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The Derbyshire Compact is a written agreement between local voluntary, community and statutory organisations in Derbyshire that sets out a framework for how organisations should work together. It promotes co-operative working through shared values and principles and identifies the need for equal working relationships.

The Compact is a practical tool that sets out good practice guidelines covering what difference parties should aim for in relation to:

funding;

consultation;

community groups;

volunteering; and

equality.

It also sets out how organisations should work together in partnership and has been adopted by the Derbyshire Partnership Forum which aims to bring a range of organisations together to work co-operatively with local communities.

The Compact can be used:

at the start of a project or piece of work to develop ways in which to work together;
during a project to help focus on issues which need to be sorted out while working together; or
when a project or piece of work has finished, to see how successful it has been and how it can be improved in the future.

Why is the Derbyshire Compact important? A means to developing the relationships further over the coming years and will help support the National Indicator of a thriving third sector which looks at how the public bodies can help Voluntary and Community Groups to grow.

Why signing the Compact helps. We are encouraging organisations and groups to sign the Compact. This can be done by following the link below.

The Steering Group can answer any questions you may have, discuss any problems you are experiencing, or simply explain how the Compact can benefit your group. The Steering Group is always open to feedback from groups and organisations which have used it.

The Steering group can be contacted through:
Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG; Tel: 01629 580000 ext 7254; Email: louise.collins@derbyshire.gov.uk

High Peak CVS, 1a Bingswood Trading Estate, Whaley Bridge, High Peak SK23 7LY
Tel: 01663 736421; Email: kevin@highpeakcvs.org.uk

To sign the Derbyshire Compact commitment form:
www.highpeakcvs.org.uk/compact/SigningDerbyshireCompact.doc

If your organisation or group has already signed the Derbyshire Compact and would like to reaffirm your commitment:
www.highpeakcvs.org.uk/compact/Re-signingDerbyshireCompact.doc

Derbyshire Move on Officer Vacancy

at Derbyshire Dales District Council – Community Services Department
£23,405 - £26,706

The post requires knowledge of housing policy and practice concerning supported housing and the Supporting People Programme, as well as an understanding of allocation policies.

More details at jobs.derbyshire.gov.uk/derbyshiredales/jobdetails.asp?jobid=22952

Free HP Colour Cartridges

Two tri-colour HP Invent 14 cartridge for inkjet printer 1160 or oficejet d125xi, d135, d155xi, 7110 7130, 7140, 7140xi. Contact: Debbie Rushworth, Senior Co-ordinator, Home-Start High Peak, Tel 01298 72777, Mobile 07971 957668.

Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre

The regional Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre (ESTac) are offering support for community groups in the East Midlands to hold events or activities on energy saving and renewable energy.

They can offer to send one of their advisors to an event to give a talk or to staff a stall and offer advice on energy saving, renewables and grants. Alternatively, if you want to organise an event, the ESTac can offer up to £120 to cover costs of speakers, venue etc. The ESTac can also supply lots of literature and leaflets on energy saving, renewables and grants.

If you are interested contact Teresa Jackson - teresa.jackson@hestiaservices.co.uk,

iT4C IT Volunteer Awards 2008

iT4C is holding their annual IT Volunteering Awards in February, when groups can recognise and reward their wonderful IT volunteers. The deadline for nominations is 19 December. Voluntary organisations can nominate their IT volunteers for the chance to win £500 at the ceremony in London.

Further details are on their website – tinyurl.com/itawards08

How Charities Can Tackle Environmental Responsibility

The Charity Commission has published findings from research into the ways in which charities are taking environmental responsibility. 'Going Green: Charities and Environmental Responsibility' shows how 21 charities interested in environmental sustainability are tackling the challenge, from basic steps to fundamental changes in the way they deliver their services, and contains ideas that may be adapted and adopted. Report at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/publications/rs17.asp or press release at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/news/prgreen.asp

Example Risk Assessment for Charity Shops

One of the new example risk assessments added to HSE's case studies is for a charity shop. There are already ones for village halls and business offices. See the list at www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/index.htm

Third Sector Action Plan

The Office of the Third Sector has clarified how to provide comments on the development of an action plan for government support to the third sector during the economic downturn. Ideas are welcome by 31 December. See OTS news item.

Improving Consultation with the Third Sector

A practical handbook "to help public servants open up the consultation process to reach third sector workers on the ground and to use their experience to influence policy outcomes" has been produced by the Office of the Third Sector and umbrella body Children England. Find 'Better together' or news item.

Improving Social Fund Operation

Views are invited on a range of proposals to improve how the Social Fund operates, to provide more effective help to allow more people to overcome financial exclusion. The focus is on partnership with third sector organisations such as credit unions to deliver the loans to Social Fund customers as well as financial advice and other financial services. 'The Social Fund: A new approach' is in pdf, 85KB at -
www.dwp.gov.uk/consultations/2008/social-fund-new-approach.pdf
- respond by 23 December.

