Sent to all Members of the Strathearn & Strathallan Stronger Communities Network, and Information mailing lists
LEARNING, VOLUNTEERING & JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Sent on behalf of Christine Grant, Senior Elections and Community Council Officer
The Elections Team of Perth and Kinross Council are currently recruiting for more people to join our election staff database, particularly outwith Perth City. We require support with polling stations on polling day and during the count itself, a fee is paid to staff for the role(s) they are appointed to. We would really appreciate your support in promoting this opportunity to any of your groups.
To apply to any of the roles detailed below, attached is an application form and appendix which once completed should be returned to The Elections Team, Perth and Kinross Council, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH or emailed to elections@pkc.gov.uk
A summary of the job opportunities is detailed below.
Presiding Officer
Responsible for the overall conduct of the ballot in the polling place during the hours of poll and ensure that voters can cast their vote safely. They would normally have had previous experience of the Poll Clerk role. Responsibility of the ballot box, ballot books and other paperwork, layout of the polling place and to liaise with key-holders of premises to gain access and lock up. To ensure that all signs and notices are clear and visible to voters and that all procedures are being followed as per instructions.
Skills required:
Good communication/customer care skills
General clerical skills
Ability to understand written guidance notes
Be able to direct staff and work as a team
Polling Clerk
To assist the Presiding Officer at a Polling Station during the hours of poll on election day to provide electors their ballot paper.
Skills required:
Good communication/customer care skills
General clerical skills
Ability to understand written guidance notes
Work as a team and take directions
Count Assistant
To work at the verification and counting of votes cast after the close of poll whether an overnight count or day count.
Skills required:
Good number skills
Ability to work under pressure
Work as a team and take directions
For any queries or questions please contact the Elections Team on email elections@pkc.gov.uk or telephone 01738 475004
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6 Week Mindfulness Programme
Nature Connects are running a fully funded six week Mindfulness Programme from the 22nd January 2024 – 26th February. Booking details and flyer are attached to this email.
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Call to Volunteer!
The Health & Social Care Partnership are recruiting volunteers. For more information see the attached poster.
SUPPORT & ADVICE
“Worrying About Money?” Leaflet
The Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) and local partners have developed a Perth and Kinross ‘Worrying About Money?’ leaflet which can help people experiencing money worries, and frontline support workers and volunteers identify what help is needed and where to get help locally. The aim of this leaflet is to reduce the need for charitable food aid by helping people access any existing financial entitlements and advice on income maximisation as a cash first response to food insecurity. The resource is available at www.worryingaboutmoney.co.uk/perth-and-kinross. You can access the leaflet, poster, the translated versions as well as the interactive online version on the link.
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SDS Drop-in Sessions For Carers
We are running two drop-in sessions for unpaid carers in the coming months, when one of our advisors will be on hand to answer any questions around accessing and making best use of Self-Directed Support (SDS), as well as taking referrals for ongoing advice and assistance.
The session is on Friday 24th November (10am-12pm) and will be online via Zoom (please get in touch in advance for a link to join).
Please contact the Carers Centre on 01738 567076 (option 2) or sds@pkavs.org.uk for more details.
Justin Boyes, Self-Directed Support Advisor, PKAVS, 01738 576076 | 07955 055846 | justin.boyes@pkavs.org.uk
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Community-Led Guide to Local Services – Third Sector Interface
We’re excited to announce our new Service Navigator, an accessible and collaborative guide to the wide range of services available in Perth and Kinross.
As your Third Sector Interface, we understand it’s essential for you to have knowledge and evidence to be able to serve your communities.
Here to help is the Service Navigator, an interactive map of services provided by local charities, social enterprises and community groups.
The Service Navigator allows you to search for services by category and region, and you can learn more about each service by clicking its point on the map.
You can also add your organisation’s services to the map – find out how.
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Perth and Kinross Council Funding Alert
The November/December PKC Funding Alert is available here.
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Green Living PB Fund
A reminder that the Green Living PB Fund is now open for bids. The application process closes on Friday 15th December.
All of the information that you need to submit a bid is available on a webpage - Green Living Fund (communitychoices.scot)
All bids must demonstrate how they will impact at least one of the criteria listed below and also demonstrate how it will support local residents with the cost of living.
- Energy - reducing consumption, promoting efficiency
- Transport - encouraging active travel, decarbonising transport
- Waste - reduce, reuse and recycle
- Resilience - improving greenspace, biodiversity, local food growing
- Engagement - increasing public awareness and engaging communities
Please get in touch with any Green Living Fund queries to JamesGardner@pkc.gov.uk at any time and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Third Sector Interface Funding
Please see below link for organisations to apply for funding between CMHWF and WFWF.
https://www.thirdsectorpk.org.uk
Please forward any questions onto info@thirdsectorpk.org.uk
Home - Third Sector Interface - PKAVS (thirdsectorpk.org.uk)
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Community Ownership Fund
The £150m Community Ownership Fund (COF) exists to help communities across the UK to take ownership of assets at risk of closure. It will run until March 2025.
For further information go to the MyCommunity website: https://mycommunity.org.uk/community-ownership-fund
This has all the information available about the fund as well as the support programme and resources to help people apply. There is also an enquiry service.
