News

NCVO release latest figures on UK voluntary sector

Submitted on 6th March 2012 at 17:50

Voluntary Sector

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) launched the UK Civil Society Almanac 2012 yesterday.

The Almanac, which is released every two years, provides a definitive overview of the voluntary sector’s scope and characteristics, alongside analysis of long-term trends.

Healthwatch England consultation underway

Submitted on 15th February 2012 at 17:42

News in brief

The Department of Health are running a consultation into the membership of Healthwatch England.

Trafford Council replaces library staff with volunteers

Submitted on 10th February 2012 at 17:13

News in brief

This week Trafford Council announced that it was removing all of its paid staff from two local libraries and replacing them with volunteers, according to Third Sector.

NAO to review effectiveness of central government’s communication with local government

Submitted on 9th February 2012 at 15:32

News in brief

The National Audit Office (NAO) have announced that they will be undertaking a study examining the impact of central government bodies' communications and engagement – with a focus on the local experience of central government.

New guidance on using the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman

Submitted on 8th February 2012 at 17:49

Voluntary Sector

Compact Voice have today published new guidance on using the services of the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PHSO).

The PHSO is referred to in the Compact Accountability and Transparency Guide as a resource to use ‘when things go wrong’. This briefing note explains when the PHSO can and cannot help, how you can use their services and how to contact them. It also addresses the implications for voluntary organisations, local Compact groups and partnerships.

Download the briefing in our resources section.

Shadow Minister for Civil Society raises Parliamentary Questions on the Compact

Submitted on 3rd February 2012 at 15:56

Compact

The Shadow Minister for Civil Society, Gareth Thomas, raised a series of questions in the House of Commons this week, which were in relation to the government’s implementation of the Compact. The answers outline each department’s commitment to Compact and how they are considering that more needs to be done in light of the findings of the NAO’s recent report into Compact Implementation.

Compact one of government’s six business plan priorities

Submitted on 1st February 2012 at 11:24

Compact

The Compact is now one of six departmental priorities cutting across government business plans, according to Nick Hurd, the Minister for Civil Society. The Minister made the announcement at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Civil Society and Volunteering in Westminster yesterday.

New Compact guidance for town and parish councils published

Submitted on 26th January 2012 at 11:35

Local

Compact Voice and the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) have jointly published a guidance document, which is designed to provide information about the purpose and benefits of local Compacts to town and parish councils.

Independence Panel’s report published

Submitted on 23rd January 2012 at 11:07

News in brief

The Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector have published their first report. 'Protecting Independence: The Voluntary Sector in 2012' outlines some of the key challenges facing voluntary organisations' independence, and outlines a number of 'Lessons from the Work Programme'. The report is the first of five.

Download the full report here (pdf).

Compact Voice welcomes the NAO report into Central Government’s Implementation of the National Compact

Submitted on 5th January 2012 at 11:14

National

Today the National Audit Office (NAO) has published the findings from their inquiry into how government departments are implementing the Compact in their work.

The inquiry – announced as part of the accountability and transparency measures which accompanied the renewed Compact in 2010 – highlights some key issues and makes a number of recommendations to improve departmental activities.