The Charity Commission is using Ramadan to encourage mosques and community organisations which benefit from the generosity of Muslim people to look at registering as a charity.

See their news item for further information, at http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/prramadhan.asp.

The consultation ‘Transforming places, changing lives’ sets out proposals that aim to shape the way that regeneration is carried out in future in England.

The focus is on three priority outcomes: improved economic performance in deprived areas; improved rates of work and enterprise in deprived areas; and creating sustainable places where people want to live and can work, and businesses want to invest.

Closing date 31st October, http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/citiesandregions/transformingplaces.

The Compact, a voluntary partnership agreement between the government and the voluntary and community sector setting out principles for how the two sectors will work together, was originally agreed in 1998.

Following a request from Minister for the Third Sector Phil Hope, the Commission for the Compact has started a debate on its future. A discussion document (pdf, 47kb) is at http://www.thecompact.org.uk/shared_asp_files/GFSR.asp?NodeID=101783 - respond by 10th November.

Umbrella body NCVO has its own consultation questionnaire and briefing on the issues at http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=9958.

A web site specifically for the large number of Portuguese workers in the UK has been launched by the TUC. With input from Citizens Advice, it explains the rights workers can expect at work and also contains information about social issues such as housing and health.

The Portuguese language site is at http://www.trabalharnoreinounido.org, news story at http://www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/tuc-15186-f0.cfm.

HM Revenue and Customs will be introducing new A4 versions of form P45 in October which can be printed on plain paper. They contain two extra fields for Date of Birth and Gender.

The current versions are to be withdrawn on 5th April 2009. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/employers-bulletin/bulletin30/paye.htm

The revised guidance on the VAT Charity Fundraising Exemption in connection with charity challenge events has already been covered here.

This came into effect from 31st July, but HM Revenue and Customs has now said that it accepts that where contracts were signed or negotiated before then, or the event has been publicised prior to the publication of the new guidance, charities can account for VAT using their previous procedures. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/vat/brief3608.htm.

Following Royal Assent for the legislation, Gift Aid Transitional Relief is now being processed by HM Revenue and Customs on all repayment claims (made from 1st August) for donations received on or after 6th April 2008. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/transitional-relief.htm. This compensates for the reduction in income tax rates.

Claims made between 6th April and 1st August 2008 will receive backdated transitional relief payments in due course.

Governance that works: Leadership that inspires. The Brewery, London EC1.

The NCVO and OnBoard Trustee Conference is the largest and most important annual event for all those involved with voluntary sector boards.

A diverse team of speakers promise to provide an exciting, inspiring and thought-provoking day. This year we have the pleasure of introducing Sir David Henshaw (Chair, NHS North West), Craig Dearden-Philips (CEO, Speaking Up) and Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE. With 12 interactive workshops to choose from, delegates will have the opportunity to learn a variety of approaches to improving board effectiveness, such as working with young trustees, financial investments, legal update, managing the CEO/Chair relationship & much more. As a new addition to this year’s conference, Ben Kernighan (Deputy CEO, NCVO) will be chairing a lively debate on Trust and Transparency.
To book a place or for further information visit www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/trusteeconf08 or call Georgina Anstey on 020 7520 2511

Building on a recent report on achieving world class public services, the government’s Cabinet Office and HM Treasury are surveying third sector providers on their innovation in public service delivery.

They want to reach organisations that are currently delivering public services or have been involved in their delivery in the last 12 months, with responses due by 8th September. See http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/news/news_stories/080811_survey.aspx.

The Office of the Third Sector is looking for a comprehensive and innovative approach to providing information about funding for the sector. It is now tendering for a partner(s) to develop a web-based funding gateway to link third sector organisations with new funding opportunities efficiently. More information.

Meanwhile, those looking for funding news on the web might want to visit the site being trialled by South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau at http://fundingnews.wordpress.com.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator has published ‘Public and Charity Perspectives: Summary of the 2008 OSCR Surveys’.

Two surveys carried out earlier this year tracked levels of public trust in Scottish charities and sought feedback from charities on OSCR’s priorities, communications and operational functions. News item with link to report (a large pdf, 5.3MB).

‘Principles of Representation: A framework for effective third sector participation in Local Strategic Partnerships’ has been published by the Communities and Local Government Department, with input from local sector support body NAVCA and the Office of the Third Sector.

It “provides advice to the third sector on how best to organise themselves to maximise their input on Local Strategic Partnership boards” and NAVCA hopes it will help the local third sector strengthen its voice on LSPs. http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/principleofrepresentation.