10th May 2011

VCS Assembly News Update 10 May (Issue 63)

In this issue:
1. News
2. Dates for Your Diary
3. Funding News
4. Consultations
5. Compact
6. Career Opportunities
7. Important Reminders

1. News

A Message from CAS
Citizens Advice Shropshire is currently looking for a local web developer with experience in the voluntary sector to build a new website. If your organisation has previously used a local web developer that you were very happy with, would you mind sharing their contact details via email: admin@shropshirecab.cabnet.org.uk

A Message from Bridges
This Spring, Bridges has worked with over 300 children and adults asking them to campaign with us to make Mums Matter. In addition, over 500 people have downloaded our resource from our website! If you have been working on Mothers Matter with your school or community, we would love to hear about what you have been doing. Please let us know by sending an email to Ali on alison@shropshirebridges.org.uk or giving us a call on 01952 255526. If you have photos even better.... we would love to put them on our website! If you would like to know more about our Mothers Matter campaign please visit our website on www.shropshirebridges.org.uk
Many thanks and look forward to hearing from you
Best wishes from the Bridges Team

Resilience in organisations and individuals
Personnel professionals body CIPD have produced 'Developing resilience: an evidence-based guide for practitioners', based on a thorough review of the available evidence about how to develop resilience at individual and organisational level. Not specific to any particular sector, but this may be of interest:
http://www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/guides/developing-resilience-evidence-guide.aspx

Ban on health and disability questions in recruitment
The Government Equalities Office recently published 'What do I need to know? A quick start guide to the ban on questions about health and disability during recruitment', which can be downloaded from: http://www.equalities.gov.uk/pdf/110406%20Pre%20Employment%20Questions.pdf

Would Charitable Incorporate Organisation status be right for you?
Sandy Adirondack's Legal Update gives some thoughts about what we already know, or can guess with confidence, about the Charitable Incorporate Organisation legal model (CIO), to help weigh up whether this an option worth considering when it eventually comes in (for England and Wales - Scotland's version is already available). http://www.sandy-a.co.uk/managing.htm#cio-yes-or-no

Helping social enterprises branch out
The Social Enterprise Coalition has published a how-to guide on social franchising, aimed at social enterprises which want to replicate their business model. It outlines ten steps to the process and offers practical tools to help. 'The Social Franchising Manual' can be downloaded from http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/pages/social-franchising.html

Minimum wage increases announced
The adult national minimum wage is to increase by 15p an hour, to £6.08, from 1st October 2011. For 18 to 20 year olds the change is 6p, to £4.98, 16 to 17 year olds add 4p to get £3.68, apprentices up 10p to £2.60.

Gift Aid repayments to go direct to bank account
HM Revenue and Customs is to phase out repayments of Gift Aid by payable order by 2012, and will make all payments electronically using the BACS system. This fits in with the announcement in Budget 2011 of an online filing facility to be introduced in 2012-13.
See http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/ga-repayments.htm

2. Dates for Your Diary

Shropshire Mind's May Walk
Information about Shropshire Mind's May Walk due to take place on the 14 May is attached. This is a fantastic opportunity to spend time outdoors and enjoy the Shropshire countryside. For more information visit http://www.shropshiremind.org/ or call 01743 368647.
OTWA52011 (2954.86KB) OTW2011sponsorshipform (76.38KB) Microsoft Word - OTW2011Reg Form V2 (43.42KB)

Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership - May Training
There were recently a few spaces available on training courses being run by Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership. The courses are listed below. If you are interested in these it is worth checking whether there are still vacant places:
Managing staff during organisational change -13 May
User representatives on board? -19 May
Volunteer management 23 - May
Making the case for funding - 27 May
If you are interested in attending any of the courses, please contact Lorraine Smart at the Community Council - lorraine.smart@shropshire-rcc.org.uk
managing staff during organisational change flyer 2011 (244.71KB)Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership Training (19.53KB)

