Manchester Community Legal Service

Advice Services in Manchester

Background

An independent review of externally funded advice services in Manchester concluded that the advice provided is generally of high quality, but provision is ad hoc, fragmented and more appropriate models of provision should be explored. Areas of Manchester are not covered by accessible advice services and some agencies struggle with cramped and unsuitable premises and lack the infrastructure to cope with demand.

In response Manchester are looking to commission legal and advice services and align these with its priorities for the development of neighbourhoods of choice, tackling worklessness and breaking cycles of deprivation.

The aim is to provide communities with holistic advice services that meet local needs, from simple diagnosis, to legal advice and representation at court. The new services will:

• Deliver legal advice services to communities according to a clear understanding of local need and be flexible in reflecting changing circumstances and emerging trends;
• Ensure services are delivered to enable accessibility for all residents, be available at times people require and in places they find accessible (including improved outreach services and home visits)

 To help us to do this we would like to gather the opinions of people across Manchester on how, where and when they would like to see advice services provided.  If you would like to help us to gather this information please complete the online questionnaire no later than the 31^st March 2010.

Thank you for your help

Mike Gorman

Lead Commissioner

Advice, Intervention and Prevention

Transport Strategy for Manchester

What is it?

The Transport Strategy for Manchester City Centre Consultation was launched on 11 January 2010 and runs until 22 March 2010. It is anticipated that a final version of the Strategy will be available in the summer of 2010.

 This is a follow-on consultation from the Regional Centre Transport Strategy, which was carried out in December 2007 – January 2008. For further information, visit: http://tag-mcr.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=303:regional-centre-transport-strategy-1st-consultation&catid=40:previous-consultations&Itemid=42. Both the full consultation document and an Executive Summary can be found at: http://www.cn4m.net/node/2784.

 The Transport Board will soon be holding an open forum which will cover this consultation (further information will soon be available).

How to respond:

TAG will be composing a response to the consultation. You can feed in any comments/ issues/ suggestions to Bill Harrop on 0161 273 1736 or email: transport@merci.org.uk up until 15 March 2010. You can also use the comments feature on the TAG website: http://tag-mcr.org.uk.  

 Alternatively, you can submit your comments directly to the Transport Policy Unit by emailing: transport.consult@manchester.gov.uk, or writing to: Transport Strategy Consultation, Transport Policy Unit, Manchester City Council, Room 308, Town Hall, Manchester, M60 2LA.

The Duty to Respond to Petitions

Communities and Local Government are currently consulting on draft guidance on the duty to respond to petitions.

About the consultation:

The Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 aims to reinvigorate local democracy by placing local authorities on the front line of ensuring local citizens connect with local decision makers. This draft statutory guidance takes forward one strand of this policy. It sets out the key principles and requirements of the petitions duty, which requires local authorities to create a scheme for responding to the petitions they receive, and to comply with that scheme.

The consultation document can be found at:http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/petitionsresponseconsultation. The closing date for the consultation is: 24 February 2010.

 How to respond:

You can respond online using the above link, email petitions@communities.gsi.gov.uk, or write to:

Listening to Communities Consultation, Eland House 5/B4, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU.

Car Parking Petition

Please be part of a new change for the new year…. Voice your opinion by completing the questionnaire

Dear Chairman, 
 
You may be aware from the press and media that the Government is holding a consultation on Hospitalcar parking charges. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_110566 The National Kidney Federation is of course talking to the Department of Health and making a submission to the consultation but as this is such an important issue for renal patients we would encourage as many KPA’s as possible to make an independent submission stating their own hospital case. This is a really good chance to get at least renal patients free parking but perhaps with a big response we may get free hospital parking for everyone as they already have in Scotland. If you need help or have any questions contact either myself or your regional advocacy officerTogether we could start the new year with a great patient success storyRegards Bob

Robert Wm Dunn MBE, National Advocacy Officer, National Kidney Federation
Tel 01-297-625045 
 
Tel: 01909 544999, Fax: 01909 481723

Helpline: 0845 601 02 09
E: nkf@kidney.org.uk W: www.kidney.org.uk

Children’s Services in Manchester

Manchester City Council are currently taking part in an exercise to map Childrens Services. In addition to statutory services they are trying to capture information regarding voluntary sector provision.
 
To complete the mapping you need to be registered with the web-based system.
 
If you are interested in completing the service mapping information please can you contact Graham Openshaw, Project Manager by e-mail with the following information:
 
g.openshaw@manchester.gov.uk
 
Name of Service / Team : 
Address: 
Postcode: 
Name of service manager: 
Email address (where I can send the invitation and is used to log on): 
Service type (or brief description):