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Scots forum takes off
Melvin Griffin reports
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On November 22, Scottish local authority lottery officers met in Glasgow, and agreed to work together to develop a new forum. Their short-term aim would be very simple: to support their work by establishing a body to disseminate and discuss best practice.
The first meeting covered two main areas. Firstly, the group looked at the various methods that local authorities use to promote Lottery funds and maximise success within their respective areas. Discussion about the roles, responsibilities and location of Lottery officers within their authorities revealed that most of them are expected to be familiar with all of the distribution funds, irrespective of their time commitments. A key issue to emerge was that the development of the Lottery External Funding Officer role is not consistent as a principal function.
In the second part of the meeting, the group looked at the ‘3-Way Agreement’, a new model of partnership between the Community Fund, local authorities and Councils for Voluntary Services.
This document, introduced in the spring of 2001, had provided a tailored plan of agreed action to promote the Community Fund and support community groups.
The group felt that although it was still early days to demonstrate evidence of success, the steps taken by the Community Fund to enter into dialogue and strategic local action with local partners were innovative and helpful. Colleagues expressed a hope that other funders might consider similar partnerships as a strategic priority in the future.
A number of specific measures from individual three-way agreements gave members the opportunity to share good practice. This included the publication of guides, support in business plans and training sessions for community and voluntary sector groups.
The second meeting of the group will provide greater insight into the role of Scottish lottery officers. Participants will give presentations on the topic ‘How does your council manage its resources to maximise the Lottery?’ The meeting will be on February 20 2002 in Dundee.
For further information, please contact
Melvin Griffin, East Ayrshire Council.
Tel: 01563 576508;
email: melvin.griffin@east-ayrshire.gov.uk