Eco-Innovation Information Day
Wednesday 18th May 2011
Birmingham City Centre
Eco-Innovation is an EU funding programme which helps bring environmentally friendly technologies, products and processes to market. The main focus of the programme is to reduce environmental impact, increase recycling and promote resource efficiency through supporting post-research activities in the four main areas: materials recycling, food and drink sector, sustainable construction materials and greening business. The programme is open to all legal organisations and small and medium enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply for funding.
http://eco-innovationinfoday180511.eventbrite.com/
Eco-Innovation Info Day_180511 (74.9KB)

Regional Launch Event to Introduce Safe Network Standards
A regional launch event is being organised in Shrewsbury to introduce safe network standards for safeguarding children in the Voluntary Community Sector. The event will be held at Greenhous Meadow, Oteley Rd, Shrewsbury on Wednesday 25 May from 10.00-1.00 followed by buffet lunch. A poster detailing the event is attached. For more details contact Dee Ploszay at Shropshire Youth Association. Telephone: 01743 254687 or Email: dee.ploszay@shropshire.gov.uk
Regional Launch Event to Introduce Safe Network Standards (46.58KB)

Make a Noise in Libraries
Oswestry Library is holding an event to promote library services/resources of interest to people with a visual impairment.  Other services such as local RNIB contact, Shropshire Council Sensory Impairment Team, Oswestry Talking Newspaper, Vision Technology and the Sight Loss Group (SLOG) will be in attendance.  The event is aimed at local people with a visual impairment and their families, friends and carers.
Date: 13th June 2011
Venue: Oswestry Library
Time: 4-7pm
Make a Noise in Libraries is part of a campaign by the RNIB http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/readingwriting/rnibnationallibrary/manil/Pages/make_a_noise_in_libraries.aspx

Working with Gypsy and Traveller families - 28 June, Nottingham
Working with Gypsy and Traveller families is a cultural awareness day for professionals who need to reach into those communities in order to provide services. The Training will be provided by Leeds Gypsy Traveller Exchange (Leeds GATE). With an estimated average life expectancy of 50, poor literacy rates and poor housing, Gypsy and Traveller families are not accessing services which they need.  The communities remain 'hard to reach' unless barriers to access and communication can be broken down. This cultural awareness day focuses on English Gypsies and Irish Travellers, and is an opportunity to:

• learn about the myths and truths of travelling culture
• understand how Gypsies and Travellers view marriage and family, gender roles, and their children
• look at service providers' concerns and fears about working with Gypsies and Travellers, and at better ways of approaching these communities and making services more accessible
• raise your own practice issues

An information pack and certificate of attendance will be provided. Full details of the training day, more about Leeds GATE, and booking facilities can be found at http://www.ccclimited.org.uk/
Alternatively telephone Central Conference Consultants on 0115 916 3104. Discounts are available for small charities and team bookings of three or more.

3. Funding News

External Funding News
Gary Spence, External Funding Officer at Shropshire Council has recently published an update. External Funding Update 71 is attached and covers the following:

-The Shropshire Business Enterprise Fund (latest developments) 
-Announcement of new BIG Lottery Fund around climate change
-Energy Share Fund (for community-based projects dealing with renewable energy)
-Clore Poetry and Literature Awards (for initiatives targeting young people)
-Chamber Awards (a business awards scheme open to members of accredited chambers of commerce)
-Happy Museum Project (a scheme open to museums for projects that consider well-being / happiness)
-Warm Front (relaunch of a scheme that provides grants for home energy efficiency improvements - means tested)
-Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund (for community organisations dealing with health and social care volunteers) The application deadline is midday Wednesday the 25th May 2011. For more information please visit the website: http://www.volunteeringfund.com/node/18
- Energy Efficiency Financing (details of the Carbon Trust's financing for businesses and organisations in the UK looking to make energy efficiency improvements)
EFU71 Apr May 11 (53.82KB)

News from BIG Lottery's General Grant Programme
Gary Spence has also kindly provided an item on key messages coming from BIG Lottery Fund's general grant programme, Reaching Communities. Please see attached.
RC key messages pdf final (157.73KB)

