E-Bulletin - February 2009

February E-Bulletin main contents page


Useful new guides and information

Made simple guides for Finance Directors

A range of ‘made simple' guides are available from Sayer Vincent accountants in association with Charity Finance Directors Group. Although aimed at Finance Directors, they are useful for anyone interested in the topics. Subjects covered include:

For more information: http://tinyurl.com/6uw9el

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Consultation on time off for public service

The government are doing a consultation exercise through Communities in Control. They are looking at extending the right to time off to people serving in a wider range of civic roles with a view to implementation by secondary legislation in April 2009 and consideration of non-regulatory ways to encourage people to take on roles in third sector organisations.

For more information, and to respond to the consultation got to
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/timeoffconsultation

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Planning for sustainability

Charity Bank in the North are running free events on financial sustainability for third sector organisations.

Workshops at a variety of locations in Yorkshire in February and March, plus behind the scenes access to a leading local social enterprise, The Big Life Group, on 2 April.

For more information: www.charitybank.org/workshops

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Innovation, public services and the voluntary sector

The Public Service Delivery Network are holding a conference in London on March 3rd, entitled Transforming together: Innovation, Public Services and the Voluntary Sector.

The voluntary sector’s involvement in public service delivery is growing. This conference will allow public and voluntary sector organisations to jointly explore, share and learn from successes and challenges of delivering innovative services.

For more information, including how to book:
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/events/latest/?id=11014

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Recipes for community representation - what ingredients do you need?

Urban Forum is collaborating with NAVCA (National Association for Voluntary and Community Action)  to run a series of events to help voluntary and community groups to increase the effectiveness of community representation in their area.
The next event is in Leeds on 24 March in Leeds.

Details can be found at: www.navca.org.uk/events/commrep.htm

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Working in a consortium - A guide for third sector organisations involved in public service delivery

The Office of the Third Sector has produced a guide to consortia for third sector organisations involved in public service delivery. This guide includes a range of options and different approaches to working collaboratively, background information and further support.

For more information: http://digbig.com/4xyyg or www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/thirdsector

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NHS standard contracts update

Department of Health standard contracts are being introduced for both generalist community services and specialist mental health services. From April 2009, or when the current contract expires following this date, all providers that are contracted to deliver these services will be required to use the new standard contracts. www.navca.org.uk/localvs/lcp/news/nhsstandardcontracts.htm

Regional workshops are being held in January and February to discuss and provide support around the implementation of the new NHS standard contracts for community and mental health services.

Thursday 5 February at Bolton F.C
Wednesday 18 February at Birmingham F.C

For more information and online booking: www.pcc.nhs.uk/eventmanager/uploads/1094/flyer_1094.doc

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Financial support for small businesses open to charities

A £20bn financial support package for small businesses launched on Wednesday 14 January by the Government can be accessed by third sector organisations, business secretary Peter Mandelson has promised.

For more information about the support package can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/realhelp

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Commissioning possible

GMCVO (Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation) has produced a report based on 20 in-depth interviews with third sector organisations in Greater Manchester about their experience with public sector commissioning.

For more information: www.gmcvo.org.uk/?q=node/1098

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Employment law summary

CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) has updated its factsheet on current employment law developments to summarise the main changes in 2008 and those expected in 2009.

For more information:
www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/emplaw/general/legaldevs.htm

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Occupational Standards for Development Workers and Community Development Workers

The Federation for Community Development Learning is working in partnership with LLUK (the Lifelong Learning Sector Skills Council) to undertake a review that will result in new occupational standards defining what is good quality community development work practice for the next five years or so.

To download the draft standards and a comment form go to: www.fcdl.org.uk/NOS_Consultation  

The Workforce Hub is developing a new set of National Occupational Standards for Development Workers in infrastructure organisations, who support other voluntary and community groups and organisations to develop their capacity and become more effective.

The draft standards and questionnaire (to be completed by 16 Februrary) are available via: www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/dwnosconsultation

A consultation event will be held in London on 12 February.

For more information: Email esther.gillespie@ukworkforcehub.org.uk

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Statutory Annual Leave entitlement change

Statutory annual leave increases from 1 April, from 4.8 to 5.6 weeks (that's 24 to 28 days). This can include the eight bank holidays.

For more information: www.sandy-a.co.uk/employment.htm#annualleave  or Business Link http://tinyurl.com/9v7p7y  guidance, with templates for notifying workers of the change and how to calculate entitlement for part-time and other atypical workers.

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The above news was resourced from:
VolResource newsletter www.voluntarynews.org.uk
Third Sector www.thirdsector.co.uk/ and
NAVCA LINX www.navca.org.uk/publications/linx/

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