Church Commissioners is going Stateside as it undertakes a radical overhaul of its investments; meanwhile government reforms are high on the agenda with the Localism Bill's 'Right to Buy' proposals under opposition and NHS reforms, including measures which could see charities running health services, delayed.
The Church Commissioners will stop investing in UK government bonds, cut back its holdings in global equities, and invest in US timber as part of a radical new restructuring of its investment strategy.
The private property industry has signalled its opposition to the 'Right to Buy' proposals contained in the Localism Bill and has implored the government to insert "safeguards" to stop communities making vexatious claims on properties.
As the Treasury Select Committee prepares to review the Payments Council proposal to phase out cheques by 2018, a survey by nfpSynergy and Fundraising has found that a significant proportion of the charity sector is extremely worried about the impact this could have on their income.
Civil Society Media has launched a new online application allowing charities to compare their long-term income data with the financial performance of other charities.
In other news...
86 per cent of CAF Bank deposits made by cheque CAF Bank has moved to demonstrate the charity sector's reliance on cheques by revealing that it received 1.7 million cheques worth £471m in the 2010/11 financial year.
Government plans 'not changed' on public service reform, says Cabinet Office The Cabinet Office has denied suggestions in a BBC story that it is "scaling back" its proposals to outsource great swathes of public services to the private sector in favour of employee-owned mutuals and social enterprises, insisting that it always intended a big role for civil society groups.
Charity health service delivery at risk as Clegg threatens to block reforms NHS reforms which could see an increase in the number of health services run by charities could be scrapped after Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg threatened to block the plans unless "substantial, significant changes to the legislation" are made.
High-street banks slammed for offering 'mean commercial terms' to Big Society Bank Sir Sandy Crombie, a non-executive director for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, was forced to defend the plans by four high-street banks to give the Big Society Bank £200m on commercial terms, after MPs criticised it as "mean and churlish" compared to what taxpayers paid to bail out the banks in 2009.
Charity Awards
A campaign that changed the UK government's policy on the export of drugs used in US executions, a project that halved the number of kids that left school without a job or course to go to, and the fundraising appeal that accompanied the Evening Standard's Dispossessed campaign are among the 32 charities to have made the shortlist for this year's prestigious Charity Awards.
Save 20% Representing fantastic value for money, the Charity Finance bundle comprises a one year subscription to Charity Finance magazine, a copy of the Charity Yearbook 2011 and a copy of the Accounts Compliance Checklist 2011.
Figure this...
70
The percentage of charities providing smartphones to some or all staff.
