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CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS back to top
DTA SCOTLAND EVENTS PROGRAMME 2008-2009
We are currently finalising the programme of training events to take place from August 2009 onwards, and this will be publicised shortly.
OTHER EVENTS ACROSS THE SECTOR
MAKING A GOOD APPLICTAION TO THE THIRD SECTOR ENTERPRISE FUND
Date: 14th July (10am to 12 noon)
Loctaion: Glasgow
Firstport are running a session on Making a Good Application to the Enterprise Fund in conjunction with the Scottish Government. This £12 million fund is for enterprising organisations looking to increase their capacity, capability and financial sustainability and offers between £25,000 and £100,000. More information on the Fund can be found on the Scottish Government website. These sessions aim to show you how to apply to the fund and also how to make a good application. They will be held in Edinburgh and Glasgow but Firstport also aim to run them in Inverness and Dundee in the future so if you would be interested in attending one of those please contact Firstport.
For further information or to book a palce, call Firstport on 0131 220 0511 or email Elaine at Firstport
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PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE back to top
Start- Up Toolkit
DTAS has produced a start-up toolkit which is designed to help communities set up their own development trust. See contents. For further information on how to purchase a pack contact aileen@dtascot.org.uk
So You Want To Set Up A Development Trust
DTA has published this useful guide which takes you through some of the steps involved in setting up a development trust. For further information on how to obtain this guide aileen@dtascot.org.uk
Cultivating Enterprise
The next step from "So You want to Set Up a Development Trust" - a DTA pulication to lead you through the various stages of starting up successful development trusts and community enterprises. From "getting the basics right" to "being enterprising" to "do you really make a difference?" This guide can be used in conjuction with the DTAS Start-Up Toolkit.
To purchase this guide aileen@dtascot.org.uk
To Have and To Hold
The DTA guide to asset development for community and social enterprises. Essential reading for any development trust that is considering becoming involved in asset based development. A hard copy can be purchased from DTAS (£10). aileen@dtascot.org.uk or to downlad a PDF version - Click here.
Setting Up a Trading Subsidiary
This guide has been produced for development trusts that are registered charities and are planning to become involved in trading activities that are non-charitable. Written by Stephen Phillips, a specialist in charity law, the guide is designed to to take a development trust through each step of the set-up process and thus avoid the costs of engaging a solicitor. If you would like to obtain a hard copy contact aileen@dtascot.org.uk or Click here to download
Demystifying the use of the term 'Trust'
This guide has been produced in an attempt to pin down more precisely what is and is not a trust in the legal sense of the word, and just as importantly, to explore what legal restrictions, implications, or advantages there are of having the word in an organisation’s name. If you would like to obtain a hard copy contact aileen@dtascot.org.uk Click here to download
Community Share and Bond Issues
This DTA publication provides an introduction to how community organisations can use share and bond issues to raise finance. For further information on how to obtain a copy aileen@dtascot.org.uk
The Green Asset Guide
This DTA guide offers a summary of approaches you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your community building, whether you are looking to develop a new building or improve an existing building. To downlad a copy Click here.
USEFUL INFORMATION
COMMUNITY MATTERS INFO SHEET - TRADING AND COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS'
An information sheet which aims to clarify the types and extent of trading that may be conducted by community associations without infringing their charitabe status or incurring a tax liability. Click here to download
COMMUNITY MATTERS INFO SHEET - COMMUNITY BUILDINGS & TAXATION'
An information sheet telling you something about each of the taxes that may be levied by HM & Revenue and Customs upon those managing community buildings. Click here to download
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NEWS FROM ACROSS THE COMMUNITY SECTOR, JOB VACANCIES, AND FIND A VENUE back to top
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE COMMUNITY SECTOR
Comrie Development Trust secures strategic investment
Congratulations to Comrie Development Trust who have secured investment of £200,000 from the Scottish Investment Fund. Made up of a loan, 'patient capital' and grant funding, the investment will enable CDT to make improvements to Cultybraggan Army Camp, which the Trust already owns, so as to provide a platform for future development. Work will include the creation of 30 allotments, the refurbishment of 9 Nissen Huts and infrastructure work covering water, electricity and sewerage.
