Bulletin Contents - 5 January 2007

Feedback on the New e-Bulletin Style

Avoiding Pitfalls of Licensing Act

Homeworking Today

CRB Online

Investing in Change

Reducing the Admin Burden

Using an Outcomes Approach

Futurebuilders eNewsletter

Local Authority Funding Boost

Happy New Year from High Peak CVS

Happy New Year to all of our members and colleagues from everyone at High Peak CVS. 2007 is the CVSs’ 5th anniversary, so we hope to see you at one of the special events we are organizing through the year. More details to follow!

Feedback on the New e-Bulletin Style

This e-news bulletin gained this new style towards the end of 2006. We’re currently evaluating how effective it is, so please let us know if you like it. We’d also be interested in hearing if it makes it easier to find items of interest to read them, and in particular if anyone is having problems getting the bulletin to format properly on their screen (if, for example you have your email set to “plain text”). Email thoughts and comments to Tony: tony@highpeakcvs.org.uk 

Avoiding Pitfalls of Licensing Act

A new briefing from Voluntary Arts Network, 'What's happening with the Licensing Act 2003?', provides an update on the Act since its implementation, and helps organisations avoid some of the pitfalls that have arisen in the first twelve months of its operation. In pdf format (178kb) from http://www.voluntaryarts.org/uploaded/map4449.pdf

Homeworking Today

A new factsheet from personnel body CIPD is on teleworking (using phone and computer from a home base), looking its growth and the managerial challenges raised. http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/wrkgtime/flexwking/telework.htm .

CRB Online

The Criminal Records Bureau this week (3rd January) launched its new online service, allowing users to check the progress of their application online. News release www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=4499 , or go to www.crb.gov.uk/tracking   

Investing in Change

Capacitybuilders, the government-sponsored agency with responsibility to manage the ChangeUp programme (£70 million for the 2 years to March 2008) to put in place a high-quality, sustainable infrastructure for the voluntary sector, has launched its consultation on priorities for the period to 2014.

The Destination 2014 web site (www.destination2014.org.uk) has been set up using the Typepad blogging platform, making it easy to leave comments on sections of the consultation document. Or download yje document in full (pdf, 370kb) from www.capacitybuilders.typepad.com/capacity_builders.pdf  

There are regional events around England from late January to early March, with the consultation running to 30th March.

The East Midlands event takes place on Tuesday 6th Feb 2007, 9.30am – 2.00pm (time to be confirmed, but will include a working lunch) at Nottingham Gateway Hotel, Nuthall Road, Nottingham, NG8 6AZ,

During the day CapacityBuilders will also be taking the opportunity to ask your views on proposals for the future delivery of National Support Services (known until now as “The Hubs” and also for learning and innovation activities that they plan to undertake.  Details of these areas of work will be sent to you with your joining instructions once you have confirmed your attendance at the event (by completing the booking form at www.eastmidlandsinfrastructure.org.uk/about/news.asp) To confirm and book a place at the event, complete and return the booking form by Wed 10th January to Jenni Parker via email:  jenniparker@engage-em.org.uk
  .

Reducing the Admin Burden

The Charity Commission has committed to reducing the administration burden it puts on charities by at least 25% (by cost) over the next three years, as part of the government's recently trumpeted Administrative Burdens Reduction Project. Its Simplification Plan, published in December, includes Charities Act provisions such as changes in audit thresholds as well as proposals such as improving guidance so less external costs are incurred in preparing Annual Returns.

Using an Outcomes Approach

At High Peak CVS on the Friday 2nd & Friday 9th February

Two day training event around effective planning using an outcomes approach. An outcomes approach ensures you monitor and evaluate your activates in a way that clearly shows the contribution they are making to the client group, therefore enabling you to become more effective in achieving your aims; by keeping you focused on your aims and on your client target group & identifying what works well and what could be improved.

Please book with Sabina Talib, Learning Development Advisor at Derbyshire Learning and Development Forum, on, 01332 265965

Futurebuilders eNewsletter

Futurebuilders has launched a new eNewsletter to help social enterprises and voluntary and community groups identify alternative finance and share best investment practice. www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk/content/News/newstest/article_37_239.aspx?iid=72

Local Authority Funding Boost

Local government minister Phil Woolas has announced that local authorities in England will receive more than £65 billion in 2007/08, a 4.9% increase on 2006/07. Drawing on the recent white paper, the minister challenged local authorities to use the stability of multi-year settlements to plan better and provide more stable funding for partners in the third sector. www.communities.gov.uk