Communities Secretary Announces Increased Support for Voluntary Sector

John Denham has revealed four new steps designed to strengthen support for charities and voluntary and community groups.

The announcement has been made following a recent report showing that most people in England believe community spirit is still strong and that different cultures are mixing successfully.

The steps are:

 • Measures to ensure the transfer of publicly owned buildings to local community organisations.

• New grant schemes to allow local groups to become self-sufficient.

• Guidance to local councils asking them to consider third sector organisations when announcing new local government contracts.

• Helping community groups to generate new finance and become involved in delivering cost-effective services preventing social problems.

Mr Denham said:

“Today’s announcement further develops our support and commitment to local organisations, from helping them take over the running of a disused building to create a social enterprise or community centre to winning council contracts for local public services.

“We know that services are best when delivered locally so they meet the needs and aspirations of the community – and it is often the voluntary or not-for-profit groups that are closest to the community. They have greater trust invested in them, and they can represent individuals and communities whose voices may not always be heard.

“They can also often take a more cross-cutting approach to delivering local services – and should be used to their full potential.”

Department of Communities and Local Government, 06/04/2010

New Third Sector Minister appointed

The former parliamentary private sectary to Gordon Brown, Angela Evans Smith, has been announced as the new Minister for the Third Sector in the latest cabinet reshuffle.

Smith, MP for Basildon and former member of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), will replace previous minister, Kevin Brennan, who is set to join the new Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, headed by Peter Mandelson.

A prominent and active supporter of charities, Smith is a patron of a number of organisations, including the Captive Animals Protection Society, the Burned Children’s Club and Basildon Women’s Refuge, and cites a range of causes including animal welfare, child protection, employment, youth issues and employment as key personal interests.

Pledging to continue to promote and recognise the “vital role” of the Third Sector in today’s society, Smith said:

“As a Government we need to ensure that the right advice, support and financing is available […].  I will drive forward the Government’s support for a thriving third sector and champion the innovative and dedicated work of those of you who serve in the sector.”

Third Sector members have warmly welcomed Smith’s appointment, with Acevo chief executive, Stephen Bubb, claiming it marked a “promotion for the sector”. 

Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, was also replaced last week following her resignation from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).  She will be succeeded by the former secretary of state for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham.

Source: Cabinet Office

Charities to get share of Empowerment Fund

21 charities have been chosen to receive a share of the Communities and Local Government £9.25 million Empowerment Fund.

 

The programme, which provides three year grants of between £250,000 and £500,000, has been designed to specifically target third sector groups that work in community development, social media, social entrepreneurship and community involvement and has received more than 150 applications for funding since its launch in July 2008.

 

Amongst the successful groups that will receive a share of the cash are Media Trust, an organisation that works with the media industry to build effective communications for the charity and voluntary sectors, the Sheila McKechnie Foundation, a charity that works to tackle injustice and Social Firms UK, the national support agency for Social Firm development.

 

The Fund has not been without controversy, however.  In September 2008, the CLG were forced to remove eligibility criteria that required applicants to the scheme to have an annual income of at least £400,000, after receiving an angry petition from excluded third sector groups.

 

Source: Communities and Local Government

£70 million fund to help tackle migration issues

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith have this week unveiled a new fund to help communities tackle migration issues.

 

The Migrants Impact Fund will provide up to £70 million over the next two years and is intended to alleviate short term pressures placed on communities and local service providers such as councils, schools, the NHS and the police. 

 

Whilst the government is keen to acknowledge that migration is important and will bring about long term benefits for the UK economy, it is also aware of its impact on local communities.

 

The Fund will be sourced from an extra levy economic migrants will be asked to pay in addition to their normal visa application fee.

 

Funding will be allocated to all regions throughout England.  Local authorities will administer the financial support to innovative local projects that can demonstrate effective solutions to migration issues whilst also benefiting already existing community services.

 

For further information visit:

 

http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/

 

http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1180107

 

 

Source:  Department for Communities and Local Government

 

CLG big recipients revealed

A document released last week has revealed the big recipients of Communities and Local Government (CLG) funding in recent years.

 

The CLG department was prompted by a parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten to release details about its funding arrangements.  In particular, Mr Oaten wanted information to be made available on any organisation that has received more than £100,000 from the government in the past three years.

 

The document lists environmental charity Groundwork UK as the organisation that has received the most funding and claims they have netted almost £20 million in total, with £3.7 million in 2005/06 rising to £10.3 million in 2007/08.  A spokesperson from Groundwork UK, however, has suggested the figure is closer to £42 million, with the charity actually accepting around £14 million from the CLG for each of the three years.

 

Other big recipients, each receiving more than £5 million over three years, include homeless, housing and care charities St Mungo’s, Shelter and Look Ahead.

 

Source: Communities and Local Government

Empowerment Fund launch leaves some from sector unhappy

Last week’s launch of the government’s £7.5 million Empowerment Fund has caused a stir amongst some third sector organisations.

 

The Fund, which will run from 2009 – 2012 and will support approximately 25 – 30 organisations with grants of between £250,000 – £500,000, has outraged smaller voluntary and community organisations because of its financial thresholds.

 

According to the Fund’s criteria, only charities with an annual income of at least £400,000 are eligible to apply.  These measures mean a whole host of valuable and entirely competent voluntary sector groups will miss out on a chance of funding and the opportunity to work towards community empowerment- simply because of their income size.

 

Charities and voluntary groups had warned the Communities and Local Government department during a consultation back in September that implementing the thresholds would disappoint the sector and claimed that the steps could “increase disparity” and “limit innovation and new approaches”.  The government, however, insists that limiting the number of eligible applicants will ensure the Fund makes a more “meaningful impact”.

 

For further information visit:

 

J4bCommunity:  http://www.j4bcommunity.co.uk/default.aspx

 

Communities and Local Government: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1005709

 

Source: Third Sector

Funding Deadline Round Up!

October has flown by and November is nearly upon us!  If you are thinking of applying for any of these programmes, you might want to get your skates on – they all have upcoming November deadlines!

 

BBC Children in Need Grants – BBC Children in Need – 30/11/08

 

Calor Village of the Year Awards, England – Calor Gas Ltd. – 30/11/08

 

Road Safety Partnership Grant Scheme – Department for Transport – 30/11/08

 

Digital Mentors Pilot Funding – Department for Communities and Local Government – 24/11/08

 

Wales: Millennium Volunteers – Wales Council for Voluntary Action – 5/11/08

 

Scotland: INCREASE III Enterprise, Prevention and Small Grants – Community Recycling Network for Scotland – 3/11/08

 

Northern Ireland: Core Funding Grant Scheme – Community Relations Council – 28/11/2008

 

Source: j4bCommunity

 

For more detailed information, consult the j4bCommunity website:

 

http://www.j4bcommunity.co.uk/default.aspx