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Bulletin Contents - 9 July 2007Councils and Charities Should Get on Better, Says Report Fire Safety for Outdoor Events Campaigning for Local Sector Independence Accredited Learning for Management Committees
FUNDING UPDATEGovernance Hub Partnership Programme Vodafone UK Foundation Launches Reach with £5m Funds BizFizz - Unlock Business Potential In Your Community Tenant Empowerment Programme - Right to Manage Grants (England) |
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New Health StatsThe Depatment of Health have produced new health profiles, giving a snapshot of health in each district area. With other local information, this Health Profile has been designed to support action by local government and primary care trusts to tackle health inequalities and improve people’s health. Health Profiles are funded by the Department of Health and produced annually by the Association of Public Health Observatories. Information from them is useful to support funding bids around a range of issues. View the health profile for the High Peak at: |
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Trading for CharitiesDoes your charity trade? The Charities Commission have published updated guidance sets out how to ensure your charity trades effectively and within the law.
This new guidance is available at: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/cc35.asp |
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Testing Office EquipmentThe latest 'Myth of the month' explained by the Health and Safety Executive: "All office equipment must be tested by a qualified electrician every year". (One we've heard promoted by several electricians.) Their response - No. The law requires employers to assess risks and take appropriate action. HSE’s advice is that for most office electrical equipment, visual checks for obvious signs of damage and perhaps simple tests by a competent member of staff are quite sufficient. See http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/index.htm for more, such as the office electrical safety leaflet (pdf, 45kb) at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf. |
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Councils and Charities Should Get on Better, Says ReportLocal area agreements have been a missed opportunity to strengthen relationships between the voluntary sector and local government and increase public service delivery by the sector, according to a report published last week by the National Audit Office. The report also says LAAs and the third sector public services agenda have been developed "in parallel, by different parts of central government, with few, weak links between the two." LAAs are contracts between councils and central government that are designed to devolve greater power over public services to a local level. The report concludes that LAAs have so far failed to capitalise on the chance to improve links between charities and councils. "There is no evidence that they have increased public service delivery by the third sector, or that they will do so in the future," the report says. More information and to read the full 3rd Sector article. |
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Fire Safety for Outdoor EventsThe last of its series of fire safety guides, on outdoor events, has been published by the Department for Communities and Local Government The full list of guides is at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1162101. (From Sandy Adirondack's legal update) |
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Video Guide to CRB ChecksThe Criminal Records Bureau has produced an online video guide to shed light on the Disclosure process, from why you might need a check and how to go about getting one to receiving the results. It provides a clear and concise explanation of the application process. In Flash format at http://www.crb.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=4762. |
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Wild Words for Wild TimesOn a wild night on Buxton market place, be it sultry or wet, what better place to be than in the company of storytellers, poets and performing artists? “Telling Tales” is an evening of alternative entertainment held monthly at The Eagle Hotel on the Market Place, Buxton Comperes Julian Cohen and Tony Boden are the regular hosts “We are delighted with the response so far,” said Julian “ There is such diverse talent in the area, and every month brings a different and interesting mix. We never know what to expect, which adds to the enjoyment!” The evening starts at 8.30pm on a Thursday night and is open to all to come along and perform or just relax and enjoy the atmosphere. People are encouraged to read their own poems, tales, or songs and if performance art is your scene, then why not go along and show what you can do. If it’s your first time at standing up in public - this is the place to start. The evening is informal and fun. Upcoming dates are Thursday 19th July / 16th August More info: Andréa Lewis 01298 25281 andrea.lewis@virgin.net |
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New Minister for the SectorFollowing Gordon Brown's Cabinet reshuffle, the Minister for the Third Sector is Phil Hope MP, previously Minister for Skills at the Department for Education and Skills. He is a former teacher who has also worked as youth policy adviser for NCVO and was head of the young volunteer resources unit at the National Youth Bureau. He chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Voluntary Sector when he was first elected as an MP. His predecessor as Third Sector minister, Ed Miliband, is now his boss, as Minister for the Cabinet Office. Cabinet Office news item at At the same time, David Blunkett has been appointed to develop policies on the voluntary and community sector for the next Labour election manifesto. The former Home Secretary is one of a 14-strong group that will be drawing up 'mini-manifestos' for Ed Miliband, who will have overall responsibility for pulling together the manifesto. http://politics.guardian.co.uk/gordonbrown/story/0,,2115984,00.html. |
