CAN feeds into Newark & Sherwood Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). The representative, Joy Allison, was elected by the membership and reports back to them with each CAN mailing. Her 'Bulletins' are available to members on this Web site. Member organisations can view these by clicking here, where they will be asked to log in to the Members Area.

CAN takes forward issues raised by member organisations during CAN meetings or directly with the Steering Group. CAN takes a particular interest in social inclusion issues. The LSP has recently been restructured and CAN is represented on the Stronger Communities and  Rural Networking Groups as well as the Management Group, which links the working groups to the Board, where the community and voluntary sector is represented by Julia Hughes from Newark & Sherwood CVS.

Under the new restructure, the former Culture Issues Group has disappeared and the Stronger Communities Working Group has assumed responsibility for the local target dealing with cultural enrichment. CAN would particularly welcome more members whose interests are in arts, history, heritage, sport, culture etc. to enable us to be more representative in this area.

Our role within Stronger Communities will cover a wide range of issues from transport to the environment.

The Rural Networking Group is working to ensure that people throughout the district are able to take an equal part in community life and has developed guidelines for anyone organising events or activities to ensure that this is possible.

CAN's Action Plan is now under review. The current plan expires in June 2010. Previous plans have been for two years, but to bring our cycle into line with the other LSP groups, the next one will cover the period up to June 2013.

CAN aims to:  develop and increase the number of volunteers and the variety of opportunities available to them document the work the community and voluntary sectors do and improve communication channels among partners secure the future of the voluntary and community sector

It is intended that these aims will be achieved by: working with partners to improve volunteer opportunities across partner agencies recording activity and specialism of the voluntary and community sector working throughout the district supporting the Funding Advice Service to maximise income to voluntary organisations including the use of new funding information software.