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NEWSLETTER 31-7-08
VolResource Notes
--------------------------
The summer holidays fortnightly schedule for VolResource continues. Next
issue due to hit your inbox 14th August.
ADMINISTRATIVE
==============
Counter-terrorism strategy for charity sector
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Charity Commission has finalised its counter-terrorism strategy after
taking into account informal consultation responses on the draft. This is
now a formal statement of how it delivers a regulatory response to the
threat of terrorist involvement or abuse in the charitable sector. See
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/investigations/
ctstrategy.asp.
VAT on Challenge Events
----------------------------------
HM Revenue and Customs has confirmed that the VAT exemption for fundraising
activities is likely not to apply when accommodation (e.g. for fundraising
holidays, challenge events) is involved. See Sandy Adirondack's Legal
Update, http://www.sandy-a.co.uk/managing.htm#vat-challenge, or for the
full details section 10 (page 32) of the latest Notice 701/1 (pdf, 363KB)
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5gzdcz.
Prepare for September tax allowance changes
-------------------------------------------------------------
A change in the basic Personal (tax) Allowance outside the usual sequence
is happening shortly, after the arguments over tax rates. The basic
allowance is increasing from £5,435 to £6,035 but the limit for applying
the basic rate is reducing from £36,000 to £34,800. The new tax codes and
rate bands must be used from the first payday on or after 7th September.
Announcement at
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=375100&
NewsAreaID=2.
Basics on contracts of employment
------------------------------------------------
Recently updated by personnel professionals body CiPD is a factsheet giving
introductory guidance on Contracts of Employment.
http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/emplaw/tacofemp/
contracts.htm.
Sound Advice on noise
--------------------------------
Practical guidelines on the control of noise at work in the music and
entertainment industry are contained in a new Sound Advice web site,
http://www.soundadvice.info, supported by the HSE. There may well be some
arts or other charities who can find relevant material here. (The Control
of Noise at Work Regulations came into effect in this area on 6th April
2008, for other industries from April 2006.)
CONSULT
=========
Debating the use of Dormant Accounts fund in Scotland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Scottish Government has opened a formal consultation to debate the
potential uses of the third sector fund which will be created once the
Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts legislation comes in. Four
consultation sessions have been held across Scotland during June and July,
but there is also an online questionnaire at
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ndz1dT0nWFLMxxgdIR44vA_3d_3d, or
start at SCVO's page at http://preview.tinyurl.com/6o7mbk.
Electing members of National Parks
------------------------------------------------
The government is seeking views on the possibility of public elections for
some members of the eight National Park Authorities in England and the
Broads Authority. Consultation ends 28th November,
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/np-directelections/
index.htm
Improving the law for coops and credit unions
------------------------------------------------------------
The Treasury has published proposals for a Legislative Reform Order which
would allow Credit Unions to widen services and offer more flexibility to
Industrial & Provident Societies. This is in response to last year's review
of cooperative and credit union legislation. Credit Unions body ABCUL has
welcomed the changes - http://www.abcul.coop/page/news.cfm#535 (note very
large web page). Treasury document (pdf, 667KB)
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/0/D/consult_lro230708.pdf - respond by
15th October.
Community transport permits
----------------------------------------
Consultation on two sets of draft Regulations to implement the provisions
in the Local Transport Bill on community transport permits, allowing
greater flexibility over vehicle size and the payment of drivers of
community buses. Closing date 17th October,
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/
communitytransportpermits/.
Science and Society
----------------------------
A consultation web site supports the development of a new Science and
Society Strategy for the UK, looking at the engagement of science with
society in its broadest sense, including the use of science by society,
science education and the diversity of the science workforce. Ends 17th
October, http://interactive.dius.gov.uk/scienceandsociety/site/.
NEWS
======
More News items are added during the week at
http://www.VoluntaryNews.org.uk/wp/.
Impact of management skills gaps
----------------------------------------------
A study of sector skills, based on the views of third sector employers from
four English cities plus findings from Voluntary Sector Skills Survey 2007,
identifies that a skills gap at management level has the greatest impact.
More on Third Sector Skills Research 2008, published by the UK Workforce
Hub and NCVO, at http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=9952.
Faith groups and sector support
-------------------------------------------
'Believing in Local Action', a report commissioned by the Department for
Communities and Local Government, shows through seven case studies what can
be achieved through faith organisations and local infrastructure
organisations (such as councils for voluntary service) working together. It
also gives seven actions to help develop more successful partnership
working. Published by Church Urban Fund with LIO umbrella body NAVCA, see
news item at http://www.navca.org.uk/news/believing.htm or download full
report or summary from http://www.navca.org.uk/publications/believing/.
Impact of the Good Governance Code
----------------------------------------------------
A research report into the awareness, impact and success of the Code of
Good Governance has been produced for the Governance Hub by nfpSynergy. A
high proportion of those responding reckoned that the Code is easy to
understand, applicable to their organisation and useful. However, issues
identified include: the language and style of the Code need to be more
accessible; the Code needs refining for a variety of audiences (while
retaining its universal principles); and smaller organisations need
tailored and specific help and support. See the press release at
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=9892 or download 'Review and
development of the Code of Good Governance' (pdf, 658KB) from
http://preview.tinyurl.com/5bx63y.
