READ AND WEEP!!!

The Fund to help local communities set up Big Society plans is launched today, 16
February.
Today Oxfordshire county council has officially launched its Big Society Fund,
which will allow local people to bid for start-up funding to help them take
responsibility for providing services in their community.

The council is keen to create an environment in which it is as easy as possible
for communities to do things for themselves, and the £600,000 Big Society Fund
is a part of this.

How can communities use the money?
Communities can make bids for start-up funding for service provision they may
wish to undertake in their local area. This could include taking on
responsibility for libraries and youth services, day opportunities for older
people or even community transport.

The council is keen to work with communities to embrace a new era and a new way
of working at a time when there is less money to spend across the public sector
throughout the UK. We will require a viable business case from communities, but
are determined to work closely with people to advise them on the process of
putting together such a document.

More information about the fund can be found at
http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/bigsocietyfund.
Queries can be directed to BigSocietyFund@...
We will continue to develop the site to provide more information about the
opportunities as more details are confirmed.

Feel free to cascade this information through your organisation. We'd be happy
to have further conversations about communities in your areas where proposals
are emerging and possible support to them.

Kind Regards,
Kind Regards,
Claire Phillips
Senior Performance and Review Officer
Chief Executive's Office
Oxfordshire County Council
County Hall
New Road
Oxford
OX1 1ND

Tel. 01865 323967