Sector News
National Citizen Service
The government will launch a National Citizen Service scheme, through which charities, voluntary groups and businesses will organise summer volunteering placements for 16-year-olds.
A series of pilot projects that will begin next year. More details on third sector magazine here.
The government plans to run a pilot for around 10,000 young people from June to September 2011, and they will begin a competitive tendering exercise for organisations to deliver these pilots. A specification document will be published on 2 August, inviting potential providers to submit bids. Organisations will develop bids from then, the successful candidates will be announced at the end of October, at the latest.
More about the commissioning process on the Cabinet office's website here.
Public now more discriminating about financial management in charities
The public is becoming more discriminating about financial management in charities, according to new public opinion research commissioned by the Charity Commission. The research shows people are placing increasing importance on knowing how charities spend their money and what they achieve.
More on the Charity Commission website here.
Vetting and Barring Scheme Halted
The Home Office has announced that registration with the vetting and barring scheme has been halted to allow the Government to review and remodel it. The scheme would have meant that staff and volunteers working with children and vulnerable adults would have to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The Government will now review the plans and a new system will be put in place. More here: http://digbig.com/5bbwak
Coping With Spending Cuts
Latest briefing from the National Council of Civil Orgainsation (NCVO).
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/copingwithcuts
Volunteer Management Portal
Volunteering England has launched a volunteer management portal with links to over a thousand resources across England. For the first time, information on support, training and development opportunities for people managing volunteers is available to view in one single place.
www.volunteering.org.uk/vmportal
New cabinet at Waltham Forest Council
Cabinet Members and their responsibilities:
Cllr Chris Robbins - Leader (incl. Regeneration, Olympics, Town Centres)
Cllr Afzal Akram - Corporate Resources
Cllr Saima Mahmud - Children and Young People
Cllr Clyde Loakes - Environment
Cllr Angie Bean - Health, Adults and Older People
Cllr Geraldine Reardon - Leisure, Arts and Culture
Cllr Marie Pye - Housing and Development (incl. Planning & Equalities)
Cllr Liaquat Ali - Communities (incl. Crime and Voluntary Sector)
Quick Guide to Local Government
Local Government Association. http://bit.ly/lgquickguid
National indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships
The Audit Commission has a new National Indicator information portal, with the latest definitions, frequently asked questions and clarifications for each of the national indicators, and the targets to be met by local government. http://bit.ly/acniport
The new Government
The Coalition: programme for government
The Government has published its key policy plans, covering areas such as political reform, public health, schools and education, tackling the deficit and reform of the banking system. http://bit.ly/dgpol
New Cabinet
Details of the new Cabinet and a number of other ministerial appointments can be found on the Number 10 website. http://bit.ly/10hmgL
Office of Civil Society
The Office of the Third Sector in the Cabinet Office is now the Office of Civil Society. http://bit.ly/covolsec
Nick Hurd is the minister responsible for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in the Cabinet Office. He will be known as the Minister for Civil Society. www.nickhurd.com.
Queen's Speech
The Queen outlined the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition's legislative programme in her speech at the State Opening of Parliament on 25 May. New Bills to be introduced include: Health; Local Government; Welfare Reform. Full text of the Queen's Speech (No 10 website): http://bit.ly/no10qs10. Summary (BBC website): http://bit.ly/bbcqsbbb.
Government information
The websites for most Government departments are set to change with the new Government. If you need old content, you can find it via the National Archives, http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. In particular the Office of the Third Sector pages are at http://bit.ly/archiveots
Vodcast: Deborah Allcock Tyler
In NAVCA's latest vodcast Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of Directory of Social Change, talks to Kevin Curley about cuts in grants for local voluntary and community groups. www.navca.org.uk/podcasts
Equality Act
Sandy Adirondack has summarised the main points of the Equality Act 2010 that voluntary organisations need to know about as employers and providers of services, facilities and goods, and has listed some action points. www.sandy-a.co.uk/employment.htm#equality-act
The Charity Commission’s website has been redesigned to make it easier, faster and more convenient for you to deal with the Charity Commission online. The application process has been made more efficient and easier to use. There is also a wide range of publications and free guidance available on the site. Another new feature is their e-mail alerts service for when any new guidance or changes are announced. Visit the updated site.
London Health Commission - Awards 2010
Calling London’s community groups and small and medium businesses. The London Health Commission 2010 Awards are now open for applications.
Find out more about the awards. Click here to apply.
The London Health Commission works in partnership with agencies across the capital to reduce health inequalities and improve the health and well being of all Londoners.
Deadline extended to Friday 18th June 2010.
Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Voluntary and Community organisations
This is a national specialist infrastructure and membership organisation. We focus on the development and support of LGBT groups, organisations and projects; so they can deliver direct services and campaign for individual rights.
Membership of the Consortium is free and open to any voluntary or community
group, network or organisation that provides services, support or other activities specifically for the LGBT communities.
W: www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk E: information@lgbtconsortium.org.uk
T: 020 7064 8383
The 'Big Society'
A "round table event" in the Cabinet Room of Number 10 Downing Street was used as the launch to the Big Society programme.
