20th May 2011
VCS Assembly News Update 20th May (Issue 64)
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
New Elected Member Lead for Shropshire's VCS
Shropshire Council has strengthened its commitment to working with local voluntary and community groups by agreeing a new role for one of its Cabinet members. Councillor Gwilym Butler will take a lead on working with the voluntary and community sector, community engagement and community leadership and governance. A press statement is attached.
Council to work more closely with voluntary sector (42.18KB)
May Edition, Shropshire Disability Network's Newsletter - Now Available
Shropshire Disability Network newsletter for May is now available at:
http://shropshire-disability.net
Private Sector Delivery and Public Services
The BBC has reported that the government is scaling back plans to use the private sector to deliver public services. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13273932
Recommendations on reducing regulation for the sector (from VolResource)
The Big Society Deregulation Taskforce, set up by the government, has presented its report. As reported by Third Sector (http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/article/1070498/), volunteer liability was seen as the big issue, and it recommends that the Charity Tribunal and the Law Commission should examine what could be done to reassure volunteers who are worried about being sued. Other recommendations include simplifying fundraising licensing and encouraging volunteering among the
unemployed. On insurance, the Task Force has claimed a victory on the issue of volunteer drivers, with the Association of British Insurers promising to revise its definition of 'social driving', addressing concerns around the cost of volunteer driving insurance. Government minister Nick Hurd has also announced a working group to engage the insurance industry and develop consistency in the way insurers treat charitable activities. Both the official press release and the
report 'Unshackling Good Neighbours' can be downloaded from:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/unshackling-good-neighbours.
Report from Commission on the Big Society
Charity chief executives body ACEVO has published the report from its Commission on the Big Society. It states that the government needs to provide more leadership and protect charities and voluntary organisations from funding cuts to allow them to flourish.
http://www.acevo.org.uk/document.doc?id=1515.
Training needs analysis tool
NCVO's People, HR and Employment section has developed a guide to carrying out Training Needs Analysis. A TNA would review the learning and development needs for staff, volunteers and trustees within your organisation. The guide suggests that the TNA should be carried out at organisational, departmental and individual level. See: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/tna.
Updated guide to insurance for charities
The Charity Commission has produced a revised version of its guide on insurance. It provides an overview of the different types of insurance available, clarifies legal obligations and the options trustees have when identifying and managing risks. See 'Charities and Insurance' at: http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Publications/cc49.aspx.
Code of practice on sharing of personal data
The Information Commissioner's Office has published its new 'Data sharing code of practice'. It is designed to provide a framework for organisations to make good quality decisions about the sharing of personal data. See:
http://www.ico.gov.uk/~/media/documents/library/Data_Protection/Detailed_specialist_guides/data_sharing_code_of_practice.pdf
The Big Society Bank gets government go-ahead
Outline proposals for the development of a Big Society Bank have been agreed by the government. It will also need State Aid approval from the European Commission and Financial Services Authority authorisation before it can act as a wholesale investor for social investment. An interim Investment Committee to make use of dormant bank account money is to be set up by the Big Lottery Fund, so that investments can begin this summer. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/news/big-society-bank-gets-green-light
NCVO Produces Civil Society Almanac 2010
The NCVO Almanac is aimed at policy makers and practitioners with an interest in voluntary organisations and civil society. It reports key trends and characteristics on a range of topics, including funding and finance, spending, workforce and employment, volunteering and beneficiaries. The Almanac focuses on how voluntary organisations at the heart of civil society have changed over the last decade, often comparing trends with the public and private sectors. See:
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/products-services/publications/uk-civil-society-almanac-2010
2. Dates for Your Diary
Demonstrating impact - what it's all about
Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership has organised a one day training course on demonstrating impact delivered by Rosemary Collie. The training will take place 10am - 4pm, Thursday 9 June and there will be another opportunity later in the year. Please see the attachments for more information.
Social Impact Training June and Oct 2011 (162.24KB)
SIP_Booking_Form[1] (152.57KB)
Free Training Day - Universities Week
As part of Universities Week, the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Communications Office at the University of Warwick are offering a free training day for people working in the community and voluntary sector. There will be a session focussing on working with the local media and one looking at traditional and new marketing methods. There are limited places available, so register early to guarantee your place. For information about the day and sessions and to register
visit http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/community_day/
The attached flier includes details.
Universities Week Free Training (84.78KB)
Communicating Your Impact Conference
29 June 2011, London
With so many charities vying for advocates, grants, donations, volunteers and publicity, how can you show your organisation is making a difference? That it's unique? That you spend your income wisely? That you engage with your community? A conference will be held in London on 29th June. More information is available from:
http://www.CharityComms.org.uk/Communicating-Impact
Trustees' Week 2011
Following on from the success of the first Trustees' Week last year, providing a focus to raise awareness of charity trusteeship, this year's event will run from 31st October to 6th November. See Charity Commission news item at:
http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/RSS/News/pr_trustees_2011.aspx.
