ABOUT US
Horticultural
Environmental
Community
Message from Chris
Chairman of Anglia in Bloom
The Anglia in Bloom region covers the six eastern counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Anglia in Bloom is managed by volunteer Trustees and appointed officers, elected at our AGM, who are nominated by representatives of local "In Bloom" groups. All our Trustees and Judging team give their expertise, experience and time freely to help our regional communities. Funding for the initiative is provided by our many generous sponsors and supporters.
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We hope our initiative and campaign will encourage your community to form their own "In Bloom" teams to help improve and sustain your local environment by growing more flowers and trees, developing wildlife habitat, and growing more vegetables, too.
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Please be aware that Anglia in Bloom is not a competition but a campaign. The aim is to encourage groups to take pride in their area. Our judges visit in July to see how the group is progressing and to give advice and encouragement.
An award is given, ranging from Bronze to Gold, which can then be displayed in a prominent position for all to see and hopefully encourage others to get involved
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Best wishes
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Chris
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Chris Durham
Chairman
Anglia in Bloom
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BENEFITS OF "THE BLOOM" INITIATIVE
Being part of the initiative links in with the Performance Framework for Local Authorities & Local Authority Partnerships - National Indicators NIs, which replaced the Best Value performance indicators (BVPIs) in April 2008
The BVPIs which numbered around 1200 have been reduced to 198 National Indicators (NIs).
So what are they and what are they for?
The national indicator set will be the only measures on which central government will performance manage outcomes delivered by local government working alone or in partnerships from April 2008.
In brief the NIs are focused on outcomes and their delivery through stronger partnership working, the same indicators will be used for different local partners, which would include local Friends groups and In Bloom groups.
It is not surprising how many of these new NIs that have a direct relationship with our "In Bloom" campaign and what we contribute to when improving our local environment.
Here are some of the main NIs that we contribute to through our annual “In Bloom” efforts that we deliver in our Villages, Towns and Cities. So next time you are in contact with your local authority, remember to remind them of the contributions that you are making to these new National Indicators, and then request some additional support towards your campaign.
STRONGER COMMUNITIES:
NI 5 Overall/general satisfaction with local area
NI 6 Participation in regular volunteering
NI 7 Environment for a thriving third sector
SAFER COMMUNITIES:
NI 21 Dealing with local concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime by the local council and police
NI 27 Understanding of local concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime by the local council and police
NI 45 Young offender’s engagement in suitable education, employment or training
CHILDREN and YOUNG PEOPLE:
NI 54 Services for disabled children
NI 110 Young people’s participation in positive activities
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY:
NI 188 Adapting to climate change
NI 195 Improved street and environmental cleanliness (levels of graffiti, litter, detritus and fly posting)
NI 196 Improved street and environmental cleanliness – fly tipping
NI 197 Improved local biodiversity – active management of local sites