Creetown Initiative amongst first to recieve Third Sector funds
Congratulations to Creetown Initiative who recieved an award in the first round of the Scottish Government's Third Sector Enterprise Fund. The Initiative has been offered a grant of £49,880 to develop external revenue generating projects, including a windfarm. This income will support the organisation in its work in regenerating the local area.
Congratulations to Gorebridge Community Development Trust
Gorebridge Community Development Trust (GCDT) has received a grant of £177,011 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Growing Community Assets scheme to design a new £2 million community hub for the Gorebridge Community. The hub will replace the Brown Building, which is currently managed by the Trust, and will include a community café, hall and meeting rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, crèche and will provide accommodation for all groups currently located in the Brown Building and more.
Cordale Housing Association scoops Regeneration Award
25th March 2009
Cordale Housing Association recently received the CIH Scotland Excellence in Regeneration Award from Housing and Communities Minster Alex Neil MSP. The award sponsored by the Scottish Centre for Regeneration, part of the Scottish Government, recognises the invaluable role that housing organisations play in revitalising communities across Scotland by doing much more than providing good quality affordable housing.
In receiving the award Stephen Gibson from Cordale Housing Association said:
"We are obviously delighted to receive the 2008 Regeneration Award along with West Dunbartonshire Council and the Carman Centre. Weve argued for a long time that building houses is only the tip of the iceberg. In order to deliver sustainable regeneration in Scotland and maximise opportunity, housing-led investment must be used as a catalyst for redressing the social and economic development issues that marginalise areas and communities."
Fintry development Trust wins 'Not Stupid' award
21st March 2009
Fintry Development Trust was awarded a 'Not Stupid' award at an awards ceremony organised by Friends of the Earch Scotland and the World Development Movement. The awards co-incided with the release of the Age of Stupid film. Fintry won for its innovative work insulating local homes using profits from its community-owned wind turbine.
Community Pwerdown Powers up!
15th January 2009
27 community groups across Scotland from Shetland to the Borders have just received a massve boost with the announcement of over £1,494,000 from the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund, the largest award to date.
This will result in the creation of 25 new jobs at communtiy level dedicated to a wide range of low carbon community developments including local food allotments and markets, community energy audits using thermal imaging cameras; use of electric vehicles, developing local renewable energy generation, and restoration of old hydro schemes.
'Community Powerdown' is a consortium of 27 community groups established brought together DTA Scotland and Community Energy Scotland to help comunities tackle climate change by reducing their carbon dioxide emissions. This is the the largest Climate Challenge Fund award since its inception in 2008, and highlights the significance of the Powerdown programme.
The Powerdown cosortium will show that it is possible for all communities to develop whilst at the same time reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. CCF funding will allow project officers to be appointed in each community, giving a massive boost to each community's plans. The role that ,b>DTAS and Community Energy Scotland will play in co-ordinating the programme will reduce the admin burden on community groups and enable a real critical mass of networking and information exchange. The information will also be made available to communities outwith the consortium so that the whole community sector will benefit from the expertise and experience built up through the Powerdown programme.
The following community groups are part of the Community Powerdown Consortium:
Ardoch Development Trust
Alness Transition Town
Catrine Community Trust
Eday Partnership
Energy Action Westray
Fair Isle Electricity Company
Glaston Community Trust
Glenelg and Arnisdale Devlopment Trust
Here We Are, Cairndow
Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust
Isle of Jura Development Trust
Kirknewtown Community Company
Knoydart Foundation
Lauderdale Development Trust
Latheron Lybster and Clyth Community Development Company
Lochbroom Community Council
Mull & Iona Community Trust
Neilston Development Trust
Northmavine Community Development Company
The Langholm Initiative
Rousay, Egilsay & Wyre Development Trust
Shapinsay Development Trust
South Kyntyre Development Trust
Stronsay Development Trust
Tiree Development Trust
Unst Partnership
Walkerburn Community Development Trust
JOB VACANCIES
Community Enterprise is seeking a full time Social Enterprise Development Officer. For more information and an application pack, contact Judith Hutchinson on 01506 862227 or e-mail info@communityenterprise.co.uk. The pack is also available on their website www.communityenterprise.co.uk
VENUES FOR HIRE - MEMBERS & OTHER COMMUNITY ORGS
DTAS MEMBERS
COALBURN MINERS WELFARE Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society - One Stop Shop have recently launched a promotional brochure and dvd to advertise their state of the art meeting & conference venue.