ERDF Programme
WMEN would like to remind you that there is an Open and Limited Calls for the ERDF Programme in relation to Priorities 1 and 2. AWM is holding a second surgery on Thursday 19 May 2011 to discuss bids (see the note below for more information). If you have a project idea in mind that has a potential to be developed further, we would encourage you to submit a short summary of your proposal to AWM and attend a surgery (see p.5-6 of the attachment for more information). Please do not hesitate to contact WMEN if you require any help or assistance.
Open and Limited Calls for the ERDF Programme
On the 22 of March an Open Bidding call was launched for Outline Proposals in relation to Priority 1 - Promoting Innovation and Research & Development, and Priority 2 - Stimulating Enterprise Development, under the West Midlands European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme 2007 to 2013.
Please contact Stuart Brandrick, Priority Manager on the ERDF team on 0121 380 3648 or e-mail erdf@advantagewm.co.uk
The closing date for submissions under this call is 12 noon on Friday 24 June 2011.
Please view the call at:
http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/current-activities/erdf-programme/how-do-i-apply/bidding-rounds.aspx
Open Call Priority 1 & 2 June 2011 Bidding Specification (285.48KB)

Funding news provided by Gary Spence, External Funding Officer and the West Midlands European Network.

4. Consultations

Tackling European procurement rules review
The body for local sector support NAVCA is campaigning for the current review of European procurement rules to exclude "some public services are best suited to being delivered by organisations that are rooted and based within the communities served" from the EU commissioning framework. NAVCA also wants it to be easier for statutory bodies to include social value clauses within procurement processes. See NAVCA news item at: http://www.navca.org.uk/news/EUprocurement.htm
The initial phase of the EU consultation closed 18th April, but NAVCA suggests that there may be other chances to debate the issues.

Parliamentary committee takes another look at abolition of cheques
The Treasury Select Committee of the House of Commons is reopening its inquiry on the future of cheques, given continuing public concern about proposals to phase them out by 2018. In its previous inquiry in February 2010 the committee was unconvinced by the Payment Council's argument that cheques were in "terminal decline" and expressed concern about the rigour of the cost-benefit analysis undertaken by the Council.

Best Value Consultation
This is referred to in more detail below but DCLG has issued a short consultation on Best Value Guidance. See: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/bestvalueconsult

5. Compact

Compact and the Best Value Consultation
DCLG has launched a consultation relating to new guidance "setting out clear expectations when councils consider cutting funding to local voluntary and community organisations". This draft guidance builds on a recent speech given by Eric Pickles, in which he outlined three reasonable expectations when changing funding. These  include: 

• giving three months notice when changing or ending funding relationships;
• assessing the impact of changing funding to voluntary and community sector organisations; and 
• consulting with affected organisations and communities.

These replicate undertakings established in the Compact which also outlines other key mechanisms to help manage changes to funding and other support. Local Compacts will establish how these principles are implemented locally, and the draft guidance also recognises their vital role. It states:
"Authorities should be sensitive to the benefits and needs of voluntary and community sector organisations (honouring the commitments set out in local Compacts) and small businesses."
Compact Voice welcomes the recognition of the role of local Compacts, particularly as it has encouraged CLG to show support for local Compacts. The consultation ends 14 June 2011, and states that "Government expects to publish new Best Value guidance as early as possible before the summer".
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/bestvalueconsult

Compact Voice has concerns over Government thinking on Equality
Compact Voice has responded to the Government Equalities Office consultation 'Equality Act 2010: The public sector Equality Duty: reducing bureaucracy'. The response outlines concerns about the proposed changes to the requirement for public bodies to publish how they have engaged with communities and assessed the impact of policy decisions. They have asserted that any proposed changes to the public sector equality duty must not diminish the principles contained in local Compacts, nor any of those practices which ensure greater understanding, recognise the importance of meaningful engagement, and properly assess the impact that proposed policies will have on communities. For further information about the public sector equality duty, visit:
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010/public_sector_equality_duty.aspx

If you would like to become a Compact Champion please email me, Sarah Dodds, sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk or telephone 01743 252740.