A number of civil society community activists and leaders were invited to debate the policies. Official news release has a link to the 3 page policy agreement, or direct link to pdf, 2KB, www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/407789/building-big-society.pdf.
The Number 10 web page at www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/big-society-50248 includes a two minute video with some of the activists speaking.
The PM and deputy PM speeches are available.
The policies include:
-- Encouraging volunteering and involvement in social action, including a "Big Society Day".
-- Training a new generation of community organisers and supporting the creation of neighbourhood groups.
-- Supporting the creation and expansion of mutuals, co-operatives, charities and social enterprises, and their involvement in the running of public services.
-- Funds from dormant bank accounts to provide new finance for neighbourhood groups, charities, social enterprises and other nongovernmental bodies.
One of the initiators of the Big Society idea with a background in social enterprise, Nat Wei, has been appointed as adviser on the programme, becoming a member of the House of Lords.
"During the initial phase, Nat will be working on designing the approach to building the Big Society and engaging with civil society groups, alongside Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society." Another official news release.
Some news coverage:
The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/18/david-cameron-big-society-plan, Third Sector with reaction from sector bodies at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/News/1004301/. The blog from 'hyperlocal' web evangelist William Perrin, who was there, is at http://talkaboutlocal.org.uk/bigsociety/
Small Charity Week 14-18th June
Call 020 7009 3543 or see smallcharityweek.branchingoutmedia.co.uk
Good news! Community Channel is now on Freeview 24 hours a day
This means that all Freeview viewers will now be able to watch the full range of brilliant programming that has until now only been available on Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and Freeview 87 between 6-9am.
Community Channel is the UK’s only national TV and online platform dedicated to communities, their stories and the organisations that support them.
Tell your story and that of those you work with, be involved in innovative programming and add a unique dimension to your campaign. Get in touch or call them on 020 7217 3642.
Fit Notes to Replace Sick Notes from April 2010
From April 2010 the current 'sick note' will be replaced by the Statement of Fitness for Work or 'fit note'.This legislation will affect all employers in Great Britain.
More details on the ACAS website here: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx
Political parties say how they will support voluntary and community action.
The three main political parties have told the National Association of Voluntary and Community Associations (NAVCA) their plans supporting voluntary and community action.
These articles are here: www.navca.org.uk/news/electionarticles
Compact event in London
Compact Voice will be holding a series of Local Compact implementation events around the country. The event in London is on 25th May at the Resource Centre, Holloway Road.
You can register your interest in attending (all events are free) by emailing them at events@compactvoice.org.uk with your full name and your town or city.
The Budget
For a briefing from Horwarth Clark Whitehill about how the budget on 24 March affects charities and aother not for profits, please click here.
Charities and Elections
Click here for a PDF guide to Charities and Elections.
This guide is for use by charities during the period between the announcement of an election, and the date on which an election is held. It applies to both national and local elections.
This brief guidance should be read in conjunction with the Charity Commission's more detailed guidance on the wider subject of Speaking Out: Guidance on campaigning and political activities by charities (CC9). The principles described in Speaking Out continue to apply during an election period.
This guidance sits alongside other requirements, such as electoral law, which apply to charities and non-charities alike.
Bogus Charities targeted
The ‘Give with Care’ campaign was launched by the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) on 12th February. It aims to raise levels of public awareness about bogus charity collections.
Bogus charitable collections can seriously undermine public trust and confidence in charities. The aim of the campaign is to encourage people to give, but also to ensure that their donations benefit the charitable sector.
To download a leaflet please click here.
Vetting and barring scheme could deter volunteers, says Navca
By Kaye Wiggins, Third Sector Online, 5 February 2010
Kevin Curley, chief executive of local umbrella body Navca, has written to third sector minister Angela Smith setting out his fears that the new vetting and barring scheme will deter people from volunteering and will be expensive and time-consuming for small voluntary and community groups.
To read more abou this on the Third Sector Magazine website click here.
Payments Council assures sector that cheques will not go before 2018
By Kaye Wiggins, Third Sector Online, 5 February 2010
Council tells umbrella groups it will hold workshops for charities concerned by the phase-out
Banks will not phase out cheques before 2018, the Payments Council has assured sector umbrella groups.
To read more abou this on the Third Sector Magazine website click here.
Consolidated charity law to wait until after election
By Paul Jump, Third Sector Online, 2 February 2010
The plan to combine all the main elements of charity law in a single, user-friendly statute has been put on hold until a new Parliament has been elected.
To read more about this on the Third Sector Magazine website click here.
The Charity Awards 2010.
Entries are now being accepted. Closing date 12 March.
Visit www.charityawards.co.uk for details on how to submit an entry.
