Response to Cutting Red Tape Consultation
The Cutting Red Tape review of local authorities is a government review led by the Cabinet Office, DCLG and BIS, working together with other government departments and regulators. NCVO are planning to submit a response and would like to hear evidence on areas of interest to the sector including procurement and volunteering
The Cutting Red Tape review of local authorities is a government review led by the Cabinet Office, DCLG and BIS, working together with other government departments and regulators. They want to identify and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to growth and associated costs placed on businesses by local authorities, while ensuring necessary protections are maintained, and also gather evidence of where regulation imposes unnecessary or avoidable burdens and costs on local government. More information on the consultation can be found on the Cabinet Office website.
NCVO are planning to submit a short response focussing on procurement barriers, applying for discretionary business rate relief, and volunteering issues. If you have any evidence or examples that you would like them to include, please contact Nick Davies at Nick.Davies@ncvo.org.uk by the end of play on 22nd April. The final deadline for submissions is 28th April.
Voluntary Action Oldham and CVAT to merge
At their respective AGMs in October, the members of both Voluntary Action Oldham and Community and Voluntary Action Tameside voted unanimously in favour of merging their organisations
At their respective AGMs in October, the members of both Voluntary Action Oldham and Community and Voluntary Action Tameside voted unanimously in favour of merging their organisations
The reasons for this decision were both financial and to help increase the future viability of the merged organisation. The major source of income for both organisations are the local authorities and therefore, with the increasing pressure on their budgets, there have been implications for both Voluntary Action Oldham and CVAT.
The Case for Change document (attached below) gives further information about the background to the merger. It is expected that work will now be undertaken until March 2016 to map out what the new organisation will look like with the aim to formally merge in April 2016.
Link
The Case for Change
VCSE role in Greater Manchester Devolution
A group of VCSE leaders have written, with GMCVO's support, to the Interim Mayor of Greater Manchester on developing a programme of engagement with the sector. The letter, which has been well received, is informing a number of early discussions with Greater Manchester system leaders.
The letter outlines five proposals from the sector looking at:
- developing a set of partnership principles
- secondments and placements
- sector role in engagement and communications
- driving innovation in the sector
- a VCSE Strategic Partners Programme