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Main Content
The following content is the main page content.
Sector News
Fundraising licensing move to Charity Commission postponed
Third Sector magazine reports that implementation of part 3 of the Charities Act 2006, which would make the Charity Commission the lead regulator of public charitable collections in England and Wales, has been postponed indefinitely. Charities minister Nick Hurd has said it will not be discussed until next year.
Until part 3 is brought in local authorities have full licensing responsibility. See news item at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/1022208/.
Big Society evidence and research
(Part of a Big Society news round-up)
Umbrella body for the sector in England NCVO has created a web area 'The Big Society - the evidence base' to bring together key sources and materials, to inform the debate and thinking.
National Citizen Service update
(Part of a Big Society news round-up)
The first stage of the competitive commissioning process for the National Citizen Service pilots closed last week (25th August) when an expression of interest had to be submitted. The Office for Civil Society wants applicants to able to provide all parts of the volunteering programme, which is likely to mean charities forming consortia to qualify.
Big Society gets a Bank and four communities
(Part of a Big Society news round-up)
Nonprofit Social Media Decision Guide
American nonprofit software information provider Idealware has created a Decision Guide with a step-by-step process to decide what social media channels make sense for your organisation, using a workbook, guide, and the results of more than six months of research. Some elements, such as the consultants directory, will be of less relevance over here.
Empowering communities to improve their neighbourhoods
The results of the Sustainable Development Commission's work on enabling local communities to lead neighbourhood renewal projects has been published as 'The Future is Local: Empowering communities to improve their neighbourhoods'.
Sector information on health commissioning changes
The Public Service Delivery Network of NCVO has new web pages dedicated to the reform, commissioning and delivery of health services in England, to provide up-to-date information and stimulate debate, http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/health.
Taskforce to tackle voluntary sector "red tape"
A "red-tape taskforce to flush out burdens on the voluntary sector" has been announced by the government.
NCVO's president Lord Hodgson will chair the taskforce, and other members are Andrew Hind, retiring Chief Executive of the Charity Commission; Lynne Berry, chief executive WRVS, David Tyler, chief executive Community Matters, Sir Graham Melmoth, retiring chair NCVO and past chief executive Co-operative Group and David Thompson, chair of Marstons PLC.
Improving health through art
A new website which promotes "using the arts to improve the nation's health" has launched at http://www.cultureandwellbeing.org.uk.
Culture and Wellbeing signposts individuals and organisations which are using the arts to influence health, plus research, guidelines and other useful sources of information.
(Source: Voluntary Arts England newsletter)
Introduction to quality standards
A second, updated, edition of 'First steps in quality' from Charities Evaluation Services provides a "plain English" introduction to quality standards and the potential benefits of being a quality organisation. It compares the most popular quality standards and kitemarks in the sector and helps with choosing the right one.
Understanding power to achieve social change
New from NCVO, 'Power and social change' aims to help voluntary organisations think strategically about how to bring about change, complementing practical guides about how to do a power analysis or design and implement a campaign, drawing on both theory and practice.
Developing the idea of volunteering using a mobile phone
Using mobile phones to do small chunks of volunteering while out and about is being explored by phone company Orange. The company is inviting ideas for tasks that could be completed in this way, with some initial suggestions such as giving charities opinions on requested topics, mapping local community services, or assisting blind people by recording audio snippets. The best ten will become part of a volunteering app to be launched later in the year.
Keeping children safe in BME communities
The Safe Network, jointly managed by the NSPCC and Children England, has produced a resource for trainers and group leaders to raise awareness about keeping children safe which is specifically aimed at those working with or in black and minority ethnic communities.
Proposals for benefit reforms
The Department for Work and Pensions is consulting on '21st Century' reforms to the benefits and Tax Credits system, including the idea of a single integrated Universal Credit, http://www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2010/21st-century-welfare/.
Deadline 1st October.
Extending Freedom of Information in Scotland
The Scottish Government has a consultation on whether existing Freedom of Information legislation should be widened to cover a greater range of bodies who deliver public services in Scotland.
The future of workforce skills development
The government is consulting on the future direction of skills policy contained in its 'Skills for Sustainable Growth' document.
Impact of Charity Commission online strategy
The Charity Commission is seeking views on the potential impact of aiming to have all of its services online by 2012.
News item at http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/RSS/News/pr_eqia.aspx or go direct. Runs to 29th October.
Update: VAT on supply of buildings for charitable purpose
A further update from HM Revenue and Customs on VAT changes in relation to buildings to be used solely for a relevant residential or charitable purpose. This is when the "option to tax" can be excluded on supplies of a building or part of a building that is to be used 95 per cent or more for a relevant purpose.
Leaflet on applying for charity status in Scotland
The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has a new leaflet, 'Becoming a Charity in Scotland', giving advice to those organisations considering applying for charitable status.
Probably better to download the Word version, as the pdf is almost 6MB and an odd shape.
Give your views on proposed Poverty Impact Fund
The Department for International Development is inviting views on a new Poverty Impact Fund to be launched later this year, for UK civil society organisations focusing on delivering the Millennium Development Goals.
