East Lothian Third Sector Update 18/11/2022
LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
SERVICE UPDATES
FUNDING
TRAINING & EVENT
LOCAL & NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
UK Government Autumn Statement: The key points in the Chancellor’s statement were:
UK national living wage for people over 23 to increase from £9.50 to £10.42 an hour from next April
State pension payments and means-tested and disability benefits to increase by 10.1%, in line with inflation
Top 45% additional rate of income tax will be paid on earnings over £125,140, instead of £150,000
Income tax personal allowance and higher rate thresholds frozen for further two years, until April 2028
Main National Insurance and inheritance tax thresholds also frozen for further two years, until April 2028
Tax-free allowances for dividend and capital gains tax also due to be cut next year and in 2024
Household energy price cap extended for one year beyond April but made less generous, with typical bills capped at £3,000 a year instead of £2,500
Households on means-tested benefits will get £900 support payments next year
£300 payments to pensioner households, and £150 for individuals on disability benefit
Windfall tax on profits of oil and gas firms increased from 25% to 35% and extended until March 2028
New "temporary" 45% tax on companies that generate electricity, to apply from January
UK's inflation rate predicted to be 9.1% this year and 7.4% next year BBC SUMMARY FULL STATEMENT
Charities Bill Published: Legislation to update and strengthen existing charity law has been published. The Charities (Regulation and Administration) Bill aims to increase transparency and accountability and improves the powers of the Office of Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). As part of the proposals OSCR will: publish annual accounts for every charity; include the names of all charity trustees in the Scottish Charity Register; be able to remove charities that fail to provide accounts and don’t respond to OSCR’s communications; create a publicly searchable record of removed charity trustees. The legislation will also give OSCR new powers to issue positive directions to a charity to take action, such as managing a conflict of interest, where a risk has been identified by the regulator. MORE INFO
Community Planning: The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee has recently launched an inquiry into Community Planning, and would welcome your views. The inquiry forms part of the Committee’s scrutiny of the Community Empowerment Act 2015. In particular the inquiry is exploring what impact Part 2 of the Act has had on Community Planning, and how Community Planning Partnerships respond to significant events such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis. They want to hear from organisations directly involved in Community Planning Partnerships as well as communities and individuals about the impact the Partnerships have had. There are two different surveys which are both live until 30th December 2022. The first call for views is aimed at members of Community Planning Partnerships (organisations or individuals) and asks a number of detailed questions about how the partnerships operate. The second survey is shorter and is aimed at other organisations or individuals who have an interest in community planning. You are welcome though to complete either survey. Please find a link to the call for views here: Community planning inquiry - Scottish Parliament - Citizen Space
SERVICE UPDATES
CHSS Advert - Community Support Coordinator Lothian
Salary: £21,836 (pro rata), Location: Home Based, Hours: 32.5 hours per week
This role is focused on making sure that people affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions get the help they need and get back to doing the things that matter to them.
Closing Date: 5th December 2022
ADVERT
CAPS Independent Advocacy is recruiting for a Personnel and Administration Officer
24 hours a week (part time), Salary: £25,027- £27,702 per annum FTE. Starting salary £16,570
A unique opportunity has arisen to join CAPS Independent Advocacy in the key role of Personnel and Administration Officer. You will have responsibility for the important functions of Personnel, Health and Safety and IT along with some office administration and finance tasks. You will be joining a friendly and dynamic team in a growing mental health charity.
Closing Date: 5th December 2022 (12 noon)
https://capsadvocacy.org/news/personnel-and-administration-officer/
Capital Credit Union
If you need to borrow, expensive high street lenders are not your only option. With Capital Credit Union, you can borrow from £50 up to £25,000 and benefit from no fees and competitive rates. Their ethical approach ensures that borrowing is a carefully thought out process built around your affordability. Visit us at the Volunteer Centre on Fridays to chat to Senior Loans Officer, Chris, who’ll be happy to help you.
FUNDING
easyfundraising
If your community organisation is looking for an easy and efficient way to raise some additional funds, take a look at easyfundraising. Through this free to use fundraising platform, leading brands like Sainsbury’s, Amazon, M&S, Trainline, Tesco and 7,000 others will give a monetary donation to your community organisation when your volunteers, staff and supporters shop with them. It’s very straightforward and completely free – find out more here www.easyfundraising.org.uk/east-lothian
East Lothian Friendly Food Fund
The food fund is available to community groups and organisations who are members of the network and wish to introduce or develop existing food support to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
Deadline: 28th November 2022
https://www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk/latest-news/east-lothian-friendly-food-fund
One Council Partnership Fund - Grants for Communities
Fund is now open for submissions.
Deadline: 2nd December 2022
https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210623/funding/12403/one_council_partnership_fund
TRAINING & EVENTS
16 Days of Activism
16 days is an annual international campaign which starts on the 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. From Global to Local, there will be a series of events and media communications in East Lothian and Midlothian to raise awareness of the issues and seek commitment to action to tackling violence against women. CALENDAR
Accelerate Information Session
Are you a third sector or community group in East Lothian who would like support to become more sustainable? We have teamed up with Community Enterprise to offer you the chance to come along to a webinar and find out more about their Accelerate programme.
When: Thursday, 24th November 2022 (2pm to 3pm)
Where: Online
Register: tracey@volunteereastlothian.org.uk
FLYER | WEBSITE
CAPS AGM 2022!
Please join us for lunch in sunny Musselburgh at 1pm followed by the main event at 2pm.
It’s a chance to network with colleagues and CAPS members and you’ll meet the many new members of staff who will be leading our growing projects.Everyone is welcome – email catherine@capsadvocacy.org to register.
When: 2nd December 2022 (1pm to 4pm)
Where: Fisherrow Community Centre, South Street, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6AT
https://capsadvocacy.org/events/caps-independent-advocacy-agm-2022/
Info Session: Community Benefit Gateway for Third Sector Organisations
The Community Benefit Gateway is a free and easy to use online service that connects NHSScotland suppliers with third sector community organisations across Scotland.
When: 6th December 2022 (12:00 – 13:00)
Where: Online
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/info-session-community-benefit-gateway-for-third-sector-organisations-tickets-460805520717
Cut Your Energy Costs Webiner - 7th December
free Webinar in partnership with the Ethical Property Foundation “Cut Your Energy Costs and Run Green Energy – Efficient Premises” FLYER If you would like to book a space, please reply to crt.hub@coalfields-regen.org.uk
