Those working for voluntary and community organisations are being invited to have their say on how the government and the third sector work together, it has been revealed.

On September 9th, a one-day conference will take place in Birmingham which will canvass opinions on how the Compact - the framework promoting partnership working between the government and voluntary and community sector - operates.

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The environmental services provided by those working for one public sector body have been praised, it has emerged.

In a report by the Audit Commission, North Hertfordshire district council was reported as being "good" in terms of dealing with incidents of ‘envirocrime’ - such as littering, fly tipping, graffiti and abandoned vehicles.

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Those working for voluntary and community organisations are being invited to have their say on how the government and the third sector work together, it has been revealed.

On September 9th, a one-day conference will take place in Birmingham which will canvass opinions on how the Compact - the framework promoting partnership working between the government and voluntary and community sector - operates.

Sir Bert Massie, commissioner for the Compact, said: "When the debate reaches its end - and there is some consensus on a way forward - the government will carry out a formal impact assessment of the proposals and undertake a full public consultation."

The news comes after it was revealed that The Commission for the Compact had published a discussion document asking a number of questions about how the framework operates and ways in which it can be improved.

Such news may be of interest to those looking to improve the skills framework of the third sector organisation they work for.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action had launched a new survey tracking the ways in which the third sector interacts with politicians.

More skills framework information.

The environmental services provided by those working for one public sector body have been praised, it has emerged.

In a report by the Audit Commission, North Hertfordshire district council was reported as being "good" in terms of dealing with incidents of ”envirocrime” - such as littering, fly tipping, graffiti and abandoned vehicles.

As such the local authority was given two stars out of a possible three and was reported to have "promising prospects" for achieving future improvements.

Gary Hammersley, senior manager for the Audit Commission, said: "Envirocrime incidents such as graffiti and fly-tipping can have a disproportionate impact on the quality of life and fear of crime for local people."

It was also revealed that the council was working well with network partners to lower levels of envirocrime and received praise for providing facilities for younger people.

Earlier this year Hull city council was praised by the Audit Commission for cutting levels of environmental crime such as fly-posting.

More about network partners.

Those working for charities which support conservation and biodiversity are being invited to apply for financial assistance, it has been revealed.

GrantScape is to offer a total of £1.7 million for those projects which look to improve the quality of life for plants and animals, in addition to the ecosystems which they are a part of.

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