Development Group

Regional Infrastructure Development Group (RIDG)

To create a co-ordinated approach to planning, and to improve communications across the five consortia in the region, VONNE has established a group which pulls together consortium representatives to share best practice and concerns, and work together at a strategic level.

The vision of the development group is that all VCS groups throughout the region are able to meet their own potential and to fully contribute to the social, environmental and economic development of the region.

The purpose of the RIDG is:

  • to facilitate a strategic approach, by sharing information, linking VCS strategies and plans to analyse need at a regional level, and liaising with regional agencies
  • to develop a 3 year meta-plan and a 6 year meta-strategy
  • to identify possible areas for combining across sub-regional agendas in order to maximise effectiveness in delivery of services to local groups
  • to voice views and concerns to other regional players.

The aims for the RIDG include:

  • to prepare a meta-plan and a meta-strategy for infrastructure across the North East by March 2008
  • to influence the development of regional policy and distribution of resources via the Strategic Third Sector Partnership
  • to collaborate across the sub-regional and regional consortia and provide a platform for information sharing
  • to gather regional information and measure impact of infrastructure development.

Membership

The membership of the RIDG include two representatives from the membership of the five consortia, and reps of the lead bodies and fund managers.

List of Current Members (PDF 8kB) 

 

Meetings

Meetings are rotated around the region hosted by Consortia. Each meeting includes updates on consortia activity and a discussion topic. Future dates include:

  • 3 November 2009 in Northumberland
  • 2 February 2010
  • 4 May 2010
  • 3 August,2010
  • 2 November 2010
  • 1 Feb 2011

Cross Consortia Event

On the 2nd February 2010 the RIDG and Capacitybuilders hosted an event to bring together members of the five consortia and public sector partners. The event provided the chance for consortia to share good practice and celebrate their achievements. The day also had a focus on horizon scanning and effective planning for support services. The conference report and presentations are available to download, opposite.

 

Meta Plan

RIDG has researched the latest trends and issues facing infrastructure organisations and produced a new updated version of the Meta plan for 2010.

Each of the five consortia produced long term strategies and business plans in 2008. The RIDG then produced an overarching document called the Meta Plan to pull out commonalities and identify priority funding concerns across the north east support services. This document helped to shape targeted infrastructure funding programmes such as the Big Lottery Fund BASIS programme, and One NorthEast's Third Sector Capacity Building Fund as well as Capacitybuilders programmes. During the winter of 2009/10 the consortia have been reviewing their business plans. 

 

Demonstrating the Value of Infrastructure

One of the key priorities within the 2010 Meta Plan is the promotion of support services. In order to maintain quality infrastructure in the north east, the consortia recognise the importance of showing the real impact they make on the sector as a whole. Some of the consortia are gathering evidence and completing surveys to build a business case for making infrastructure sustainable.

Northumberland Infrastructure Survey in December 2009 captured views from 172 organisations who identified which services they valued the most and which would have the most impact if they were withdrawn. The top three infrastructure services were; enabling work with the public sector; representing the sector; and encouraging networks and collaborative working.

Tees Valley Infrastructure Consortium have produced a paper in which  demonstrates  the contribution of local infrastructure in creating the environment for a thriving VCS, measured by the National Indicator number 7. This report makes a case for support services when the sector faces economic hardship, and highlights the unique impartial position that generic infrastructure can bring to frontline services working together.