3. Funding News
NIACE (SFA) - £2.25 million Adult & Community Learning Fund - Opened May 6
The fund is open for applications until 12 noon, Friday 10 June 2011. Organisations from across England can bid for their share of £2.25 million fund for new and imaginative adult and community learning opportunities that engage and motivate, in particular, disadvantaged adults. The maximum amount for any bid is £75,000 and the minimum is £10,000. Your application must be submitted by noon on Friday June 10 or
earlier if possible. Please read the Prospectus before submitting your application. See: http://www.niace.org.uk/current-work/adult-and-community-learning-fund-aclf
Please note that this fund is open to organisations in England only. Projects should be designed to support informal adult and community learning for people aged 19 and over. The application process is online and only online submissions will be accepted. Applications submitted in hard copy or by email will not be accepted. For more information contact the West Midlands European Network 0121 683 8890 and website: www.wmeuronet.co.uk/
Help with finding a (digital) voice
The Community Voices project, run by Media Trust and funded this year by Nominet Trust, aims to support communities across the UK who feel voiceless due to disability, older age, or long term illness, but have an idea how to address the challenges they face through digital media. Seven successful applicants get seed funding of £500 alongside a package of support, including training plus mentoring by media professionals. Closing date 13 June. See: http://www.mediatrust.org/community-voices
Funding news provided by Gary Spence, External Funding Officer and the West Midlands European Network.
4. Consultations
Call for charities to respond to EU consultation on VAT
Charity Tax Group warns that business respondents want a system that could cost the sector millions in lost 'community exemptions'. See Third Sector news item at:
http://thirdsector.co.uk/news/1071029/Call-charities-respond-EU-consultation-VAT/
5. Compact
Ensuring meaningful engagement when consulting
Commitment 2.4 of The Compact states 'Where it is appropriate, and enables meaningful engagement, conduct 12-week formal written consultations, with clear explanations and rationale for shorter time-frames or a more informal approach.' There has frequently been discussion around how to ensure there is 'meaningful engagement' when consulting. Compact Voice has published a draft piece of guidance on this topic and has called for
feedback and thoughts on this topic. Please have a look at the draft and send any feedback to compact@compactvoice.org.uk.
http://www.compactvoice.org.uk/sites/default/files/meaningful_engagement.pdf
Local Government Group's guidance for councillors
The Local Government Group have published a guide for new councillors, which serves as an introduction to local government and covers the main things a new councillor needs to know. The guidance includes information on the Compact and the Voluntary and Community Sector. Shropshire's VCS Assembly is planning a local event for councillors which will cover the work of the VCS Assembly and the Shropshire Compact. The event will be held on the 21 July. To take a
look at the national guidance document see:
http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/26872197
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
Senior Services Manager Health and Social Care, British Red Cross
The British Red Cross is looking for a Senior Services Manager Health and Social Care for Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The post is a permanent position at £32,000 p.a. 35 hrs per week and full details are available on the attached job description and advert. The closing date for applications is 16 June.
Senior Services Manager H & SC HSW (83.25KB)
Senior Services Manager - HSC (150.63KB)
Mentoring and Training Opportunities, Landau Ltd.
Landau Ltd. Are looking for a Job Coach/Trainer for Shropshire (specifically Shrewsbury, Telford & Wrekin) on a self-employed sessional basis. The starting rate is £8.10 per hour + travel/mileage allowance and the hours are flexible - Monday to Friday. Please see the attached advert for further details.
Job Coach Trainer Vacancy May 2011 (148.76KB)
More career opportunities are advertised on the Shropshire Infrastructure Partnership website. Visit: www.ShropshireVCS.org.uk
7. Important Reminders
News Items
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
Big Society Awards
http://www.number10.gov.uk/bigsocietyawards
New Gift Aid Forms
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/gift-aid-toolkit.htm.
Funding
Adult and Community Learning Fund
The Adult and Community Learning Fund deadline is the 10th June. See:
http://www.niace.org.uk/current-work/adult-and-community-learning-fund-aclf
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).
Please view the call at:
http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/current-activities/erdf-programme/how-do-i-apply/bidding-rounds.aspx
Events
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
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
Wyldwoods Event - Saturday 25 June 5pm - 11pm
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
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
TheTheinitial phase of the EU consultation closed 18th April, but NAVCA suggests that there may be other chances to debate the issues.
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