Tag Archives: charity

by

Reasons to Vote Liberal Democrat in Bidston & St. James ward on May 5th – Day Seven


Following on from my blog post about the voluntary, community and faith sector I was out delivering on the Beechwood today and passed the Beechwood Community Association (which has a large sign pointing out Cllr Harry Smith is its trustee).

Its stated activity is “to work for the benefit of Beechwood residents” (which to me sounds very much like a job description for a Bidston & St. James ward councillor!). According to the Charity Commission, its accounts for 2005/2006 are over 4 years late! The accounts for the financial years ending 2008 and 2010 were both received over a month late and the accounts for 2009 are overdue by a year.

Its annual return for 2006 was submitted nearly a year late, the 2009 one was 23 days late and the 2010 annual return is currently over 2 months late. Cllr. Harry Smith is not the sole trustee, there is also a Mr. John Bernard Fletcher. Yet how can the public have confidence in a charity spending over ten thousand pounds most year when it can’t comply with the Charity Commission requirements?

You can read more about the Beechwood Community Association on the Charity Commission website.

Cllr Harry Smith is also a trustee of the Gautby Road Play and Community Centre Joint Management Committee. Although this charity with an income of over £100,000 a year has its paperwork up to date, it has come under a great deal of criticism from local residents for keeping its playground locked and not available to be used by the children of Bidston of St. James.

So vote Lib Dem because:-

a) Your Lib Dem candidate is in favour of healthy exercise for children in local play areas and against padlocking them (which doesn’t to my knowledge happen anywhere else on Wirral).

b) Your Lib Dem candidate believes in openness and transparency when it comes to local charities. Everyone should be able to view a charity’s accounts and annual report. There are also strict rules on charities and political parties.

About these ads
by

Wirral Council’s Faith Champion, funding and grant application help for the voluntary, community and faith sector


I had an enquiry today from a Bidston & St. James ward resident and I racked my brains trying to remember who Wirral Council’s Faith Champion is.

For those as in the dark as I was, it’s a Conservative councillor from Clatterbridge Cllr. Peter Kearney. I did remember reading it on his name badge whilst waiting to go into an Employment and Appointments Committee, but apart from his Twitter feed there seemed to be little mention of it online.

The voluntary, community and faith sector are important parts of Wirral’s community. Many have a role to play in community cohesion and have in some cases tireless, unsung volunteers that receive little recognition for the work they do in their communities.

For groups looking for funding Wirral Council has a webpage which allows you to search for funding opportunities for projects and advice and support can be given to groups on making successful grant applications.

I know in Bidston & St. James there is also a range of funds available promoted through the Area Forums. The Prenton/Oxton Area Forum recently had a Q&A session for charities and voluntary groups on accessing funding to implement their ideas.