North Lanarkshire Voluntary Sector Partnership Group

North Lanarkshire Voluntary Sector Conference 2015 scheduled for Tuesday 2 June 2015 at Jim Foley Centre, Craigneuk

Hosted by VANL on behalf of the local Voluntary Sector Partnership Group

Opportunity for organisations to network and discuss key sectoral issues

Theme of ‘Valuing the Voluntary Sector’

Contact VANL on 01236 748011 or e-mail info@vanl.co.uk to book places

Four year ‘Change Plan’ period of Reshaping Care for Older People concludes in March 2015

Health and Social Care Integration agenda commences in April 2015

Investment in Community Capacity Building and Carer Support continued

Locality Partnership Development Programme and Thematic leads re-defined to focus on Integration

Voluntary Sector Children and Families Network operational as sub-group of Voluntary Sector Partnership Group

VANL Early Years Development Officer supporting local organisations to link to Early Years Collaborative

Approach approved for voluntary sector in two locality areas to support children and families affected by drug or alcohol misuse in 2015-16

Contact VANL on 01236 748011 for further or direction to relevant staff member

Successful Third Sector Employability Network meets quarterly with new membership welcomed

Network has produced a comprehensive report responding to new North Lanarkshire Employability Strategy

Report details how voluntary sector can contribute to partnership employability objectives over coming period

Contact Michelle Thomson at VANL on 01236 748011 for further information

Voluntary Action Scotland release report ‘Finding Local Solutions to National Issues’

Explores impacts of welfare reform and role for voluntary sector in alleviating the negative impacts for those affected

Crucial role for Third Sector Interfaces in being a conduit for voluntary sector

Full report can be downloaded from Voluntary Action Scotland website at www.vascotland.org

Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill explores new ways for communities to take ownership and do things for themselves

Bill is expected to be given Royal Assent in 2015 following period of consultation

Includes new legislation on how communities take on land and buildings

Proposals for increased community involvement in Community Planning

Briefing available at www.vascotland.org/ news/community-empowerment-bill-briefing

Volunteers’ Week takes place from 1-7 June 2015

UK’s annual national week for celebrating, recognising and rewarding the contribution of people who volunteer

Estimated 74% of adults in North Lanarkshire volunteer informally at least once each year

Contact VANL on 01698 358866 for details of local festivities being organised for Volunteers’ Week 2015

Legislation commenced in 2012 obliging UK employers to enrol all staff for pensions

Introduced on phased basis between 2012-2018 (largest companies first)

Period for employers with 49 or less staff auto enrolling is 1 June 2015 to 1 April 2018 (with various staging dates)

Cost implication for local voluntary sector organisations recognised by local Voluntary Sector Partnership Group

Francis Fallan MBE awarded honorary v lifetime presidency of VANL on his retirement from Board of Directors

Francis was a founding member and Chair of VANL over a six year period

Special presentation made to Francis at VANL Annual General Meeting of Friday 20 February 2015

June Vallance has been appointed as new Chair of VANL

Poverty, social exclusion and economic transition identified as key areas sector can contribute to

SCVO submitted response to advocate for maximum third sector delivery elements

Applications open for a new Scottish Government scheme to help charities with payment of water and sewerage charges

Open to registered charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs

Organisations with income of less than £200,000 no longer need to pay water or sewerage charges and reduced rate for groups earning less than £300,000

Visit www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business- Industry/waterindustryscot/watercharges for further information