Community Land Trusts

New material on Community Land Trusts, which could support rural business and deliver affordable housing, is online at Social Enterprise magazine, www.socialenterprisemag.co.uk/sem/news/detail/index.asp?id=762 The Community Land Trust site also has New Start's recent four page feature, and under the News section links to the government consultation ending 31 December, and the National CLT Network response, www.communitylandtrust.org.uk

More Sector Notes on Coping with Recession

Notes from the ‘Recession Summit’ organised by NCVO are now available online at www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/policy/index.asp?id=12106

Quiet Queen’s Speech

The legislative programme for the new session of parliament which started on 3 December contains less new laws than recently. As well as areas of concern to charities such as welfare (Child Poverty Bill, Welfare Reform Bill) there are others of interest, such as the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill and a Marine and Coastal Access Bill.
The latter has been welcomed by Marine Conservation Society, although "it needs further toughening up if it is to leave a lasting legacy for nature conservation" – Community Newswire, www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=5297158

The Local Democracy Bill (www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/page2664.asp) includes a new duty to respond to petitions which "will give citizens greater power to hold local authorities to account and influence local services". A new right to request time at work to undertake training will be in the Children, Skills and Learning Bill (expected in force in 2010). For Full list of Bills (draft laws) and other items in the Queen’s Speech, see Number 10 website, www.number10.gov.uk/Page17666

Third Sector Ideas for Labour Party Manifesto

David Blunkett MP has launched his report, commissioned by the Prime Minister, giving policy recommendations around the voluntary sector for the Labour Party manifesto. 'Mutual Action, Common Purpose: Empowering the Third Sector' argues that "the voluntary, community and not for profit sector have an increasingly important role in supporting people in an uncertain world, and supporting government in enabling people to help themselves".

The 56 proposals range from the small and simple (and already under way) to the large and complicated, from encouraging rich donors to expanding the scope of cooperative and mutual organisations. They include piloting a volunteer corps in three or four cities, offering incentives to ensure all young people between the ages of 16 and 25 volunteer for at least six months; social enterprises that employ disabled staff should get tax relief; a portable Third Sector Pensions Scheme.

Download the report pdf (172KB) at -
fabians.org.uk/images/stories/pdfs/mutual_action_common_purpose.pdf

News items: Society Guardian -
www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/nov/27/david-blunkett-charities-volunteering
or Charity Finance, www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2423

Statutory Basis for Compact Commission Pursued

Proposals to put the Commission for the Compact on a statutory footing have been greeted by Third sector minister Kevin Brennan as making sense, and he has promised to look at how to make it happen. This follows the Commissioner for the Compact publishing his recommendations about the future of the Compact, the agreement on government and third sector relations.

See www.thecompact.org.uk/information/100016/102559/prrecommendations/ or Charity Finance news alert at www.charityfinance.co.uk/home/content.php?id=2428

Rebranding NCVCCO as Children England

Children England is the new name of the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO). News item on the new site (www.childrenengland.org.uk) at www.childrenengland.org.uk/index.php?pageID=398

Role of Social Enterprise in Tackling Worklessness

An interim report from the Tackling Worklessness Review, of the contribution and role of local authorities and partnerships in areas of high unemployment, has been published. Commissioned by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department of Work and Pensions, and co-authored by Social Enterprise Coalition chair, Claire Dove, Social Enterprise magazine reports that the role of social enterprise receives much more than a passing reference.

News item www.socialenterprisemag.co.uk/sem/news/detail/index.asp?id=766 or go direct to the report.

Children and Young People's Mental Health

A New Philanthropy Capital guide for donors and charities working for children and young people with mental health problems gets coverage in Society Guardian. The sector is "small and under-resourced" relative to the scale of the problem and, despite charities filling gaps in statutory provision, 40% of those with a mental disorder do not get any treatment.

News item at www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/dec/03/voluntary-sector-mental-health-children or get the Heads Up report (registration required).

Online Trustee Recruitment Service

Charity Trustee Networks has launched an online service for posting and searching trusteeship vacancies across the UK, trusteefinder www.trusteefinder.org.uk It connects with the national volunteering database Do-It and also has guidance on recruitment and induction.

News item at www.trusteenet.org.uk/news/ctn-launches-new-free-trusteefinder-service

British Standard for Web Accessibility Code

A draft British Standard explains the business case for accessibility, making web content accessible to disabled people. The code of practice includes how to allocate responsibilities within an organisation, the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act, how disabled people use websites, how to choose technologies and how to contract with web developers or vendors of content management systems.

Out-law news item at www.out-law.com/page-9632 or see BSI consultation at drafts.bsigroup.com/?i=245 (runs to 31 January).

Reasons to Beware of Online Services

Nonprofit Online News highlights 'It Died: A Compendium of Services and Companies No Longer Available Online', and reckons this will scare you off ever making your organisation dependent on "no-cost" online services. Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo services all appear in recent entries at http://itdied.com/

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