Have you got a Compact story? Email sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk and share it with others.

6. Career Opportunities

Impact Alcohol and Addiction Services
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SHREWSBURY, c£35K DOE
This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional Chief Executive to join this highly respected charity based in Shrewsbury town centre. The successful candidate will be a proactive leader who will take ownership and responsibility for the strategic direction, development and future planning of the overall delivery of effective alcohol and addictions counselling and related services. Operating initially across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and surrounding areas as an integral part of third sector and public sector provision.
Advert (31KB)

These are exciting times for this organisation and you will work closely with a highly committed and passionate team to be the driving force as it moves forward so experience of managing organisational change would be advantageous. Reporting to the Board you will be responsible for a range of functions including Strategy, HR and Finance. It is therefore essential that you have:

• good business acumen with the ability to generate income and to sustain and grow the organisation together with sound financial awareness
• some understanding and knowledge of working with a voluntary Board and to charitable objects and charity law.
• strong communication skills
• experience of managing delivery of quality services
• a proven record of operating at a senior level
• and be highly competent in managing a diverse team

If you feel you have the proven managerial talent to lead this charity into the future please contact Rachael Stone at Red Recruitment Solutions Ltd on 01743 352222 or by rachael@redrecruitmentsolutions.co.uk Closing date: Monday 16 May 2011

More career opportunities are advertised on the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership website. Visit: www.ShropshireVCS.org.uk

7. Important Reminders

News Items
Big Society Awards
Set up by the Prime Minister in November 2010 the Big Society Awards focus upon three specific areas: 

• Promoting social action
• Empowering communities
• Opening up public services

Nominations come in from the general public and the Prime Minister makes the final decisions about who to make the award to. Twelve winners are decided each quarter and then announced once a week throughout the year. The Award itself has several aspects to it. The winners each receive:

• a plaque;
• a signed certificate from the Prime Minister;
• copies of the electronic awards logos to use on their websites and publicity materials
• an invitation to a twice yearly reception at No.10 Downing Street;
• a press release that appears on the No.10 website and that the No.10 staff then circulate to the local and regional press in the winner's home area.

A flyer is attached and further details are available from:
http://www.number10.gov.uk/bigsocietyawards

Guidance issued on Charitable Incorporated Organisation model
Both the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and the Charity Commission have published guidance on the charitable incorporated organisation legal form. The Scottish version (SCIO) can be applied for from 1st April, while the legislation for CIOs in England and Wales has yet to be brought into operation. See Charity Commission news item at: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/RSS/News/pr_cio.aspx.This includes two model constitutions for CIOs, the foundation model where the only voting members will be the charity trustees, and the association model for charities that will have a wider membership.

New Gift Aid Forms
HM Revenue and Customs has issued new Gift Aid forms, including the repayment claim form R68, which can be downloaded from their website:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/gift-aid-toolkit.htm.

Funding
No reminders this time.

Events
Wyldwoods Event - Saturday 25 June 5pm - 11pm
A poster is attached inviting you to a barbecue organised by Wyldwoods. For more information see http://www.wyldwoods.co.uk.

Consultations
Consultation on the advancement of amateur sport as a charitable aim
Deadline 31st May. See:
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Charity_requirements_guidance/Charity_essentials/Public_benefit/pbaas.aspx

Compact
Compact Representatives Needed - Reminder
Are you interested in the Shropshire Compact? Would you be willing to act as a VCS Assembly representative on the Compact Implementation Group? The Compact Implementation Group is seeking two new VCS representatives to join the group and help take Compact implementation forward in 2011. The group meets approximately 5-6 times a year, with meetings lasting up to 2 hours at a venue in Shrewsbury. Travel expenses can be paid for volunteers. If you are willing to get involved please contact me Sarah Dodds (01743 252740 or email sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk).

Don't forget to send me any information you wish to share.
With best wishes
Sarah

Sarah Dodds, VCS Assembly Coordinator
Telephone 01743 252740
Email: sarah.dodds@shropshire.gov.uk  
www.2shrop.net/shropvcsassembly