For those working in the third sector, and for us all, the Brexit outcome creates some profound uncertainties, and tells us some difficult truths. There are also immediate practical implications.
Leadership
Many of you will rightly be concerned about the impact on your communities and those you work with, and dealing with the degree of fracture and alienation in our national life. As Stuart Etherington said on Friday 24th June, “the voluntary sector is needed now more than ever” (found here).
We are already seeing some worrying changes of mood in our own cities and neighbourhoods, with disturbing attacks on community centres used by EU nationals, for example. We all need to focus on maintaining and growing relationships of trust wherever we are, and our third-sector and faith-based clients will be central to this process in their communities.
Devaluations
The devaluation of currency and other assets is already being faced by overseas development charities and other organisations with substantial overseas activities. It will also impact on organisations involved in building schemes, particularly community-led housing. There may also be indirect impact if, for example, there is an increase in borrowing for the public sector from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) – we have a number of clients from the community sector developing schemes, working with their local authority, which are part funded by the PWLB. Costs of these schemes may increase to the point where they are no longer viable. Finally, charities with legacy defined benefit pension schemes may face increasingly problematic deficits as markets fall and investment income reduces.
Change of sentiment
There may well be an impact on funding. Many charities are funded directly or indirectly from European sources, and a number of programmes or projects starting now will have funding terms that go beyond the likely date of the Brexit. Just for example, the Building Better Opportunities Fund - a European Social Fund backed programme run by the Big Lottery Fund, is timetabled to run until 2020. Whether it will or not is another matter entirely.
Government policy change
If there is indeed a shift in policy, it is likely to be a shift to a more right-wing agenda, given the position of much of the “leave” camp. We have already seen the indirect impacts of public sector reforms on charities supporting the poorest in our society. Currently the policy position is very unclear, and we will all need to watch carefully as events unfold.
We have submitted our response to the White Paper Consultation based on the discussion held at the “Planning for the Future - what does this mean for affordable housing” webinar we held on Fri 9 Oct
Anthony Collins Solicitors is pleased to have been ranked as a Band 1 firm once again.
Since March 2020, commercial property owners and occupiers across many sectors, whether housing associations, charities, care providers or local authorities, have been impacted by the rules regulating how they deal with their tenants and their landlords. It seems each week there is a change in policy, regulation or legislation, governing how they must respond.
A key element of the Bill is the establishment of a duty holder regime and requirement to maintain the ‘golden thread of information’ throughout the life cycle of high-risk residential buildings
We have been working with care homes to update their contracts and advise on the risks of charging the resident a regular “top-up” or additional fee where a resident is funded through NHS CHC
The parliamentary processes are complete and the Restriction of Public Exit Payments Regulations 2020 (“the Regulations”) which cap exit payments in the public sector at £95,000 will be in force from 4 November.
As the UK’s social housing sector recovers from the initial Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown, now is the time to focus on the challenges that may emerge next.
There is no universal approach to regenerating town centres. However, housing must be considered a key part of any regeneration project – providing well-needed new homes and economic growth.
Friday 16 October marks the 6th annual Wear Red Day in England, Wales and Scotland. Wear Red Day is the brainchild of the charity; Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC). SRTRC aims to educate young people so they are equipped to recognise and challenge stereotypes, misconceptions and negative attitudes towards race.
Alongside the Building Safety Bill published in July 2020, the Fire Safety Bill is a key step in the Government’s strategy to improve building and fire safety in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy
To receive invitations to our events, as well as information and articles on legal issues and sector developments that are of interest to you, please sign up to Newsroom.