Conference programme

Read the full programme for the conference below. 

Wednesday 3 March

A focus on the issues our members face

Marriott Renaissance Hotel

10.30    Arrival and refreshments

11.00    Opening speech

Angela Smith MP, Minister for the Third Sector

Followed by
Make your project match

Looking for a like-minded project partner? Got an idea that you'd like to work up and improve with help from someone else? Come prepared, speed date others with similar thoughts, discuss them and plan your next move.

11.45    Workshops and visit

A selection of practical workshops where you can contribute your views and meet others with similar questions - choose one from the three options below or choose to visit Manchester Settlement.  

Critical citizenship and community influence

Sue Gorbing and Jill Bedford, changes,  with Martin Holcombe, Birmingham Settlement
changes will share ideas around a model of change that reflects what it is doing in the Black Country around active, critical citizenship, influential communities and responsive public agencies. Explore the implications of using this model; what needs to change, who is responsible and how this can happen. There will be participative discussion around the role bassac members can take to encourage active involvement and critical citizenship.

Using social media to involve people

Gary Copitch of People's Voice Media with Mark Southwell, Oblong Resource Centre, Leeds
People's Voice Media specialises in the development of social media and local community reporters. The workshop will explore how social media can be used to promote the activities of your organisation and how you can develop as a local communication hub within the community.

Making representation work for everyone

Toby Blume, Urban Forum, with Joanna Holmes and colleagues from Barton Hill Settlement
If it’s surveys or petitions, elections or opinion polls, voting matters for local life. How can community organisations encourage local people to get their point across? What are the best ways to gather opinion and what makes voting really count?

An alternative to a workshop: Visit Manchester Settlement

Maria Gardiner, general manager, Manchester Settlement
Manchester Settlement moved to a new £2million carbon neutral building during 2009. See the work it does, meet staff and get a feel for the issues they face in the community they serve.

13.00    Lunch and networking

Time for meeting old friends, making new, visiting exhibition stands, and booking face-to-face sessions with bassac programme and communications staff to find out what specific services and support we can offer.

14.15    Working with local authorities 

How to work with local authority officers and councillors to get the best for local communities. A chance to share your views.

Maria Gardiner, general manager, Manchester Settlement with Councillor Alistair Cox (councillor for Moss Side) and Libby Graham from New East Manchester.

15.45    Tea/coffee

16.15-17.15    bassac AGM

Break

18.30    Drinks reception

19.00    Find a Funder dinner

The perfect opportunity to talk to a host of funders in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

Meet representatives from Lankelly Chase Foundation, Social Investment Business, Capacitybuilders, City Bridge Trust, Lloyds TSB Foundation, Peter Cruddas Foundation, Social Investment Business (specfically to talk about Communitybuilders), the Community Development Foundation, the Tudor Trust and the Big Lottery Fund. 

After-dinner entertainment
 

Thursday 4 March

Open day to consider the future of local politics in the community

Manchester Town Hall

09.30    Coffee and registration

10.30    Conference opening

10.45    The politics of the future – beyond parties?

Peter Facey, director of Unlock Democracy

Panel discussion

Karen Chouhan, director, Equanomics

Perry Walker, new economics foundation

Chair - Peter Hetherington, the Guardian

11.45    Tea/coffee

12.00 Mini-plenaries

Join in conversations about the way politics might work. Choose to attend one of the sessions outlined below.

Working together – councillors and community

Mark Law, BARCA-Leeds and Rachel Reeves, prospective parliamentary candidate for Leeds West
How can community activists and elected councillors find common purpose? What makes for real progress and how can we face conflict constructively? We will consider the role of the ward councillor and how local community interests can contribute to political debate most effectively.

Opening up democracy – votes that matter

Simon Burall, director, Involve
Local authorities now have a duty to involve their citizens and another to promote democracy. How can the community contribute to better turn out at elections and deliver a wider range of people to public office?

Making your voice matter – campaigns that work

Linda Butcher, chief executive, Sheila McKechnie Foundation and Eleanor Botright, director, Castlehaven Community Association
Campaigning for change has been the life-blood of community organisations for decades. What are the key elements to making campaigns work well and how can you avoid the major pitfalls?

Diversifying politics for good

Ashok Viswanathan, co-founder and assistant director of Operation Black Vote with Alison Lowe, chief executive, Touchstone Leeds
Representatives need to come from all parts of the community. We will explore how more black and Asian people, disabled and young people can put themselves forward for office and what needs to be done to help them succeed.

13.15    Lunch and networking

Time to meet old friends, make new and visit exhibition stands.

14.15   Democracy: top down or bottom up?

Through our annual survey, our members reveal the state of local democracy where they are, particularly relationships with councillors and their local authorities. How can we use what we know to inspire change and get the best for local communities?

Plenary led by Ben Hughes, bassac chief executive

15.15    Tea/coffee

15.45    Inspiring real community politics

Barbara Follett MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Panel discussion - How can local politics work for all parts of the community?  

Sir Richard Leese, leader, Manchester City Council
Ian Loynes, chief executive, Southampton Centre for Independent Living
Rita Patel, founder president, the Peepul Centre
Martin Miller, Anglican Diocese of Manchester

Chair: Peter Hetherington, the Guardian

16.45    Conference close

17.00    Drinks reception