Civil Society - Governance

SCVO writes scathing response to OSCR guidance on political campaigning

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:01:00 GMT

The Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations has criticised the Scottish regulator, OSCR, for stepping “outside its regulatory remit” in draft guidance produced for charities on the Scottish independence referendum.

Bubb: Commission performance must improve before charging fees

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:40:00 GMT

Acevo chief executive Sir Stephen Bubb has said the Charity Commission will have to get better at regulating the sector before charities would be prepared to supplement its income with fees.

Barnardo's chief executive to step down

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:24:00 GMT

The chief executive of Barnardo’s Anne Marie Carrie will leave the children’s charity next month after nearly three years in the role to set up her own consultancy.

Film of the week: Street Pastors - the Movie

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:50:00 GMT

Every weekend, in town and city centres up and down the country, Street Pastors are offering people care, practical help and a listening ear, whatever their circumstances.

This film aims to make their work visible to a wider audience.

Big Society Network's 2012 accounts show £180k deficit

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:57:00 GMT

Big Society Network has finally filed its 2012 accounts with Companies House, nearly five months late, and the unaudited abbreviated balance sheet shows a deficit at the end of March last year of £180,716.

Commission suggests charging charities or top-slicing gift aid to fund its services

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:50:00 GMT

The Charity Commission has suggested to the Treasury that it takes a slice of gift aid or places a direct levy on charities, as it warns it cannot sustain a further 10 per cent funding cut expected in the government’s upcoming spending review.

New CRB body to launch 'time-saving' checking process in June

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:14:00 GMT

The Disclosure and Barring Service, which has replaced CRB checks, has announced details of its new Update Service, which will be launched in June and “save the customer time and money and improve the overall safeguarding landscape".

Help for Heroes offers condolences to murdered soldier's family

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:29:00 GMT

Help for Heroes has expressed its “deep sadness” about the murder of a soldier in south London who was widely reported to be wearing one of the charity’s branded T-shirts at the time.

I have a question…don't laugh

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:06:00 GMT

Niki May Young ponders the importance of being able to ask the silly questions.

Welsh representative to join Charity Commission board

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:27:00 GMT

A Welsh representative has been appointed to join the six new Charity Commission board members announced earlier this month.

Shadow minister wades in to Big Society Network funding controversy

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:11:00 GMT

Shadow minister for civil society Gareth Thomas has tabled a series of Parliamentary questions to minister Nick Hurd about the government's funding of Big Society Network and the allocation of Social Action Fund money.

Commission moots indicating FRSB membership on charity register

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:27:00 GMT

Charities’ membership or non-membership of the Fundraising Standards Board could be included on the charity register from 2014, alongside details of any public fundraising arrangements, following proposals put to the charity sector for consultation by the Charity Commission today.

Birkbeck University to end voluntary and community studies course

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:45:00 GMT

Birkbeck University of London has come under fire over plans to close its Masters course in Voluntary and Community Sector Studies.

16 philanthropists join CRUK £100m fundraising board

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:43:00 GMT

Cancer Research UK has signed up 16 high-flying philanthropists to the development board to lead its £100m fundraising campaign for the Francis Crick Institute.

DWP told to publish names of organisations involved in workfare

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:23:00 GMT

The Information Tribunal has ruled that the Department for Work and Pensions must publish the names of the businesses and charities which are involved in its unpaid work experience schemes.

Civil society merger of the year

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:22:00 GMT

An impressive array of sector leaders turned out in all their finery on Saturday to attend the wedding of Sir Stuart Etherington and Rosamund McCarthy.

Comic Relief appoints BBC Worldwide chief as new chairman

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:14:00 GMT

Peter Bennett-Jones has decided to step down as chairman of Comic Relief after 15 years at the helm.

Screwfix launches foundation to help charities fix their properties

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:08:00 GMT

One of the biggest trade retailers in the UK, Screwfix, has set up a charity that will provide grants for charities to fix, maintain and improve their properties.

When ignorance is far from bliss

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:59:00 GMT

A shifting political atmosphere is putting power in the hands of the inexperienced, warns Robert Ashton.

Welsh government opens voluntary sector consultation

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:20:00 GMT

The Welsh government has opened a consultation on its relationship with the voluntary sector and is looking for views on how it can work in partnership with the sector.