IHBC director Seán O’Reilly warmly welcomed the decision to establish a new focus for civic interests in England, the Civic Voice, which will be launched on 17 April.
Seán O’Reily said: “We’re delighted that this new organisation, Civic Voice, will help give a national focus to local civic interest in England’s places. That voice has been sorely lacking in recent discussions on how best to manage our places, and we’re delighted that this new organisation, the Civic Voice, is to be launched.”
Tony Burton, Director of the Civic Society Initiative, writes: ‘I am pleased to let you know that a new national charity for the civic movement in England is to be launched on Saturday 17 April. http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/launch.html This follows the work of the Civic Society Initiative over the last year to help find a way forward for the civic movement following closure of the Civic Trust in April 2009.
The new charity – to be known as Civic Voice – will help strengthen the network of civic societies and other local groups and lobby and campaign to make the places where everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive. It will promote civic pride. Over 920 civic societies have registered with the Civic Society Initiative which is over 250 more than were registered with the Civic Trust when it closed. We are now asking civic societies and other groups wishing to become full members to pay an annual levy of £1.50 per member with a view to establishing Civic Voice on an independent financial footing. We aim to achieve this in 3 years. These groups and their members will also benefit from partnerships with NCVO, National Trust, The Co-operative Bank and Bluefin insurance among others.
We are keen that Civic Voice helps provide a focus for the wide range of organisations and interests embraced by the civic movement and it will be possible for voluntary groups, local authorities, parish and town councils, businesses and individuals to join.
We are recruiting now for 8 trustees to lead Civic Voice, including a Chair and Treasurer. Details are attached and I should be very grateful if you could promote this opportunity within your own networks. Our success in the first few years will depend on a combination of effective leadership and strong grassroots support. The closing date is 14 March 2010.’
