Sector chiefs challenge Hurd over Big Society coherence and strategy

2 February 2011

Greetings!

While all the speakers at yesterday's Green Alliance event supported the idea of the Big Society, it was clear they didn't entirely trust the government's commitment to it. Their overriding message was clear: the credibility of the concept is at risk unless ministers spread responsibility for its success to the private sector and the whole of government, instead of just leaving civil society to do all the work.

Sector chiefs challenge Hurd over Big Society coherence and strategy

Minister for civil society Nick Hurd faced a barrage of doubts about the government's strategic commitment to the Big Society at a Green Alliance event in central London yesterday.

National Trust opposes forestry sell-off

The chief executive of the National Trust has condemned the government's proposals to transfer ownership of the nation's forests from the Forestry Commission to the private sector, charitable trusts or local communities.

Homelessness charity faces £100,000 bill after Tupe ruling

Homelessness charity, the 700 Club, is facing a bill in excess of £100,000 after a court ruled that it must adhere to Tupe regulations after beating the Salvation Army in a tender bid to provide beds in Darlington.

Permission to pay trustees must remain with Commission, says NCVO

The Charity Commission must retain its regulatory role with regards to granting charities permission to pay their trustees, the NCVO has said in its submission to the taskforce charged with cutting red tape in the sector.

Bubb to ask ministers whether Dame Suzi's job is at risk

Sir Stephen Bubb, chief executive of Acevo, will ask Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude and civil society minister Nick Hurd to deny press reports that the job of Dame Suzi Leather, chair of the Charity Commission, is under threat.

Lord Wei to cut back working hours in Big Society role

Big Society tsar Lord Wei plans to stop working overtime for the government as the Big Society policy has developed past its early stages, says a Cabinet Office spokesman.

In other news...

FRSB refers Salvation Army clothing collection bank complaint to charity

The Fundraising Standards Board has asked the Salvation Army to deal with a public complaint about the charity's arrangement with its commercial clothing bank partner following national press coverage criticising the partnership for favouring the company.

Student unions get own governance code

The National Union of Students has produced a Good Governance Code of Practice for its member unions to help them adjust to their new status as registered charities.

Sector representatives take part in UK/India public health challenge

An employee from each of Groundwork UK, British Red Cross and Action for Children have been selected to take part in a joint UK/India healthcare challenge supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Common Purpose.

PR institute surveys charity comms leaders on strategic input

Fifth Estate, the voluntary sector group of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, is conducting a survey to assess the extent to which senior communications professionals are allowed to help set strategy within their charities.

Blogs...

What's all the fuss about the Forestry Commission?

Gordon Hunter thinks the plans to sell off the forests are 'pedestrian' and could go further.

Early Years and early days

As Sure Start centres throughout England prepare for possible closure in the face of impending cuts, London Early Years Foundation chief June O'Sullivan sums up the mood in the children's sector.

Events

Trustee Exchange Conference
30 March 2011

The Charity Awards
9 June 2011
Now open for entries

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They said it...

"We have to recognise that we live in a society that has created its own social norms, and those norms are incompatible right now with a viable Big Society based on genuine community action"

(Martin Kirk, head of UK campaigns at Oxfam)

@CSGovernance

Civil Society eNews Contacts

Tania Mason, editor, 020 7819 1214,
tania.mason@civilsociety.co.uk

Phil Bishop, online advertising, 020 7819 1215,
phil.bishop@civilsociety.co.uk

Niki May Young, website editor, 020 7819 1206,
nikimay.young@civilsociety.co.uk