At the last meeting of the Small Community Groups Network, there was a discussion about people’s experiences of applying to the council's annual grants programme for funding. The network felt that people who didn’t attend the meeting should also be offered a chance to share their own views and experiences, which is the reason for this email. We also learnt at the meeting that the council are currently reviewing the priorities of the grants team, within a wider review of the Communities and Equality Team where the grants team sits. There are several ways you can have your say:

• send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. requesting a link to the council’s survey (their survey isn’t open for general completion as they want to ensure that people from the community and voluntary sector only are completing it – see more info below)
• answer the questions in the attached questionnaire and send through to me to pass on or send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
• email me back with any general comments that you would like to make that I can compile (anonymously) and send on to the council.

It's not often we get the opportunity to provide such direct feedback to help shape a Council service, especially in the current climate so I hope you find this a useful opportunity.

Best wishes,

Lisa

Message from Richard Tuset  (Head of Policy, Performance & Analysis) regarding the council’s survey:

“As the survey is restricted to community and voluntary sector organisations, the link that you will receive will be personalised and uniquely tied to your e-mail address.  Please rest assured that the information you give us will only be used as part of this review and will be kept completely confidential.  No individuals will be identified as part of the analysis and reporting processes.

Completion of the survey should take approximately 15 minutes.  The deadline for submission is 17:00 on Wednesday 20 March 2013.  “

To take part all you have to do is send a one line e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.