The Children's Plan Two Years On
The Government's progress report. www.navca.org.uk/teams/cyp/news
NAPP parenting programme
CWDC has taken over parenting programme work from the National Academy for Parenting Practitioners. CWDC will create a new programme to develop the parenting workforce, and will take responsibility for training the parenting workforce. http://bit.ly/parentprog or www.cwdcouncil.org.uk
Working Together to Safeguard Children consultation
The DCSF is consulting on revision of its 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' statutory guidance. The consultation closes on 11 February.
http://bit.ly/worktogsa or www.dcsf.gov.uk
DH Third Sector Update and News
From the Department of Health. http://bit.ly/dhtsnews or www.dh.gov.uk
Charity tax and VAT
The latest in the legal advice series from Society Guardian and Bates Wells and Braithwaite solicitors. http://bit.ly/chartaxvat or www.guardian.co.uk
Charity Incorporation Made Simple
From Charity Finance Directors' Group:http://bit.ly/cisimple or www.cfdg.org.uk
How are you doing?
A review of health checks used by voluntary and community sector infrastructure organisations in their capacity-building work from CES.
www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?pg=607
Visible Communities
The Lankelly Chase Foundation is funding Community Matters to provide bursaries for community organisations wishing to attain the Visible quality standard for community organisations. www.visiblecommunities.org.uk (follow the link for 'Resources').
Howard League Community Programmes
The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched its 2010 Community Programmes Awards. By finding outstanding community programmes that work with individuals who have committed crime, the awards aim to celebrate success and promote positive practice in the delivery of community sentences. Closing date for nominations is 4 May.
http://bit.ly/howardleaguecp or www.howardleague.org
OTS third sector regulation pages
These new pages should help people who run third sector organisations by: highlighting recent and ongoing changes and initiatives that are intended to make life easier for them; links to more detailed information. http://bit.ly/tsreg or www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/thirdsector
Keeping it legal
The Women's Resource Centre; Voice4Change; the Consortium of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary and Commnity Organisations; and NAVCA have published 'Keeping it legal: A guide to third sector organisations on public law and equality rights'. www.wrc.org.uk/equality
Take Part
Take Part is an online directory which aims to help people gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to become empowered, enabling them to make an active contribution to their communities and influence public policies and services. www.takepart.info
Cabinet Office publishes updated plan to cut red tape
The Cabinet Office has published its updated Simplification Plan, http://bit.ly/caboffsim or www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk. A key part of this plan is the Office of the Third Sector (OTS)' work to cut red tape for third sector organisations. This includes commissioning and funding practices and using regulation to empower third sector organisations. The Government welcomes ideas that will cut red tape and they can be submitted via the Better Regulation Executive website, www.betterregulation.gov.uk.
Study on Small Grants.
The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) recently commissioned the Policy Studies Institute to complete a large-scale study which explored the purpose, benefit and potential of small grants from the perspective of both funders and projects.
Small grants provide a lifeline for many organisations. Funders provide small grants to grass roots projects that deliver widespread benefits for people across the UK. You may find the content of the evaluation summary useful and a link to it is here: http://www2.biglotteryfund.org.uk/small_grants_eval.pdf
New service for Trustees.
TrusteeWorks is to help charities and voluntary organisations find the right people to build a dynamic Board and to make your organisation successful.
There's great information to guide you through governance and trustee matters and a range of options to meet your trustee recruitment needs.
Website: www.reachskills.org.uk/trusteeworks-for-organisations
Slimmed-down Compact is published
By Andy Ricketts, Third Sector Online, 16 December 2009
The new version of the agreement, which sets out how public and third sector organisations should treat each other, is 22 pages long, compared with more than 160 in the old version and its five codes of practice. It covers policy development, resource allocation and equality.
More on this story in The Third Sector Magazine here.
To go to the Compact click here.
Faith in Good Governance guide
The Faith in Good Governance guide released during National Inter Faith Week, will help trustees, staff and volunteers of charities established with a religious purpose and includes legal information, recommended good practice and practical case studies. It is particularly targeted at smaller and new organisations that operate places of worship.
Link - http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/tcc/faithgov.asp
Reponse to draft Compact agreement
The Compact on relations between government and the Voluntary and Community Sector (CVS) in England is currently being ''refreshed''. A draft version was published in July 2009 and the consultation ended in October.
Third Sector responses to this consultation are now available on the 'Compact Voice' website here. The final Compact document will be launched on 16 December 2009.
New Compact is a 'clear improvement'
More than 60% respond favourably to draft document in Compact Voice consultation
Click here to go to news story. By John Plummer, Third Sector, 6 Nov 2009
Online library of Compact resources launched
Compact Knowledge Bank will include copies of local agreements, guidance and policy briefings. Visit the new site here.
Closure of the Learning and Skills Council
From 1 April 2010 the Learning and Skills Council will no longer exist. Shadow arrangements are already being put in place for the transfer of funding for young people's learning back to local authorities.
Read more
Helping you to keep children safe
NSPCC and Children England have launched a new service aimed at protecting the eight million children taking part in voluntary activities. Safe Network will help organisations put policies and procedures in place to prevent abuse within their services, help staff recognise children who are at risk, advise on safer recruitment practices, and provide information for parents so they will know if organisations their children are involved in have sound safeguarding arrangements in place.
Read more
NCVO and the Office of Third Sector launch Funding Central
The National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) & The Office for the Third Sector (OTS) have launched Funding Central www.fundingcentral.org.uk the new free website for comprehensive information about national, local and regional government funding, national, local or regional charitable funding, and EU funding.
Read more
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