At Budget 2018, the Government announced it would publish a call for evidence on the Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR).

The aim is to enable the Government to understand how the SITR has been used since it was introduced in 2014. The Government wants to know the levels of take-up and what impact it has had on social enterprises’ access to finance. The SITR has a sunset clause, which will bring the scheme to an end in April 2021. This call for evidence will help inform a decision about the future of the relief.

Closing date: 17 July 2019

The Government legislated for a cap of £95,000 on exit payments in the public sector in the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 as amended by the Enterprise Act 2016. The 2015 act sets out the duty to implement the cap through secondary legislation.

This consultation sets out the proposed draft regulations, schedule to the regulations, accompanying guidance and directions. The government welcomes comments on the draft regulations.

Closing date: 3 July 2019

The Online Harms White Paper sets out the Government’s plans for a package of online safety measures. The package is made up of legislative and non-legislative measures. It will make companies more responsible for their users’ safety online, especially children and other vulnerable groups.

Responses from organisations, companies and others with relevant views, insights or evidence are particularly encouraged.

Closing date: 1 July 2019

In February 2019, BDCVS was awarded Trustee Board of the Year.

We are a bold, passionate, and innovative group of individuals. Eager to campaign for equality and equity within the not-for-profit sector in Barking and Dagenham.

Faced with some enormous challenges for the local community and voluntary sector, ours is a "can do, must do" organisation. We are focused on capacity building the dreams of our members.

We are now looking for additional trustees to join us on the next stage of our journey.

A recent skills audit as identified that we need the following skills and expertise:

Operational skills

1. Financial Investment Management
2. Property Management
3. Pay awards and remuneration

Thematic skills

1. Health and Social Care
2. Children and Young People
3. Regeneration
4. Environment
5. Public Policy and Social Justice
6. Education

The time commitment currently required for the role is the equivalent to two days per month. This includes attending at least one day-time meeting a month for 2–3 hours

BDCVS welcomes applicants from individuals with the ability and availability to commit as above.

Apply online via our recruitment page on the Charity Job website or download the application form here.

For further information or an informal discussion please contact our Chair, Rita Chadha, rita.chadha@bdcvs.org.uk or by phone 07714 774 569.

The aim of this call for evidence is to help the Government to understand the true scale of the issue of violence and abuse toward shop staff. It is looking at the measures which may help prevent these crimes. It will examine the extent to which existing legislation is being used to tackle them. It will help to identify examples of best practice.

Closing date: 28 June 2019

This consultation is about establishing a local authority registration system for children who do not attend state-funded or registered independent schools.

Closing date: 24 June 2019

The Home Office is seeking views on options to support a multi-agency approach to preventing and tackling serious violence.

They would like to hear from:

• Those with expertise in working with young people at risk of criminal involvement and/or re-offending or victimisation
• Those involved in law enforcement
• The communities affected by serious violence

This includes relevant professionals, such as those working in:

• Social care
• Education
• Law enforcement
• Local government
• Community safety
• Youth services
• Offender management
• Public health and healthcare

They would value responses from the Voluntary Sector.

Closing date: 28 May 2019

BDCVS is proud to announce four new grants programmes for 2019–2010.

1. BDCVS Avenues Trust — Grants for organisations working with older people
2. BDCVS Avenues Trust — Grants for older people in need (please contact us directly for an application form)
3. Barking and Dagenham Enabling Equality — Grants for not-for-profit organisations addressing inequality in relation to the Borough Manifesto
4. BDCVS Venue Hire Subsidy — grant subsidies for organisations wishing to hire the Ripple Centre

We are pleased to announce a special grant programme for St George's Day — St George's Day Together. These are grants up to £500 for ward-based activities. St George's Day Together is funded jointly by BDCVS and Barking & Dagenham Council.

Applications for all grants are now open here.

We are using The Good Exchange platform to manage applications. The platform is free for groups to use. Here are some advantages for you in using it.

• You only need to complete one application for all grant programmes.
• You can integrate fundraising from other funders, donors and supporters. This means you can use one system for all your main fundraising.
• It allows you to see, in real time, how much funding is left and what you can apply for.

We believe that, used properly, this platform could be of real value to organisations. The Good Exchange has been invited to a Commission Watch meeting. They will talk about how not-for-profit organisations can use the platform and how to get the most out of it.

BDCVS will be working with The Good Exchange to continue to identify improvements to the system. Please do let us know what you think, as you use it!

Please send any feedback you think could help to improve the process of applying for funding to info@bdcvs.org.uk.

The Government is seeking views on the principles to guide their review of post-16 qualifications, at Level 3 and below.

This is the review’s first stage. It is for post-16 Level 3 and below qualifications excluding T Levels, A Levels and GCSEs. It asks for views on the high-level principles and outlines proposals for the removal of funding approval for unreformed qualifications.

The consultation is running for 12 weeks.

The response to this consultation and second stage of the review will follow later in 2019.

Closing date: 10 June 2019

The Government wants your views on reducing children's exposure to advertising for products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). They are looking at advertising on television and online.

Deadline: 10 June 2019