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HAVE YOUR SAY
Vote on your rent level for 2024/25
Take part and get the chance to win a £50 voucher
It's that time of year when we ask tenants to vote for their preferred rent level. You can once again choose from one of three options to tell us what you think your rent level should be for 2024/25.
Please complete the Rent Level Options Form we have sent to each household (with On The House magazine) and return it to us in the envelope provided.
You should only complete the consultation once. Every tenant who takes part has the chance to win one of four �50 shopping vouchers.
More information on the consultation can be found here
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Tay Forest National Park Public Consultation
The public consultation on our bid for Highland Perthshire to be designated as a national park is now open.
A key aim is to ensure that the bid submission and the vision for a national park it sets out reflects the views of the many different people that live and work in the area. We want you to help us shape our bid; to help us design a national park that will represent our heritage, environment, communities and promote our wonderful landscape in the best way.
The Tay Forest National Park public consultation closes on Friday 1st December.
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EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Strathearn & Strathallan Stronger Community Network Meeting
The Next Stronger Communities Network meeting will be taking place on Tuesday 5th December at the Strathearn Community Campus 10 am - 12 noon.
The theme for this meeting will be Volunteering in the Community.
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Strathearn Better Place to Live Fair 2024
Following a very successful Strathearn Better Place to Live Fair in March 2023, plans are already well underway for a Better Place to Live Fair on Saturday 2nd March 2024 to be held at the Strathearn Community Campus.
The event will be taking place between 10 am – 2 pm.
The booking form for stalls at the event is attached to this email. The deadline for Stall Holder booking information is Friday 2nd February 2024.
For more information please contact the team at Crieff-Comlearn@pkc.gov.uk
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Auchterarder Town Bus - Service 49 Improvements
I am pleased to confirm that the Town Bus Service is increasing to a four-days-a-week operation from tomorrow, Monday, 06 November 2023. This enhancement is due to funding from Friends of St Margaret’s and the Council’s Warm Welcome Fund.
For your information, I have attached PDFs of the new leaflet and timetable poster.
The new timetable leaflets will be distributed to outlets throughout the community, whilst the posters will be provided to the Library, St Margaret’s, etc for display.
ACBuG trustees are very conscious of the need to further increase patronage of the Town Bus and will be actively promoting the service in the weeks ahead.
It would be really appreciated if you could promote the improvements to the Town Bus Service through your channels.
Thanks for your continued support.
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Perth’s Winter Festival Weekends
Three weekends of festive fun for all to enjoy. Featuring Christmas Lights Party featuring pop sensations Boney M and Dance group N-Trance.
Free Bus Travel on 2, 9, 16 and 23 December – for journeys made wholly in Perth and Kinross.
More information is available in the attached posters.
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Free bus travel on offer in run-up to Christmas
Christmas shoppers, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy free travel on all local bus services within Perth and Kinross Council area on the four Saturdays leading up to Christmas. More info here.
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Cake Fest Perth and Kinross is Back!
Below are details for the Cakefest . We’re hoping community groups will get involved to create some fantastic cakes. Please share the information below to your contacts. There may be some financial support for ingredients if this would help. Although it will be first come, first served basis for this. Any questions, please contact pkcevents@pkc.gov.uk !
Get ready for a sweet celebration as Cake Fest returns to the Perth Winter Festival on Sunday, 10 December.
We're still on the lookout for bakers of all abilities, from beginners to professionals. Help us create a giant edible map of Perth and Kinross. Your task: pick your favourite building or place within Perth and Kinross and recreate it in cake form. These delectable creations will adorn a giant edible map of the region, skillfully assembled for all to enjoy.
Join us on Sunday, 10 December, at Horsecross Plaza for the grand unveiling of Cake Fest Perth and Kinross. The fully edible landscape will be constructed indoors, with bakers arriving throughout the day to add their creations to the masterpiece. After the spectacular map has been completed and admired, it's time to share the cake buildings with festivalgoers!
Cake Fest is all about bringing friends, families, and colleagues together to bake and celebrate our home and community. Everyone is welcome to participate and join the fun. We're not looking for perfectly scaled masterpieces, but we are looking for bakers with up-for-it attitudes and a passion for Perth and Kinross's buildings and landscapes. Grab a partner, choose a building, don your aprons, and get involved!
Cake Fest Perth and Kinross is free to attend on Sunday, 10 December, 2023.
For additional information and to register your interest, please contact us at pkcevents@pkc.gov.uk
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Find out what’s on at Culture PK here
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NEWSLETTERS & LOCAL MEDIA
- Community Engagement News from our Health & Social Care Partnership colleagues - Issue 43
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Sign up to receive PKC newsletters and alerts here: Perth & Kinross Council - Perth and Kinross email subscriptions (pkc.gov.uk)
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To promote events and opportunities in our January newsletter please email Crieff-comlearn@pkc.gov.uk with the details before Friday 5th January.
With best wishes for the Festive and New Year period when it comes;
James and Heather
James Gardner, Community Learning and Development Worker
JamesGardner@pkc.gov.uk 01738 477674 / 07887 625142
Heather Gordon
Community Learning Assistant