Children's Arts Manifesto
---------------------------------
Action for Children's Arts, the umbrella body for arts organisations
working for and with children, has launched the first 'Manifesto for
Children's Arts'. See http://www.childrensarts.org.uk or download the
manifesto (pdf, 76KB) from
http://www.childrensarts.org.uk/images/M_pdfs/manifesto.pdf. (Source:
Voluntary Arts Network)
Smaller businesses encouraged to get volunteering
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A campaign to encourage small and medium sized businesses to get involved
in employer supported volunteering (ESV) schemes has been launched by
Volunteering England with support from a range of business groups. News
item at http://preview.tinyurl.com/64ortw, or see
http://www.volunteering.org.uk/smes.
Influencing the legislative process
---------------------------------------------
Hansard Society, the parliamentary democracy organisation, has published a
report analysing the influences and elements that come together in making
an act of Parliament, including the role of the media, voluntary
organisations, professional associations and other outside factors. 'Law in
the Making: Influence and Change in the Legislative Process' found that
input from such groups and individuals can have an impact on the
legislation but it varies. Plaza Publishing news alert at
http://www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2103, Hansard Society
http://hansardsociety.org.uk (site not working at time of newsletter
production).
Ideas wanted to stimulate public discussion
----------------------------------------------------------
Grants of up to £15,000 are available for up to 10 of the best proposals
for using online tools, face-to-face events or a combination of approaches
to help people participate in public discussions and influence government
policy. Closing date 26th September - see
http://www.buildingdemocracy.co.uk (news release at
http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease300708a.htm).
Grassroots Grants local distributors selected
-----------------------------------------------------------
Organisations to distribute the government's £130 million Grassroots Grants
programme across England have now been selected. There are two streams,
small grants (up to £5,000) to small third sector organisations and money
to help local funders build endowment funds to provide a continuous source
of small grant funding. Background new item at Office of Third Sector
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news
_stories/08072_grg.aspx,
or go to Community Development Foundation for the list of local funders,
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2l7b2f.
Red Nose grants deadline
-----------------------------------
The next deadline to apply for Red Nose Day Programmes grants over £5,000
is 15th August. During 2005-08, the six programme areas are Young people,
Older People, Mental Health, Refugees & Asylum Seekers, Domestic Violence,
Disadvantaged Communities. http://www.comicrelief.com/apply-for-a-grant/uk/
(Source: SLCVO Community Toolkit)
Health Department's Third Sector Investment Programme
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
New government funding arrangements for third sector organisations in
health and social care have been announced, with the Third Sector
Investment Programme replacing the 'Section 64 General Scheme of Grants'.
The two new funding schemes for 2009/10 are now open for applications, a
Strategic Partner programme and an innovation, excellence and service
development fund. Press release at
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=374300&NewsAreaID=2,
or see http://preview.tinyurl.com/2l7b2f.
E-RESOURCE
============
PDF note: to be able to read pdf files, download Adobe Reader from
http://www.adobe.co.uk/products/acrobat/readstep2.html, for accessibility
matters see http://access.adobe.com. Or for an alternative, try Foxit
Reader at http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php.
Representative and participative local democracy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
'Votes and Voices; the complementary nature of representative and
participative democracy' brings together nine essays from prominent people
in local government, the voluntary sector and academia. Jointly published
by third sector umbrella NCVO and the Local Government Association, it
recognises the need for both representative and participative forms of
democracy locally and that local government and voluntary sector
organisations need to be at the forefront of discussions in how this can
improve. NCVO news release at
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=9900, or download (pdf,
344KB, Acrobat v8) at http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/aio/840089.
Joining up information for smaller organisations
--------------------------------------------------------------
Sector umbrella NCVO has launched a web page specifically for smaller
organisations, bringing together their information on areas such as funding
and finance, employment, health and safety, ICT and governance.
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/smallorganisations.
Charities on YouTube
------------------------------
Voluntary organisations in the UK, as well as the US, have access to video
sharing site YouTube's Non-profit programme, with increased uploading
capacity and access to Promoted Videos areas. More details at
http://uk.youtube.com/nonprofits. (From Charity Web Forum list)
New and updated on VolResource
----------------------------------------------
-- Leisure, culture, education contacts: British Arts Festivals
Association, http://www.artsfestivals.co.uk. Action for Children's Arts,
http://www.childrensarts.org.uk.
DIARY DATES
============
See Events Listings at http://www.voluntarynews.org.uk/wp/events/
-----------advert--------------
First NCVO/GMCVO Autumn Conference
-------------------------------------------------------
7th November, Manchester
Join us for the first NCVO/GMCVO national autumn conference in Manchester
to explore the key theme of independence. High profile keynote speakers,
lively and interactive workshops and fantastic networking opportunities
make this an event not to be missed.
For more details visit http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/autumnconference2008 or
call 020 7520 3160.
----------ad ends-------------
-- 2nd to 5th September, Edinburgh. International Social Enterprise World
Forum, http://www.ceis.org.uk/events/sewf.
SELECTED VACANCIES
====================
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http://www.volresource.org.uk/jobs/1.htm, and submit your vacancies online
too. We can include job details below for a small charge.
** Newly listed: Immigration Law Practitioners' Association, Office Manager
with Finance.
--------------------------------------
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