70 benefiting from insulation measures for free. The Cold Weather Payments will be tripled for this winter from £8.50 to £25 a week. This will help some of the most vulnerable people pay their energy bills. This rise is on top of the additional payment of £50 or £100 announced in the Budget to be paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment. A new Community Energy Saving Programme will also help some of the most deprived areas of Wales. Local councils, voluntary organisations and energy suppliers will go to individual streets offering free and discounted central heating, energy efficiency measures and benefit checks.”

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11 September 2008
© Welsh Assembly

The Welsh Assembly Government has produced a ‘Community Action Pack’ for tackling climate change, which provides practical information on how communities can make a difference. The pack will help communities to take action and has information on activities, successful projects and where to go for further information. The pack consists of 13 booklets and covers areas such as transport and travel, being energy efficient and conserving water. It also includes a copy of the DVD ‘Tackling Climate Change Together’ which shows five groups across Wales already running projects. The pack
can be downloaded here.

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4 September 2008
© WCVA

Welsh voluntary organisations, large and small, will find out about the funding future of their sector at a national conference next month. The 2008 third sector funding conference takes place on Wednesday 8 October at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to meet representatives of over 20 funders of the third sector in Wales, as well as hear keynote speeches and attend workshops on some of the most challenging issues facing voluntary organisations. WCVA Chief Executive Graham Benfield OBE will open the conference with his take on the situation facing voluntary organisations and some predictions for the future. Delegates will also hear first-hand about the future of European funding programmes from Gretel Leeb, a director at the Wales European Funding Office. In addition, there are also keynote sessions on the latest in fundraising, getting funding from business, grant making trusts and a choice of practical workshops. The conference is essential for anyone involved in the funding or fundraising future of their organisation and those responsible for strategic development and management in the third sector. Hard copies of programme/booking form can be requested from the WCVA Helpdesk on 0800 2888 329 or help@wcva.org.uk.

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1 September 2008
© WCVA

North Wales Criminal Justice Board in partnership with Barclays Bank and supported by WCVA and the High Sheriff’s of Gwynedd and Clwyd is pleased to announce the launch of the fourth annual ‘Volunteer & Community Justice Awards 2008′. People working in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) do an incredible job. Every day, their commitment and dedication makes a dramatic difference to people’s lives. The local awards scheme recognises and celebrates excellence and admirable work undertaken by all volunteers and staff working in the Criminal Justice System to reduce the fear of crime and help keep our communities safe.

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26 August 2008

North Wales Criminal Justice Board in partnership with Barclays Bank and supported by WCVA and the High Sheriff’s of Gwynedd and Clwyd is pleased to announce the launch of the fourth annual ‘Volunteer & Community Justice Awards 2008′.
People working in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) do an incredible job. Every day, their commitment and dedication makes a dramatic difference to people’s lives. The local awards scheme recognises and celebrates excellence and admirable work undertaken by all volunteers and staff working in the Criminal Justice System to reduce the fear of crime and help keep our communities safe.

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26 August 2008
© WCVA

With the deadline approaching, voluntary organisations in Wales are being urged to make their nominations to the first ever Network Wales Awards, supported by Class Telecommunications.The Network Wales Awards is a new initiative that will collectively showcase the work of the third sector in Wales, highlight the progress the sector is making and recognise the achievements of Welsh voluntary organisations.Every nomination received will be in the running to win an Award and each organisation that has been nominated will receive a certificate of commendation.Organisations can put themselves forward in two
categories and individuals can also nominate another voluntary organisation or community group to a separate category.

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22 August 2008

Work to determine the potential feasibility of a tidal energy scheme in the Severn Estuary is continuing with the appointment of the DTZ consortium to lead a study to identify the regional economic impacts of a Severn tidal scheme. The study - which will look at potential significant impacts on the regional economies of Wales and the South West of England at both construction and operational phases - forms a major part of the ongoing work on the Government Severn tidal power feasibility study. This research will form a key part of the findings of the feasibility study, helping to determine the regional economic impacts of possible schemes - which include a number of barrage options, a tidal fence, a tidal reef and tidal lagoons.

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19 August 2008
© Welsh Assembly

Deputy Minister for Regeneration Leighton Andrews has announced today that five Communities First areas in Blaenau Gwent are set to receive funding of over £1.1 million. The funding of £1,138,224 will ensure the continuation of the core programme of the five partnerships, including paying for key staff, from April 2008 to March 2009. The Partnerships concerned are Nantyglo, including the Winchestown Family Centre, Abertillery, Cwmtillery, Six Bells and St Illtyds. In addition some of the funding will also be provided to the Co-operative Group which assumed responsibility for managing the funding on the Partnerships’ behalf from 1 April 2008. The financial support announced today is in addition to more than £1.3 million approved in May this year for other Communities First partnerships in Blaenau Gwent based in Ebbw Vale, Tredegar and Blaina.

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08 August 2008
© Welsh Assembly Government

Proposals for a new fund to help sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses diversify and improve their Post Offices have been unveiled by Deputy Minister for Regeneration, Leighton Andrews today (Thursday 7 August 2008). The new fund will provide an opportunity for sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses to strengthen their businesses and make them sustainable in the long term for the benefit of the communities they serve. Today marks the start of a twelve week consultation on the proposals which will fulfil a One Wales agreement commitment to reinstate and refocus the Post Office Development Fund. The scheme is intended to help sub-postmasters diversify their businesses by providing funding for such things as business and marketing advice, advertising, training and some set-up costs for new services. The new fund could also pay for physical improvements to Post Office premises which are not funded by Post Office Ltd. The consultation asks for views on the types of improvements that could be funded for example creating better access to the building, upgrading computer equipment, improving security or providing better signs for the outside of the building. Comments are also being sought on whether the fund should be targeted at deprived and isolated communities. Consideration will also be given to whether a grant would help provide a distinct social purpose for the community for example support for the last retailer in the village. Given the wider remit of the new fund it may be renamed as the Post Office Diversification Fund.

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7 August 2008
© Welsh Assembly

Communities across Wales will benefit from more than £6 million funding from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP). Deputy Minister for Regeneration Leighton Andrews announced funding of £6.089 million, which will be shared by 44 projects across Wales. The funding has been approved for community or voluntary organisations to support the creation of new facilities and services. Since the start of the programme in 2002 funding totalling over £59.5million has been allocated to 633 projects. Deputy Minister Leighton Andrews said: The Community Facilities and Activities Programme is a grant scheme run by the Welsh Assembly Government to assist community or voluntary organisations provide facilities or carry out activities which will promote the regeneration of communities. The scheme makes a real, substantial difference at grass roots level to community and voluntary groups across Wales. The grants can range from a few thousand pounds to restore old roofs and windows too much larger grants of hundreds of thousands of pounds to build new facilities. Today’s announcement shows the Welsh Assembly Government’s continued commitment to regeneration across Wales. Many of the projects from earlier grants have now come to fruition and I am certain that the funding I’ve announced today will further contribute to the regeneration of some of the most deprived communities in Wales.

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7 August 2008
© Welsh Assembly