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Campaigning for Local Sector IndependenceA survey of organisations across England belonging to the Local Compact Voice network found that the majority of funded groups were afraid to campaign in case their funding would be affected, and that local public bodies do not understand the importance of sector independence. 'Stronger Independence, Stronger Relationships, Better Outcomes' was published on 4th July as part of a campaign to promote local voluntary sector independence. See news item, with link to the report, at http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=5468. |
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Accredited Learning for Management CommitteesThe Governance Hub and the Workforce Hub are piloting the first accredited learning scheme for trustees and committee members. Based on the National Occupational Standards for Trustees and Management Committee Members and accredited by the National Open College Network, learning providers will be able to deliver accredited programmes across England once the pilot has been completed in 2008. http://www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/DisplayPage.asp?pageid=11326 |
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FUNDING UPDATE |
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Governance Hub Partnership ProgrammeThe Governance Hub has launched the next round of its Partnership Programme - a small grants programme. The Hub is looking to work in partnership with umbrella organisations and federated charities to support and develop a significant improvement in the quality of governance within the sector at a national, regional and local level. Specifically the Hub is interested in funding and supporting projects which will: Increase governance capacity within the sector Develop skills and support for trustees Develop skills and support for advisers Promote good governance Closing date for applications to the programme is 23 August 2007. http://www.governancehub.org.uk/Home/Working%20with%20the%20Hub.shtml |
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Vodafone UK Foundation Launches Reach with £5m FundsThe Vodafone UK Foundation focuses on helping 16-25 year olds facing exclusion from society, whether reaching a cross road in their lives, struggling with emotional well-being or having difficulty accessing the information that they need. It is committed to creating sustainable change and working collaboratively with its charity partners providing a range of resources in addition to financial support wherever possible. It also supports local communities in areas where Vodafone has a significant physical presence and Vodafone employees who are involved in community activities. Reach is The Vodafone UK Foundation’s flagship three year £5m funding programme. Reach will fund charities working in collaboration helping 16-25 year olds facing exclusion from society. Charities are currently being invited to apply for the funding with a view for the winning programme to be announced in November 2007, commencing work in April 2008. The Vodafone UK Foundation has launched a call to action for charities to apply for Reach, its flagship funding programme. The foundation is inviting charities to apply for £5m funding across three years for work helping 16-25 year olds facing exclusion from society. To be eligible, charities must apply in collaboration – either in pairs or wider groups. It is hoped that through working in collaboration and establishing this approach at the outset, the Reach programme can drive a step change to service delivery for young people. For the Reach programme, the vision of working together will be crucial to deciding the successful entrant and we hope that charities will be inspired by this opportunity. The Vodafone UK Foundation, Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, RG14 2FN |
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BizFizz - Unlock Business Potential In Your CommunityFollowing on from the success of their 10 projects across England, BizFizz are now inviting applications for new projects for start up in Spring 2008. BizFizz unlocks business potential using local networks and the skills of key individuals, to assist local entrepreneurs overcome barriers to success or growth. The BizFizz programme is available to communities around England. The programme offers a comprehensive induction, training & support programme that will enable local entrepreneurs to run a BizFizz project.They are looking for individuals or groups with the interest and initiative to drive forward a BizFizz project in their community. They will help you to stimulate interest in BizFizz amongst local people, businesses, your local authority and other relevant agencies and to prepare your bid for funding a BizFizz project. Places are limited - community involvement and enthusiasm will be a key criteria within the selection process. Contact: Paul Squires at The Civic Trust, Essex Hall, Essex Street, London WC2R 3HU Tel: 020 7539 7910 Email: psquires@civictrust.org.uk For further information visit Website: www.bizfizz.org.uk |
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Tenant Empowerment Programme - Right to Manage GrantsThe Tenant Empowerment Programme supports the Government's housing aims of increasing the effectiveness of housing management and improving the quality of life of local authority residents. The programme enables local authority tenants to access independent advice, training and information directly. This helps them to challenge, influence or control how housing services are delivered to their communities. Right to Manage grants are made available to help tenants consider the management options available to them and then to provide support through the process. Total fund value is £ 2.6 million which refers to the entire Tenant Empowerment Programme allocation for 2007/08, which is set by Ministers each year. Applications for funding will be considered subject to the availability of funds. Prospective applicants should visit the Housing Corporation's website for application forms and extensive guidance on the programme (see the link below). |
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