The Charity Commission for England and Wales has published its response to the report by the Select Committee on Charities which sets out recommendations for changes for the charity sector including a time limit for serving as a trustee.

The Charities Commission has issued an alert to remind charities that, if something goes wrong in a charity, trustees are accountable and responsible for putting things right. Trustees should therefore assure themselves that their safeguarding practices are robust. The Commission’s recently revised safeguarding strategy makes …

The Charity Commission has amended the content of the annual return for 2018 after consultation with charities. It says the new annual return will make for an easier user experience for charities that it will be more proportionate than in the past, with many charities …

DCMS Secretary of State Matt Hancock noted in his speech that the DCMS ‘review of civil society in the UK, with the objective of publishing a government strategy later this year. We both see this as a major opportunity to set a new direction for …

DHCLG stated in its response that the ‘Call for Evidence has highlighted a number of concerns about the impact of basement developments in certain areas. It has also provided examples of existing and emerging good practice by local authorities in using the existing tools available …

The Department of Communities and Local Government has been renamed the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Sajid Javid MP, now the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said: ‘The name change for the department reflects this government’s renewed focus to …

The Charity Tax group has summarised the EU’s proposed changes to VAT. In addition to keeping a standard VAT rate of minimum 15% the European Commission has proposed that Member States be now able to put in place: two separate reduced rates of between 5% …

This new second edition also replaces the former Historic England advice on views (which was contained in Seeing the History in the View, 2011). The revision aims to clarify the relationship between setting and views, to make clear that the heritage interest in views is …

Housing developers building new homes near music venues, many of which will be in historic buildings, should be responsible for addressing noise issues in a move to protect both music venues and their neighbours, the Housing Secretary has said. The National Planning Policy Framework, will …

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched an inquiry into the social impact of participation in culture and sport. It is expecting to focus on five main themes, taking evidence on social mobility, health, crime reduction, education, community engagement and diversity. The Committee …

Heritage Alliance CEO, Lizzie Glithero- West attended the launch of DEFRA’s 25 Year Plan with the Prime Minister and Michael Gove. The Prime Minister’s speech is here. Following a positive meeting that Loyd and Lizzie held with Michael Gove in autumn the Alliance has been …

The Heritage Lottery Fund [Alliance member] has released more information on its plans for the future, which Chief Executive Ros Kerslake outlined at Heritage Day in December. The HLF is expected to begin consulting next week on how it should use National Lottery Good Causes …