It is an exciting new venture to add to the growing list of projects being run and developed by the development trust. For more information www.coalburnmw.org.uk
OUT OF THE BLUE - EDINBURGH
The Out of the Blue Drill Hall is an active arts venue with exhibitions and evening events and a lively café open Mon-Fri 10am-8pm and additional hours to cater for events.
Click here for more info & prices
WELLHOUSE COMMUNITY TRUST - THE HUB - GLASGOW
The Hub can host small conferences, training sessions and any type and size of meeting required. Its state of the art IT Suite is also available to hire. With in house catering and a creche facility available this venue is an ideal venue on the perimeter of Glasgow.
Click here for more info & prices
CASTLEMILk STABLES - CASSILTOUN TRUST, GLASGOW
Castlemilk Stable can host meetings/seminars/training of up to 40 people in it's multipurpose room or smaller board room, an IT state of the art suite with 10 workstations is also availalbe. Catering can be provided, it is close to transport links and has parking on site.
Click here for more info & prices
OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS
LEITH HALLS - EDINBURGH
With a selection of function, conference and meeting rooms on offer, we can cater for any booking from small one-to-one meetings up to events for 150 delegates.
The flexibility of the space available means that the HALLS is an ideal venue to hold seminars, workshops, training days, conferences, performances, receptions and private functions.
Click here for more info & prices
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RENEWABLE ENERGY back to top
1. The work and staff of the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company have now transferred to a new Scottish charity, Community Energy Scotland. Community Energy Scotland’s purpose is to build confidence, resilience and wealth at community level in Scotland through sustainable energy development. They have produced a very good toolkit for communities looking to develop their own renewable energy projects. To download a copy, click here
2. A development trust from Fintry have successfully negotiated the purchase of a single turbine from within a nearby private windfarm development. They want to share their success with other communities by helping them do the same. For more information click here
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LAND REFORM back to top
LAND REFORM (SCOTLAND) ACT: COMMUNTY RIGHT TO BUY It has become evident that Community Bodies are encountering difficulties when attempting to complete applicaition forms to register community interest in land to the satisfaction of Scottish Ministers. In response to this Andy Wightman, one of Scotland's leading authorities on landownership and land reform, has prepared a model application form together with notes to assist with the process. The project was supported by the Carnegie United Kingdon Trust, Hightlands & Islands Enterprise and the Caledonia Centre for Social Development. To download a copy of the form Click here
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DTAS RESPONSES TO SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE CONSULTATIONS back to top
Big Lottery Fund in Scotland
Thanks to those members who took the time to comment on the draft DTAS response to the recent Lottery consultation. On the basis of the responses received the DTAS Board decided to submit two consultation responses – one focusing on the wider policy issues, and one focusing on GCA operational issues. These responses can be downloaded from the members download area of the website.
Disposal of public assets
In 2004 the Scottish Executive carried out a consultation to establish views on the transfer of publicly owned assets into community ownership at less than market value.Click here for DTAS response. In 2007 a second consultation was carried out to gather views on the upper limit to the 'undervalue' (the difference between market and transfer value) above which Ministerial consent must be given. Click here for DTAS response.
Planning Bill- Advice Note on Community Engagement
The new Planning Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent within the the next month. One of the most contentious areas is the removal of the third party right of appeal which means that community input around planning applications in the future will have to be much more proactive in nature than it has been to date. For this reason the current consultation on the proposed Planning Advice Note on Community Engagement which closes on 13th October is important. DTAS plans to submit the following as its formal response on that date. Members are asked either to submit any comments prior to that date or use it to assist in the formulation of their own submission. Click here.
Social Enterprise Strategy for Scotland
The Scottish Excutive has committed itself to a differentiated strategy for the way in which the social enterprise sector is supported and developed over the next few years.Click here for DTAS response.
