FOCUS ON

Council Budget Conversation
Residents are being encouraged to have their say on how the Council should prioritise spending for 2027/28. The Council continues to face a challenging financial environment, with rising costs and anticipated real-term reductions in funding. Planning is now underway to address the expected financial pressures for the next financial year. Current forecasts indicate a budget shortfall of £10.906 million in 2027/28, increasing cumulatively to £44.029 million by 2030/31. To help shape future decisions, the Council is seeking feedback from residents to ensure local priorities are reflected in how money is spent and where savings may be needed. As part of the engagement, residents will be asked to identify the services they consider most important, as well as how they would like funding to be allocated across key areas such as Education, Roads and Housing. To participate in the Budget conversation, please visit: https://arcg.is/Hqf5T1 

Third Sector Leadership Conference
Thanks to all sector colleagues who helped make the recent Third Sector Leadership Conference – Volunteers’ Week 2026, held at Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, such a successful day. Comprising a series of morning plenary sessions and post lunch workshops, the day offered opportunities for sector colleagues to connect with each other and some of the significant social and policy issues facing West Dunbartonshire. You can see photos of the day here

Cash First Communities Conference 2026
Trussell and the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) will host this in-person conference in Glasgow on Monday 22^nd June. The agenda will feature plenary and workshop sessions looking at progress to embed a cash-first, income-focused approach to food insecurity in Scotland and further afield. Book your place early here There is likely to be a high level of interest in this event. Further details will be published soon. 

Climate Action Hub Seed Fund 2026-27
Community groups can apply for up to £1500 to start or scale up any community projects which support moving towards a sustainable world. For example, projects which: 
– Help reduce emissions or other environmental damage
– Protect or enhance local biodiversity
– Help build resilience, and adapt to climate change 
– Raise awareness and prompt climate action 
– Reduce waste through reuse, recycling and upcycling 
Applications close 5pm 31st July 2026. The fund must be fully spent, and end of project survey completed by 28th February 2027. We are happy to discuss your proposal with you prior to receiving your application form. You can contact the Hub Lead, Ruth at ruth@wdcvs.com for support. Find out more here

Funding Research – IVAR
Charities have described the process of applying for funding as “soul destroying” in a report published by the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR). The 2026 Funding Experience Survey asked 1,200 charities about their experiences of applying for funding. Funding pressures included increased competition for funding (84%), rising costs and narrowing eligibility (69%), funders pausing or closing (61%), and growing service demand (60%). You can access the full report here  Groups in West Dunbartonshire looking for funding can access support from WDCVS. There are also plans for a Funders Fayre in the Autumn. Surgery appointments can be booked here

Equality guidance published
This provides guidance and up-to-date examples of how the Equality Act 2010 applies to everyday situations. It includes the Supreme Court (SC) ruling in April 2025, which said sex means biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. It offers examples and advice to help providers make decisions for everyday scenarios such as toilet provision or when it might be legitimate to make enquiries about an individual’s sex. Other changes include highlighting protections for disabled people and advice on pregnancy, maternity and age discrimination. Once in force, the code will have legal status as a statutory code of practice on how service providers, public functions and associations can meet the duties in the Equality Act 2010. Read the code