VCS Matters Winter Summit 2009

'Preparing for change' was the topic of the VCS Matters Winter Summit on 16 December at The Hub, Hazelwell. Following a preformance by De-Wayne, highlights included:

- Councillor Les Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, updated the meeting on strengthening Children's Trusts and implications for third sector representation (see copy attached below).

- Hot topic discussions took place on the impact of a possible change in government for the voluntary & community sector with Lisa Martinali, Third Sector Assembly Champion (see copy attached below ) and on the implications of the new vetting & barring scheme with Julia Jones, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP (see copy attached below).

- Participants gained an insight into the scrutiny system in a presentation by Councillor Jon Hunt, Chairman of the Children & Education Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Participants made good use of the opportunities for networking in the marketplace and over lunch. Several stayed on for a special meeting for potential VCS Matters Representatives within Birmingham's Children's Trust arrangements.