James Blake’s Post

Like many Charity CEO's my Monday morning thoughts tend to be preoccupied with funding and where we find the money to keep making a difference to the lives of those we exist to serve; in my case, those affected by sexual violence and abuse.. Last week the Budget proposed some fantastic measures and after chronic underfunding, investment in the public services that keep us alive, well, and flourishing is most definitely welcome. However the Budget does create big challenges for charities and social enterprises. At Savana funding is increasingly difficult to secure and we are faced with a triple threat of higher costs, reduced income and increasing demand. We are still dealing with the aftermath of Covid, high inflation, the cost of living and energy crises, and we await news from Ministry of Justice UK on the future of the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF) to determine whether we will be able to offer some of our core services beyond the end of March. The proposed changes to National Insurance and minimum wage rates will cost us an additional £23,000 a year. This is money we just don't have and we can not continue to do more with even less. It is therefore essential that the Government consider making Charities exempt from the proposed changes, in the same way that they have for public services. The Prime Minister has stated that he is making it a priority to reset the relationship with civil society and build a new partnership that can harness our full potential to rebuild our country. He said that he wants a "relationship that recognises all that civil society does for us - at home and abroad - and aims to realise the enormous potential that exists in organisations like our charities and community groups". That recognition must start by acknowledging (and relieving) the burden that the proposed changes will place on small charities like Savana, limiting our impact and making it harder for us to 'Break the Silence' around Sexual Violence and create the change needed in order to meet the governments own objectives to reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) by 50% within 10 years.

Absolutely echo Jane Ide OBE HonDUniv response... Some positive announcements, some announcements that aren't as positive as they sound (cold comfort) and some absolutely petrifying things for the VCSE. Lots of very very worried leaders. I don't know anyone who doesn't want to see their valued staff earn more. They deserve it. Many are disproportionately low paid for the skills and experience they bring. The VCSE should not exist on good will. We need to attract and retain amazing people to deliver our work. BUT as employers, for the VCSE, these increases come on top of: - decreases in statutory funding (actual cuts or freezes) - rising costs - a nightmare fundraising market - massive increases in demand - reserves wearing thin (or non existent) We know VCSE services and organisations, locally and nationally, are shutting at a time when people and communities need us. Whilst there are some very positive noises from the new government about resetting its relationship with the sector, about the value the VCSE brings... the desperation now felt amongst so many VCSE leaders is palpable and the options we have are dwindling quickly.

The October edition of Insight is published just in advance of the #IRRV’s Annual Conference and Exhibition taking place 8, 9 & 10 October 24 #IRRVAnnual2024. Another feature of the event to be held at the Telford International Conference Centre is a celebration of success for those entered in the IRRV Performance Awards 2024.   If you have not booked your ticket – there is still time; BOOK HERE ! https://lnkd.in/eedpduXNthe programme includes three separate streams covering Local Taxation & Revenues, Rating & Valuation and Welfare Benefits (including Housing Benefit).   In this edition we feature the transition from a very busy year for Nick Rowe, IRRV President 2023/24, and include the final update for his year, featuring images from his term as National President. Our cover story introduces incoming President for 2024/25 Simon Green. Our usual content covers a range of news items and regular articles including Viewpoint – Devil will be in the detail, Credit Notes – Changing of the Guard and Valuation Matters covering various aspects from the profession of interest to #IRRV Members and practitioners alike. We also include in this edition:   Technology – Delays in postage and the decline in standards Business Rates and the Bar - Occupation, purpose and trust in a set of chambers by Daniel Pearce Collection & Enforcement - Council Tax collection from vulnerable taxpayers – time for reform? Avoidance Update - Which schemes have stood the test of time? by Alex Worthington Policy in Practice - Using data to identify those who are missing out   With significant change anticipated with the Budget at the end of the month and other policy being trailed Insight continues to highlight and provide members the most up-to-date views and comment.   Enjoy the read and we hope to see you in Telford !

What does the future hold for UK businesses? As the budget loomed, Steve Frankham. MBE ., Chairman of Frankham Group, shared his reflections on the potential challenges ahead. Having now digested the implications of the government’s budget, the Frankham Group has taken action by writing directly to the Prime Minister to voice our concerns and share recommendations for the future of UK businesses. As an SME, we proudly represent the backbone of national employment and growth across the country. However, the increase in National Insurance contributions, coupled with the changes to thresholds, is limiting our ability to invest in our staff and create new job opportunities. These pressures will inevitably lead to increased costs being passed on to our public sector clients, including the NHS. That said, we remain committed to finding innovative solutions that prioritise investment in our people and delivering value and excellence for our public sector partners. Here are some key points from the letter.