The establishment of a Coop Development Agency
The Scottish Executive committed itself to the establishment of a coop development agency in Scotland and consulted as to what form it should take and what it should do.Click here for DTAS response.
Scottish Parliament's Enquiry into Rural Development
DTAS asked to speak to the Committee who led this enquiry but were only able to submit a written response.Click here for DTAS response.
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MEMBERS' BENEFITS back to top
• support and advice from DTA Scotland staff
• input to DTAS responses to government policy consultations
• quarterly e-bulletin and briefing from DTAS
• free subscription to two of the most relevant ‘trade journals’ - New Sector (6 editions per annum) New Start (weekly)
• free annual DTA(UK) in-house magazine - Networker
• free access to the Melting Pot – a new social enterprise offering hot-desking and meeting facilities in the heart of Edinburgh
• free advice on annual accounts preparation
This service has been provided by Gregor Clark & Co Chartered Accountants & Auditors. It offers free basic advice on any matters relating accounts preparation. Gregor Clark will also offers discounted rates on reporting and auditing accounts to DTAS members.
Contact details are:
Gregor Clark - 0131 225 2510 or e-mail enquire@gregorclark.co.uk - you will be asked to give your DTAS membership number when contacting them
• free legal advice
Full and provisional members of DTA Scotland are entitled to one hour of free legal advice (per enquiry) on a wide range of matters relevant to development trusts and their activities. This has kindly been made available by our partners Burness LLP. Burness has a strong track record in the legal aspects of development trusts, stretching back over 20 years. They can provide DTAS members with advice on the following areas:
• constitutional issues including memorandum and articles of association and IPS rules
• company law
• charity law and OSCR's policy / practice
• law governing IPS structures and FSA’s policy/ practice
• contracts
• funding/ finance arrangements
• structures for new projects or social enterprises
• community renewables
• property law
• employment law*
• dispute resolution*
*Advice on employment law and dispute resolution is available via a telephone helpline service only. DTAS members will be able to receive a one-off advice session (lasting up to one hour) on any particular employment or dispute resolution matter – any further advice or work relating to the same or a similar matter will be chargeable.
All enquiries must come through DTA Scotland in the first instance - please call one of our Development Officers on 0131 2202456 or e-mail info@datscot.org.uk. If our Development Officers are unable to answer your enquiry, we will pass it on to Burness and one of their solicitors will respond directly to you within 3 working days.
• free VAT advice
This service has been provided by Deloittes and offers free advice on any matters relating to VAT. Each call to the helpline will be free for approximately 15 minutes, after which a recommendation as to a way forward will be made (and a fee quote provided for any further work that is thought necessary). In addition, a free meeting with a VAT specialist is also being offered. This will consist of an initial telephone call to gain some background information on the member’s activities. The meeting will then be held at the member’s premises during which a more detailed discussion can be held as to any VAT implication or opportunities that appear relevant. Advice on the helpline and meetings would be provided by one of the Deloitte staff team who specialise in the provision of VAT advice to DTA members.
Contact points for Deloitte are:
Stuart Savage - 01223 259518 ssavage@deloitte.co.uk (Cambridge)
Gavin Needham - 0113 2921157 gneedham@deloitte.co.uk (Leeds)
• access to members insurance scheme
DTAS members are entitled to preferential rates for all types of insurance by calling Finance ReDirect who are a not for profit financial services company on 0800 652 1211 - have your membership number to hand.
To be sent leaflet contact aileen@dtascot.org.uk
• access to HR advice and materials from EVH (Employers in Voluntary Housing) at discounted rates
• free/discounted access to regional events, training and seminars
• briefing papers on relevant policy topics
• participation and voting rights within DTAS and DTA(UK)
• discounts on DTAS and DTA(UK) publications and training materials
• discounted DTAS annual conference rates and access to bursaries
• ,b>access to the Knowledge & Skills Exchange Fund – grants for visiting or hosting other members or relevant projects
• national and regional campaigning by DTAS for development trusts
• The Pool – opportunity to generate income for your Trust by becoming an associate consultant of The Pool
• access to members area of DTAS and DTA(UK) websites (www.dtascot.org.uk and www.dta.org.uk)
• use of DTA logo
• profile on DTAS website
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