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ACRE News
We are seeking applications for two posts based at our headquarters in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, to underpin network growth and development and manage the delivery of national programmes worth over £10.5 million over three years. ACRE offers an excellent work-life balance package including a generous annual leave allowance, flexi-working, a contributory pension scheme, plus life and long-term sickness insurance.
Director of Development
This is a senior post with key responsibilities for organisational development within ACRE and provision of high level business support for our network members. The post holder will develop and implement new business opportunities and programmes, both within ACRE and in conjunction with its member organisations. The role also comprises corporate and financial management within ACRE, working with the ACRE board to deliver improved governance and accountability.
RCAN Programme Manager
Reporting to the Director of Development, the post holder will manage funding distribution and compliance, as well as undertaking monitoring and evaluation of outcomes. High level project management skills are required, together with experience of managing stakeholder relationships and a proven track record of delivery.
For more information on both of these posts click here.
RCAN News
Derbyshire Rural Community Council have appointed a new Chief Executive. Sylvia Green has taken the post and replaces Helen Lidgett who has been the Acting Chief Officer whilst still undertaking her own role as Village Halls Advisor.
Dorset Community Action is looking to recruit new Trustees, if you are interested please click here . The responsibilities which would be expected of a Trustee are: Decide overall policy and direction of DCA work; Ensure that the organisation is run in compliance with its governing; document, charity law, company law etc; Ensure that funds received by DCA are properly managed and accounted for; Act as the formal employer of the staff, support their work and be interested in their development; Understand, promote and safeguard the good name and ethos of DCA; Monitor the performance of the organisation in meeting its objectives.
News
Upland Britain more resistant to climate change
Evidence that some of England’s green and pleasant land will stay that way, despite global warming, has been found in one of the longest running climate change experiments on the planet. Upland limestone grassland in Buxton, northern England which is too steep to cultivate has proven remarkably resistant to 13 years of simulated climate change. This finding is in contrast to areas of lowland Britain subjected to urbanisation and effects of intensive agriculture will be rapidly transformed by climate change and will be more open to invasion by alien species. For the full article click here.
Charities with a trading arm 'are more likely to get funding'
Charities should consider setting up social enterprise trading arms to improve their chances of securing funding from foundations, according to Uday Thakkar, director of social enterprise consultancy Red Ochre. Click here for the full article.
Risk Assessment Made Simple
A number of Made Simple guides have been produced by Sayer Vincent, a specialist firm of consultants and auditors in conjunction with CFDG and are available in print form free to members. CFDG (Charity Finance Directors’ Group) is the professional body for finance directors within the sector, and has over 1,400 members. CFDG provides assistance to charities on a range of issues, such as accounting, taxation, audit and other finance-related functions. Click here to access them.
Parliamentary News
Communities in control: Real People, Real Power
The long awaited Community Empowerment White Paper has been published this week. The paper is the government’s vision for strengthening representative democracy through participative democracy. The White Paper also announces a £7.5 million Empowerment Fund for national third sector organisations. This Fund covers areas such as innovative schemes for young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to gain community leadership skills, involvement in planning and social enterprise. Although ACRE welcomed the release of the White Paper we were saddened to note that Community Led Planning was ignored. Our press release to this effect is available here.
Communities and Local Government Committee hears from local government representatives – Place Shaping
Local government needed greater powers to provide locally accountable services, MPs have heard. The Parliamentary Committee has been hearing how local leadership and accountability is needed and that place-shaping needed to be determined locally because of differences between localities. The full transcript which covers Local Area Agreements, Local Strategic Partnerships and the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 is available to read online.
MPs debate Public Transport (Estimates Day)
In the Public Transport estimates debate the Minister of State for the Department for Transport Rosie Winterton gave support for more quality partnerships and contracts in community transport. The debate was opened by the Chair of the Transport Select Committee, Labour MP Louise Ellman, who discussed the recommendations the Transport Select Committee had made in their report. She also spoke of how the Local Transport Bill was addressing the lack of transport in local areas and how the concessions scheme could apply to people in rural areas. The full debate is available online.
Funding
Tender Fund - loans to help third sector
A new Futurebuilders programme offers interest-free three year loans to third sector organisations to tender for public service contracts. The Tender Fund offers interest-free three year loans of between £3,000 and £50,000 to third sector organisations who need relatively small sums of money to help them tender successfully for specific public service delivery contracts. Further details are available here.
Sports Relief Community Foundations Programme - Grants available up to £10,000
These grants support projects that use sport and exercise to strengthen communities and provide opportunities for people who face disadvantage and isolation from their community. Grants are available up to £10,000 and are being distributed by the Community Foundation Network on behalf of Sport Relief. Further details are available here.
Southern Water Trust Fund
Each year, a limited amount of money is also allocated to supporting money advice and debt counselling. Organisations may make an application showing how they would use the grants to enhance or develop money advice services to people and families served by Southern Water Ltd.
Grant Funding Opportunity
East Midlands Tourism is offering £2.4million of grant funding to tourism businesses and organisations across the region. The funding will be used to support projects that will improve the quality of tourism in the region and provide a boost to the region’s visitor economy. Projects that will be considered for funding need to be innovative, sustainable (environmentally, economically and socially) and should demonstrate the potential to give the region a competitive edge over other UK tourist destinations. Further details are available online.
Events
'The State Of The Countryside 2008 - 10 Years On' Launch.
Wednesday 16th July 2008, RSA, London
For those interested in attending a landmark debate exploring the economic, social and environmental trends in the countryside over the last decade (as detailed in the 'State of the countryside' reports) please email your details to Liam McHugh crcadmin@ruralcommunities.gov.uk or call 01242 521381. Please bear in mind that places are limited to 100.
This year's main theme will be the growing inequality and diversity in the countryside. As this year is the 10th anniversary of the report, it has been decided to broaden the debate to look ahead to future challenges in the countryside.This session will be chaired by Professor Tony Travers. The audience will be drawn from across the political, media, academic, public and voluntary sectors. The debate will be followed by a celebratory reception.
NCVCCO Annual Conference Governing for Children.
Taking place in Birmingham on 10 September 2008 this event offers essential advice for Senior Management and Trustees on important governance issues like: vetting & barring, volunteers and governance.
Speakers include: Sir Roger Singleton, Independent Safeguarding Authority and Martin Brookes, New Philanthropy Capital. Details are also available on the NCVCCO website
Recruitment
Director of Management Consultancy and Senior Consultant (Statutory Funding) at Action Planning
Two significant internal opportunities have arisen at Action Planning. The first is Director of Management Consultancy and they are looking for strong leadership skills, a background in strategy and governance and the confidence to address our conferences and lead CEO workshops. To see the advertisement click here.
Secondly, their Revenue Fundraising team is also appointing an additional Senior Consultant specialising in securing statutory contracts and grants, a fast-growing field in which we have already run more than 80 courses and provided bid-writing and consultancy services to a wide range of charities. There are details of the role here. |