I have had a lot of feedback on the open letter to the PM in the Herald and the ODT today. The link to the ODT version is below. I understand readers pick up different things but what I was hoping to address was: 1: this was not about Dunedin or Otago - it was about an escalating issue we are facing right across the country in building the hospitals we will undeniably need for the future. 2: we need to prioritise, as a country, how we actually meet the real costs of what it takes to build those hospitals. 3: we need to find a better way of meeting those costs - and equally important - how we calculate what those costs are. The current ever changing budgets happening behind closed doors is simply unacceptable. There does need to be real accountability but it also needs to be transparent. 4: if we the tax payers can't afford to meet the full cost of an agreed level of facility then we need to look at other ways to meet the cost - not simply cut costs and build something that doesn't work for those at the cliff face. 5: then there is the question of priorities. The tax cuts that gave me, earning more than $100,000 a year, owns a house, children gone, and old enough to collect super, an additional $40 a fortnight when so many of the people sitting in A&E are there because they can't afford to pay a doctor and got a couple of dollars a fortnight from the cuts. Do we need to refocus our immediate priorities while we fix what is broken. 6: and then there is looking for other ways to do this - public private partnerships like Royal Adelaide. The cool thing about that example is we know there were mistakes made but we can learn from them. The most important lesson is that the people of Adelaide have a state of the art hospital which is given back to them in 40 years time. 7: finally - let's talk transparently and constructively with the people in the region the hospital is being built for. Maybe I am being overly simplistic but if the government believes this hospital is going to cost $3 billion now why don't you give us $1.5 billion and let us work out how we build what we need - including the option of working with the private sector (like Ngai Tahu perhaps) to find a way to do it. Remove the bureaucrats who have spent millions on consultants and let us get this done. I don't know the exact number - but the ODT noted that so far only $50 million of the spend has gone into the physical side of this build. And I think that might even include buying the land. Where is the rest??? I write these pieces in the hope that we can all step back - and in the spirit of Talanoa - talk and listen with respect - no matter our view at the start of the korero. ps - I did use the line "penny pinching" - that's something I would have changed because I fully appreciate that this is not about pennies - I apologise for that oversight - but it was 5:00 am in the morning when I wrote it https://lnkd.in/gAcjRy-N

Malo lava Sir Ian Taylor - this level of clarity is engaging and encouraging - laying out facts and sentiments that are important to comunities in Aorearoa. Tautoko your guidance & common sense!

PM Christopher Luxon revealed as a rorting hypocrite. Are we surprised? This man’s taxpayer-funded job pays a salary of $471,000 plus numerous perks e.g. travel. You’d think that would be plenty to live on and a fat six-figures to spare. Yet our chief belt-tightening advocate is claiming another $52,000 as a living allowance, while living in his own mortgage-free apartment. How can it possibly cost $1,000 per week for upkeep? With a strong and much repeated campaign focus on chopping wasteful government spending, and several cost-saving measures ehacted that will affect all but the wealthiest among us, this news in my view destroys the PMs credibility. The first trait of a respected leader is to set by example the values he/she expects others to follow. If you and budget axe-wielding colleagues are serious about curbing wasteful spending of taxpayer’s’ money why not have an inquiry into hpw MP expense claims are used, and how much is justified by actual costs? If Parliament was a business, all expense claims would need receipts to justify the claim. What we appear to have is our top political leader who should be above rebuke for integrity, behaving like it’s pigs in a trough. Own goal Mr Luxon, and shame on you, showing such cynical disregard for the concerns of ordinary NZ-ers. #privilege #pigsinatrough P.S. Now he’s been publicly called out he switched, very fast. If that call hadn’t been made what would have happened?

https://lnkd.in/gbNEZ7sX I fully agree. The financial struggles of councils show the urgent need for reform. Local councils must get the resources and support they need as people are relying on those services! Article ‘For local government leaders of all political colours and across the length and breadth of the nation, it is simply imperative that Sir Keir Starmer’s new government takes serious action during this parliament to redress the balance — or risk more councils going to the way of Birmingham and the axe falling on yet more vital, if often under-appreciated, frontline services’ Article ‘For local government leaders of all political colours and across the length and breadth of the nation, it is simply imperative that Sir Keir Starmer’s new government takes serious action during this parliament to redress the balance — or risk more councils going to the way of Birmingham and the axe falling on yet more vital, if often under-appreciated, frontline services’

Claiming benefits can be a complex and frustrating process. We have produced a useful guide which lists potential benefits that you are entitled to claim if you have #NF, or if you are unable to work due to NF. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/e-vbjiF9 and also check out our Cost of Living Support: https://lnkd.in/eFAgfXEU #Benefits #NFSupport #UniversalCredit #PIP