Completing the 2011 Census questionnaire is required by law and anyone who does not could be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000.

The 2011 Census takes place in England and Wales on 27 March 2011. A census is a count of a population and one has been held in England and Wales every 10 years since 1801 (except in 1941 during World War II). The information that the census provides describes the make-up of the population, helping central and local government to understand the needs of local communities, and to plan and prioritise resources such as housing, education, health and transport services for years to come. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is responsible for running the census in England and Wales and for producing accurate statistics that are vital for government, business, community groups, in fact everyone.

Further information and guidance has been provided, with specific guides created for care providers to give the information and tools they may need to help others complete their census questionnaire.

Completing the 2011 Census questionnaire is required by law and anyone who does not could be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000.

The census gathers information to describe and understand the characteristics of the population so that central and local government are able to plan services such as housing, education, healthcare and transport services for years to come.

The 2011 Census is vital in helping to describe today’s complex, diverse society, to understand people’s needs for public services and to plan how these will be delivered at national, regional and local levels over the next ten years.

There will be lots of help available from 4 March 2011, ready for when your questionnaire arrives on or after 7 March 2011. Online help will be at www.census.gov.uk, the same site as the secure online questionnaire. You will also be able to download guidance about the questions www.census.gov.uk

Some people in the community may face specific challenges such as language, literacy, sight, hearing or other factors that make it difficult for them to complete their census questionnaires independently. Therefore specific guides have been created for care providers to give the information and tools they may need to help others complete their census questionnaire.

A range of options is available to provide assistance, including online questionnaire completion and online help, a telephone helpline, language support and face-to-face guidance from field staff responding to requests for extra assistance.

• 2011 Census general information
• Carer’s, helper’s and supporter’s guide
• Guide for care support workers working in people’s own homes or day centres
• Guide for care support workers working in residential homes
• Guide for frontline public service staff
• Handy checklist
• Guide for people caring for, helping or supporting someone in their own home

North Wales Housing (NWH) has launched an exciting new initiative offering local people the chance to choose how funding is allocated to local causes.

Under the innovative ‘Participatory Budget’ scheme, residents representing community groups, clubs, organisations as well as individuals from the Colwyn Bay and Old Colwyn areas, are invited to submit their ideas, describing a project that they feel would benefit from a cash boost.

With £6,000 available, NWH is keen to allocate the funding across a number of projects with values ranging from £100 to up to £750. From leaky scout hut roofs, to a garden make over at the over 60’s club, to building an allotment for local children to grow their own vegetables, this initiative could offer an ideal kick start to lift a project off the ground.

To download an application form or for further information, please email support@pb-wales.org.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Amie Cavanagh on 01492563251. Please note deadline for entry is 31st January.

Once all nominations have been received, a public vote will be held on 28th February at Eirias Park Leisure Centre to which all local residents will be invited to attend. The projects to receive the highest number of votes will gain funding and work will begin at the schemes shortly afterwards.

Cher Williamson of North Wales Housing said: “NWH is the first housing association in Wales to embrace and implement the participatory budget incentive and we are really proud of early involvement.

“We launched this initially in the Cae Bold area where it was a huge success and most of the projects are now well underway. This time, in Colwyn, we have been match funded by the Welsh Assembly and therefore have a bigger pot of money that can be used to support more local projects.

“We’re definitely open to any ideas – the only criteria being that it must be of benefit to the local community. This is a really exciting initiative for us and we look forward to receiving a broad range of proposals that will all be put to the public vote””

Visit: http://www.nwha.org.uk/en/latest-news-and-events/your-bay-your-say for more information.