Developing the Advice Strategies
(2009 - 2011)

BAF received some funding from Voluntary Works (the local consortium for voluntary sector infrastructure organisations), from its Capacitybuilders funded LGR project, to liaise with the new Councils to raise the profile of the advice sector and advice work.

BAF initially contacted the two new Councils and suggested that they develop an Advice Strategy for their area. 

Positive initial meetings were held with both new Councils on 8th June 2009. 

A joint planning workshop with representatives from the two Councils and BAF members was held on 6th October 2009. 

A further meeting to draft a Proposal was held on 11th November 2009.

The Proposal to develop an Advice Strategy in Bedford Borough was endorsed at the Social Inclusion, Community Cohesion and Culture Thematic Partnership on 30th November 2009.  The Proposal was later accepted by the Bedford Borough Partnership Board at its meeting in December 2009.

The Proposal to develop an Advice Strategy in Central Bedfordshire was endorsed by the Stronger Communities Thematic Partnership on 2nd December 2009.  The Proposal was later accepted by Central Bedfordshire Together (the Local Strategic Partnership Board for Central Bedfordshire) at its meeting in February 2010.

An initial  planning meeting to discuss the development of an Advice Strategy in Bedford Borough was held on 25 February 2010.  A further meeting was then held on 13 May 2010.  The next meeting is planned for 8th July 2010.

A meeting to plan the Advice Strategy in Central Bedfordshire was held on 21 April 2010.  A further meeting was then held on 7 June 2010.  The next meeting is planned for 15th July 2010.

Details of the work undertaken so far is given below.

Discussion at BAF meeting on 25th February

Letter to Bedford Borough Council

Letter to Central Bedfordshire Council

Developing an Advice Strategy for the Bedford area - discussion document

Developing an Advice Strategy for Central Bedfordshire - discussion document

Presentation (1) at Advice Strategy Workshop on 6th October

Presentation (2) at Advice Strategy Workshop on 6th October

The Case for Advice (Advice Services Alliance leaflet)

Example of Advice Strategy - Hackney

Example of Advice Strategy - Torbay

Example of Advice Strategy - Coventry

Developing an advice strategy - examples of vision, principles and aims

Report on Advice Strategy Workshop on 6th October

Report on Advice Strategy Workshop on 11th November

Draft Proposal for an Advice Strategy - Bedford Borough

Draft Proposal for an Advice Strategy - Central Bedfordshire

Proposal for Advice Strategy (Bedford Borough) - presented to Social Inclusion, Community Cohesion and Culture Thematic Partnership

Proposal for Advice Strategy (Central Bedfordshire) - presented to Stronger Communities Thematic Partnership

Proposal for Advice Strategy (Bedford Borough) - sent to Bedford Borough Partnership Board

Proposal for Advice Strategy (Central Bedfordshire) - sent to Central Bedfordshire Together (Local Strategic Partnership)

Update Report for Bedford Borough Planning Group on 25th February

Minutes of Bedford Borough Planning Group meeting on 25th February

Update Report for Central Bedfordshire Planning Group on 21st April 2010

Minutes of Central Bedfordshire Planning Group meeting on 21st April 2010

Action Plan for developing the Central Bedfordshire Advice Strategy

Minutes of Bedford Borough Planning Group meeting on 13th May 2010

1st draft of Bedford Borough Advice Strategy

Action Plan for developing the Bedford Borough Advice Strategy - May 2010

Minutes of Central Bedfordshire Planning Group meeting on 7th June 2010

1st draft of Central Bedfordshire Advice Strategy

Action Plan for developing the Central Bedfordshire Advice Strategy - June 2010

Update report and work plan for Bedford Borough Advice Strategy - September 2010 

Update report and work plan for Central Bedfordshire Advice Strategy - September 2010

Minutes of Bedford Borough Planning Group meeting on 3rd November 2010

Update report - Bedford Borough - November 2010

Report on developing Advice Strategy - Bedford Borough - November 2010

Draft structure for Advice Strategy - Bedford Borough - November 2010

Minutes of Central Bedfordshire Planning Group meeting on 5th November 2010

Update report - Central Bedfordshire - November 2010

Report on developing an Advice Strategy - Central Bedfordshire - November 2010

Draft structure for Advice Strategy - Central Bedfordshire - November 2010

Minutes of Bedford Borough Planning Group meeting on 24th November 2010

Bedford Borough Advice Strategy - Draft 2 - November 2010

Minutes of Central Bedfordshire Planning Group meeting on 10th December 2010

Central Bedfordshire Advice Strategy - Draft 3 - December 2010