Monday, 14 May 2007

I spent the best part of today preparing WCVS’s new e-mail newsletter. WCVS has been published irregularly, but without a break, since 1974. This is issue 127 and the first to be distributed electronically. Issue 126 had 24 pages and lots of pictures etc. This has been stripped right down to just four pages, there are no pictures and lots of cross references to material on the internet.

Other issues during the day included finalising the payroll run, preparing a note for trustees on source of advice and information, responding to several queries about charitable status, and discussing Compact issues with Andrew Burt at HCC.

Over the past six months, HCC has changed the way it funds HomeStart, the family support charity. I have read and re-read the paperwork on this. The best possible spin that can be put on it is that HCC have made errors before, during and after their review of funding. The end result was a decision taken without warning and behind closed doors.

HCC have rightly won several awards for their Compact work, and Andrew Burt is a great and genuine champion for the Compact. But one or more of his colleagues seems to have taken their eye off the Compact ball. Sometimes things just go awry.

All this helps illustrate the need ultimately for the Compact to have some teeth. I hear much talk of reliance on Public Law, and perhaps this will provide a solution.