E-Bulletin - November 2008

November E-Bulletin main contents page


National News

Guidance

Checklist for computer workstations
The Health and Safety Executive has produced a VDU checklist for safety reps, which should be of use to anyone doing checks on computer screens and the rest of the 'human interface'. An eight page pdf can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/msd/campaigns/vduchecklist.pdf

Clear advice on volunteering while on benefits
Jobcentre Plus has published renewed guidance on volunteering whilst on benefits, following a government commitment to the Commission on the Future of Volunteering earlier this year. Office of Third Sector news item, or download 'Volunteering while receiving benefits':
 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/stellent/groups/jcp/documents
/websitecontent/dev_015837.pdf

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Consultations

How green is your workplace
A new survey for Every Action Counts is a follow up to one carried out in early 2007, to see how voluntary and community organisations are shaping up in addressing the green agenda. All those replying will be in with a chance in a prize draw. Respond by 28 November, www.groundwork-surveys.org.uk/eacgreenquestionnaire.

Review of Compact's Black and Minority Ethnic Code
Consultation by the Commission for the Compact on how equalities and race relations issues are woven into future Compact documentation is now underway, following the publication of an extensive legal analysis of the Compact's Black and Minority Ethnic Code and related legislation. A number of workshops around England in November will discuss the issues. See Compact website www.thecompact.org.uk

Standards for sector development workers
A set of national occupational standards for development workers who support voluntary and community groups and organisations is being created. The SKiLD learning project at NAVCA has already developed a competency framework. UK-wide consultation events start in December, with the online version live from 2nd December. See Workforce Hub, www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk/DisplayPage.asp?pageid=12836

Official sector role in reducing reoffending
The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has published 'Working with the third sector to reduce reoffending' based on the feedback from a public consultation held with voluntary organisations earlier this year. It sets out principles for NOMS' work with the third sector to reduce reoffending and protect the public and can be downloaded (pdf, 690KB) from www.justice.gov.uk/docs/third-sector-effective-partnerships.pdf. This supports the Ministry of Justice third sector strategy published in June, in pdf (365KB) at www.justice.gov.uk/docs/third-sector-strategy.pdf, and will also connect with Baroness Neuberger's review of volunteering across the criminal justice system. www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/volunteering/Volunteering
_champion.aspx

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Money

Bank deposit compensation
The coverage of 'retail depositors' includes incorporated charities (or other voluntary organisations) which have two or more of the following: £6.5 million or less turnover; £3.26 million or less balance sheet total; or 50 or less employees. It also includes unincorporated associations with assets of £1.4 million or less. This scheme currently guarantees £50,000 per licensed banking institution. See Charity Commission's guidance at
www.charity-commission.gov.uk/news/fincomp.asp and also the specific notes on Icelandic banks at
www.charity-commission.gov.uk/news/ice.asp. Scottish regulator OSCR's statement at www.oscr.org.uk/NewsItem.aspx?ID=7fd3d110-7895-4c5c-a647-c25dfbf40395

Progress on funds from dormant bank accounts
The Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill is now making its way through the House of Commons (second reading 6 October, and in committee this week, 14 to 16 October). The legislation would provide the legal and administrative framework for distributing assets from dormant cash accounts. See NCVO's comments on issues still to be addressed at: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=2896#dormant_bank_2nd_reading
 

(The above news was resourced from VolResource newsletter www.voluntarynews.org.uk)

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