Governance magazine news alert reports that charities minister Ed Miliband has indicated the possible creation of a select committee for the voluntary sector - http://www.charitygovernance.co.uk/news/charitynewsalert/issue10/committee.asp.

The Conservative Party’s Social Justice Policy Group report ‘Breakdown Britain’ has a chapter on the Third Sector’s role in tackling poverty, as well as the family breakdown section which hit the headlines - pdf (736kb) from http://povertydebate.typepad.com. NCVO’s statement - http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/index.asp?id=3712.

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill published this week includes legislation that seeks to “Empower communities - through the expanded community call for action, stronger community governance arrangements and a revised duty on local authorities to involve local people in tailoring local services and policies.”  Communities and Local Government News Release - http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2316.

NB This is a follow up to item posted 7th December.
Both ‘The future role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration - interim report’ and ‘Partnership in Public Services: an Action Plan for Third Sector Involvement’ were published alongside the chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report. Here’s some more detail.

The Interim Report has a lot of background information gathered from “the largest ever consultation with the third sector”. Some interim conclusions and further action to be taken as a second stage are summarised in Chapter 8 - download full report. A new section on the Office of the Third Sector web site (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/third_sector_review/) will be used for an “interactive consultation” due to open this month. Also, the government over the next few months is to work with partner organisations to examine five broad areas in more depth:
– voice and campaigning - enabling individuals and groups’ voices to be heard;
– communities - building active, strong and connected communities;
– public services - creating an environment where third sector organisations can contribute fully to transforming public services;
– social enterprise - supporting social enterprises to start up and thrive; and
– supporting the environment for a healthy third sector.

NCVO statement on PBR and Third Sector Review: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/?id=3703, Volunteering England.

The Action Plan is easier to take in, includes case studies and gives a good feel of the state of play in the five public service areas focused on to date (correctional services; employment services; children’s services, education and training; health and social care services; other local services). Anyone involved in public service delivery, user advocacy or sector support should read the document, downloadable as quite a large pdf from http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/public_service_delivery/. Some points we have noted:
– (paragraph 85) The State of the Sector panel will …. be simplified to provide rapid feedback on the experience of procurement and commissioning from different public sector organisations (to ensure continuous improvement).
– (paragraph 186) From April 2007 the Office of the Third Sector will provide funding to RDAs (Regional Development Agencies) to improve Business Link’s capacity to broker business support for social enterprises.
– (paragraph 194) the Futurebuilders Advisory Panel has been asked to look at opening the Futurebuilders Fund to third sector organisations working to deliver all public services (not just the original 5 areas).

Some reaction to the Plan’s eighteen action points collected by Charity Finance: http://www.charityfinance.co.uk/charitynewsalert/issue10/planreaction.asp, NCVO statement: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/press/releases/index.asp?id=3705.

A ‘Volunteering in Organisations’ survey is a follow up to research in Northern Ireland in 2001, to inform a Volunteering Strategy for Northern Ireland 2007 -2012.

Complete the online survey about how organisations engage with volunteers to be in with a chance of a £800 bursary towards assessment against the Investing in Volunteers award. http://www.communityni.org/index.cfm/section/news/key/volunteering_survey.

A short guide looking at the risks that might affect charity trustees, aimed primarily at trustees of small and medium sized organisations, as well as support staff and advisers, was launched on 15th December by the Governance Hub.

Written by James Sinclair Taylor of the charity team at Russell-Cooke Solicitors, ‘Reducing the Risks: A Guide to Trustee Liabilities‘ download is pdf, 247kb (if the link doesn’t work, try the front page, at http://www.governancehub.org.uk).

Eight charities are to participate in the Scottish charity regulator’s pilot for the Rolling Review, which will see every one of Scotland’s 22,000 charities assessed against the new charity test specified in the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. Included are an independent school, a university, a church and two miners’ welfare societies.

They expect to announce the first results in March. See OSCR’s news item, or Society Guardian story at http://society.guardian.co.uk/voluntary/story/0,,1969363,00.html.

Birmingham

University of Warwick, Conference.

From VSSN/NCVO., annual event bringing together academics and practitioners from across the voluntary sector. See conference details.

University of Birmingham.

From DANGO, conference info

Central Hall, Westminster. National exhibition and workshops for the voluntary sector.

From Directory of Social Change. Charityfair info

London.

This conference is for small and medium sized organisations that deliver services directly to people but need some encouragement and guidance in their use of technology.  Workshops are designed for differing levels of knowledge of ICT and suitable for voluntary organisations at all stages.

From ICT Hub. Conference info

London. Annual Conference, National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Don’t miss the most important annual gathering in the voluntary and community sector calendar. There will be 650 people like you coming together to get inspiration, new ideas and the contacts to move their organisations forward. The conference will focus on how we can provide leadership for our organisations and how we can bring the, often marginalised, people and communalities we work for together so their voices are heard.

There is a lively and practical workshop programme, from the latest developments in good governance to how you can harness the sector’s entrepreneurial potential. There will be top flight keynote speakers, plenty of opportunities to network and a post conference drinks reception.

Conference info

Leeds. A conference to showcase the practical resources and initiatives developed by the Volunteering Hub.

With inspirational guest speakers, practical advice, workshops, networking opportunities, a small exhibition and a question and answer session with expert panellists.

Including

• Introduction to using the National Occupational Standards for Managing Volunteers
• The Investing in Volunteers toolkit
• Launch of the Excellence in Volunteer Management training programme
• Details of the new funding model for Volunteer Centres
• The online Good Practice Bank
• Launch of the ultimate toolkit for Volunteer Centre managers

Early bird discount applies to bookings made before 6 December.

To register your interest, email: events@volunteeringengland.org

Tools of the Trade conference info - Leeds