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Your City, Your Voice Your Voice
The Policy Update from Community Action July 2009
In This Issue
3rd Sector Participation Project
Working Better Together
Cultural Strategy and Action Plan
New Minister for the 3rd Sector
The Recession and Compact Implementation
 
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Charity Commission News
The latest edition (issue 29) of Charity Commission News has now been published on the charity commission website 
 
This edition contains the findings of their second economic survey of charities during the economic downturn, showing that the impact is growing. Other articles in the newsletter include an interesting look at the relationship between charities, their beneficiaries and the public; advice on serious incident reporting; and information about the compulsory pension changes in 2012.

 
Volunteering
in Health and Social Care
 
The Department of Health are producing a Volunteering Strategy. They are looking for organisations that work in volunteering in health and social care and who would like to get involved in shaping the policy.
 For more information
on the article please
click on the link
Hello, 
Welcome to Your City, Your Voice, the new policy update from Community Action. We have brought together the most current news and information relating to the 3rd Sector, locally and nationally, and hope that you will find it useful.
 
If you have any news or articles that you would like us to include in the bulletin please email 
 
3rd Sector Participation Project Update
CommunityDerby City Partnership (DCP) brings together the public, private and voluntary and community sectors in Derby to improve life in the city. Community Action has been awarded the contract to provide a means of co-ordinating all voluntary and community sector, or 3rd Sector, engagement with the DCP. The 3rd Sector Participation Project aims to add value to existing work by improving communication using email and internet technology; engaging the Sector meaningfully; and ensuring that those representing the 3rd Sector are accountable to those they represent.  
 
In May we held a Third Sector Voices (3SV) meeting inviting all 3rd Sector representatives who sit within the DCP. Attendees were asked their perceptions of the current way of working and changes they would like to see as a result of the project. To view the structure chart of 3rd Sector representatives please visit the Community Action website A minimum of two places on each of the five cities and sub groups was requested as a result of the meeting and this has been agreed by the DCP Board.
 
For further information about the project and to find out how you can be involved email Matthew Allbones, Deputy Chief Executive or telephone 01332 227721. 
Working Better Together
A national study has been published by The Audit Commission evaluating the management of local strategic partnerships (LSP). The study entitiled 'Working better together? Managing local strategic partnerships' reviews arrangements for LSPs performance, resource management and governance.  In order for the LSPs to deliver on their Sustainable Community Strategies and their Local Area Agreements, the study found that most needed to improve on their partnership working. For the full report please click the link 
Cultural Strategy and Action Plan

The Cultural City now has a new Cultural Strategy and Action Plan which will run from April 2009 to March 2011.  The main areas of the action plan are: 

  • Improving the range and quality of cultural opportunities and facilities; 
  • contributing to regeneration and prosperity; and
  • celebrating diversity and ensuring participation.

To see the full document click the link

New Minister for the Third Sector
AngelaSmithAngela Smith has been appointed as the new Minister for the Office of the Third Sector. Angela Smith is the MP for Basildon and was previously a vice-chair of the all party group on charities and the voluntary sector.  Stuart Etherington, chief executive of sector umbrella body the NCVO, welcomed Smith's appointment and her promotion to minister of state. He said:
"This reflects the importance of our sector. This is a crucial time for voluntary and community organisations and Angela will need to work closely with us all to support civil society through these turbulent times."
The Recession and Compact Implementation
The Commission for the Compact has published a discussion
paper reviewing the potential impact of the recession on the
relationship between government and the third sector and the
implementation of the Compact. The eight main areas for
discussion are:
Reduced income for Third Sector Organisations (TSOs);
Increased demand for services provided by TSOs;
An increase in volunteering;
Increased staff turnover in TSOs;
Increased risks with funding linked to outcomes in the employment/skills sector;
Real Help for Communities: volunteers, charities and social
enterprises;
Potential for new partnership working; and 
Commitment to Local Compacts.
 
To view the paper in full visit the Compact website 
 
We hope you found this ebulletin useful and informative. Thanks for reading! 
Sincerely,
 

Matthew Albones
Community Action 
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