UPDATES

General Updates

CRED Business Support & Evaluation
The CRED Business Support work has received some extra funding to allow it to continue to offer support to CRED projects for a further 3 month period until the end of September, however no further funding is anticipated beyond this date.
As part of the final Business Support to CRED funded projects they will be providing opportunities from Commercial Waste events - highlighting and advising on the opportunities for groups to diversify into commercial waste collections.  Some of these events are still being finalised but they are expected be held in Manchester, Cambridge, London and Bristol during September.  If you would like to know more about these events please contact Frances Robertson.
Frances is also carrying out an evaluation report of the CRED Business Support work, CRED projects will have already received a survey form, which can still be returned for inclusion.   In addition Alice Massey is carrying out some telephone surveys of groups.
There is also going to be an evaluation of the CRED Programme undertaken for the Grants Team at RSWT and the contract for this work has been let.
The team are aware that you may feel rather inundated with surveys, questionnaires etc at a time when you are also trying to complete your CRED project and related returns.  They hope you will bear with them and recognise that your valuable feedback will help them to understand the business support needed now and in the future, it also helps them to lobby potential funders to provide funding streams for community waste projects.  The feedback they have received so far is really useful and Frances would like to thank everyone who has returned their forms for providing so much information. The report on the CRED Business Support evaluation should be available before the end of September.
Contact: Frances Robertson   0117 942 0142: frances@crn.org.uk

CRED Business Support Survey
The evaluation of the Business Support provided by CRN as part of the CRED programme is still taking place.   If you have received a questionnaire and not yet returned it then please do so.   If you made an application to CRED -

successful or otherwise - you should have received a survey form from the CRED Project Assistant Frances Robertson. Frances is very grateful to all those who are taking part, please contact her if you have not received a survey. Tel: 0117 942 0142 or e-mail frances@crn.org.uk .

Charity changes
If you are a charity or wishing to become a charity it is important that you update yourself on the changes presently taking place and planned for the future with regard to charity status and operation.

There are many proposed changes and we would recommend that you carry out some further research to prepare yourselves for those that are likely to have an effect on your organisation. For example from January 2008, after a consultation period during 2007, the 'public benefit' role of ALL charities is to be reviewed. All charities with incomes over £10,000 will be required to submit returns showing the extent of the public benefit they demonstrate.

From January 2008 charities will have the power to pay trustees in very limited circumstances, subject to certain safeguards. From January 2008 Company Limited by Guarantee is to be phased out as the way in which charities become incorporated and replaced by Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIC), existing charities requiring limited liability can convert to a CIC and all new charities will have this structure. These are just a few examples, further reading is highly recommended.

Links to the information you should need are available from this website link which also includes information about charity law reform in Scotland & Northern Ireland:

http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/
law_and_regulation/charities_act_2006/

There are limited hard copy stocks of the guide to the charities phone 0845 015 0010 to order and quote URN 07/Z2

Training delivery changes
Is your organisation delivering training? Major reforms are coming into force from 1 September 2007 and there will be n ew requirements for teachers, trainers, tutors and lecturers. New initial teacher training, requirements for continuing professional development and registration of all teachers, trainers, tutors and lecturers with the Institute for Learning (IfL) are some of the changes to take place.

The White Paper 'Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances' sets out the Government's commitment to have a well qualified and professional workforce across colleges and LSC (Learning Skills Council)-funded providers.

http://www.lifelonglearninguk.org/roadmap/index.html

Compost Doctors programme
The SME Compost Doctors programme is a Defra BREW funded pilot programme that aims to investigate the options for on-site composting of kitchen food waste. The programme received finding in year 2006/07 and has been successful in obtaining further funding for this year to continue monitoring the amounts of food waste composted on the projects.

The Compost Doctors advise on and assist in installing composting equipment in the grounds of catering establishments. They are working with these establishments to support the staff in setting up kitchen procedures to facilitate the separation of food waste. Having set up, staff are then trained in using the composting system and are supported by the Compost Doctor.

Contact Lizzy info@crn.org.uk .

Every Action Counts
Inspired by the CRN Conference - Community Recycling in a Changing Climate?

Take some easy steps to make your organisation more environmentally sustainable by registering on to the Every Action Counts website and getting loads of useful hints and tips on all aspects of 'greening your organisation'. Including saving energy, travelling wisely, shopping ethically and caring for your area.

Register at www.everyactioncounts.org.uk and click on to the Community Groups button to find out more.