Examination of Witnesses (Questions 60
- 65)
TUESDAY 13 JANUARY 2004
NCVO AND THE
COALFIELD COMMUNITIES
CAMPAIGN
Q60 Rosemary McKenna: I would not
agree with your statement that in all Coalfield areas the lottery
is disregarded. In my community I have a project, which is a community
project, which is a former Coalfield area, where we are just halfway
through the building of one of the new "One Stop Shops",
the only one in Scotland. We were very successful. But in your
submission you are saying that you recommend that the system allocates
more money to smaller projects. First of all, what would you consider
a smaller project? Because I would consider this is a small village,
800 people. We have got money from everywhere. Would you consider
that a small project, or are you talking about really large projects?
Mr Flanagan: It
is probably a large one for Croy but there are probably smaller
ones within Croy and they will get advice from the one stop shops,
that is where they will go for their advice and they are so essential.
Q61 Rosemary McKenna: Absolutely.
You are not saying that is a project which should not be considered
in future?
Mr Flanagan: Oh,
no, no.
Ms Edwards: What
we are saying is probably the emphasis should be community based.
Q62 Rosemary McKenna: Yes.
Ms Edwards: Whatever
the size really. In terms of small towns, villages or whatever,
when you say small basically that is indicative of a community
based project and we are desperate for the shift in emphasis to
be towards that, self generated by towns and villages.
Q63 Rosemary McKenna: I am hoping
the Committee will visit the project when we do some work on what
has already been done in the Lottery because I do think it is
a very good example not because it has all gone smoothly but because
it has been so difficult and such hard work for the community.
I have tried to get figures this morning and have not been able
to do that but we have money from the Regeneration Trust, we have
got money from Community Scotland, we have got money from everywhere
that will give it to us.
Mr Flanagan: Coalfield
Regeneration Trust.
Q64 Rosemary McKenna: Yes. It works
because we did not accept first refusal, we carried on asking
questions and everyone is working together. Would you agree with
me that actually it works because there is a determination among
a few individuals who just will not let it go, not because there
is anyone giving them any help but because people within the community
have really decided to commit to trying to achieve this?
Mr Robb: This is
how most good voluntary organisations and community organisations
start, with the drive and support of some very good people and
bring other people on board. I do not think it is any different
and I think that is absolutely correct. What we want to facilitate
is that it is simple and easy for those people when they have
that idea and want to do that, whether it be to get a Lottery
grant or whether to set up a small charity or a voluntary organisation
to make that easy and simple to do that. That is what we would
want to see happening and not to be knocked back, as you say,
the first time.
Mr Flanagan: A
lot of determination without the knowhow is really expendable
energy which is being dissipated and going nowhere and it causes
frustration. That is why people decide to pack it in. It is far
better if you have got somebody who knows the ropes and makes
sure it is not going to be filed in the bin who says "Look,
here, this is how it is done". Hopefully you will have such
an adviser in your One Stop Shops.
Q65 Rosemary McKenna: Yes, they will.
Mr Flanagan: And
every other One Stop Shop will have advisers who will say, "I
know how to fill that in. First of all you do this" and then
you are away which makes it run smoothly.
Ms Edwards: Also
this sort of thing is self-perpetuating. The group in your village,
they are building up all the time a bank of expertise amongst
themselves. Now why can the distributors not tap into that, if
it is a cold spot, your area, to sort of encourage others to apply.
It is a question of building up the confidence and capacity and
restoring confidence in the Lottery that is so important.
Chairman: Thank you very
much, ladies and gentlemen. Much appreciated.
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