Landmark Chambers’ Post

💡Keir Starmer has outlined a framework to enable a closer relationship between the government and Civil Society. The prime minister detailed his plans at the Labour and Civil Society Summit. This Civil Society Covenant has four key principles 1. Transparency 2. Recognition 3. Participation 4. Partnership The covenant agreement will launch in the New Year following a consultation process with people and organisations from across the Third Sector. “By harnessing the dynamism, innovation and trusted reach of civil society organisations, we can boost growth and deliver better outcomes for communities right across the country.” The government are keen to address the barriers to meaningful partnership: a topic which has often featured in our roundtable discussions with civil society leaders and philanthropists. Read about reactions from the sector here: https://lnkd.in/e35VQKkn And view the covenant framework here: https://lnkd.in/eVFTakqa

Public Footpaths! They are far the most contentious issue in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. This is probably a surprise to most but not to landowners, farmers and even a few unlucky domestic property owners. I admire the BBC for getting the balance right in their journalism but on this occasion they have got the balance wrong. 8,000 outstanding requests means at least(!) 8,000 landowners who do not know if there is a public right of way crossing their land, garden or even through their house. Imagine trying to sell your land or plan for the future not knowing if the public has a right to cross your field. No business can afford to invest or grow without certainty about what is around the corner. Without legislative reform, the effected landowners are left in limbo with more and more applications being submitted each week. Changes to the current system were prepared in 2000 but have never been brought into law. Local authorities have been with a system and process which was never intended for the use to which it is now being put and which cannot cope with the volume of applications it receives. Wilkin Chapman Solicitors Rhonda Thompson Andy Guy NFU (National Farmers' Union) BBC News https://lnkd.in/eg8rDA88

With a week to go, we're seeing some interesting moves in the race for Commissioner of Public Lands, some last-minute spending by a PAC called People Against Extremism, and a dive into keeping affordable housing, well, affordable. #washingtonstate #localpolitics #november5

Did you know that there's a looming deadline in Wales and England, for 2031, at which point thousands of miles of footpaths and public rights of way will be extinguished, possibly for good? There are more than 8,000 current requests for existing paths and bridleways to be added to the official PRoW map - some of those requests happened before I was born and are still (!!!) not processed. These are not path grabs by greedy trespassers, but a legal process for acknowledging and protecting historic rights of way which have for centuries been the lifeblood of our communities. That legal process is dead in the water. Years ago, the Welsh Government pledged to remove this arbitrary and potentially disastrous deadline but to my knowledge it hasn't actually been done - typical of their "we'll get round to it" historic attitude towards access. On the other hand, last year the Westminster Government bowed to landowner pressures and u-turned on abolishing the deadline with the excuse that it will 'bring certainty to all parties'. Certainty of a vast loss is a type of certainty I guess. With reports last year of 32,000 blockages to existing rights of way, the condition of our paths and trails should now be seen as an urgent matter for both governments. Blaming the processing delays on councils is an abdication of responsibility. The British Mountaineering Council Right to Roam Open Spaces Society #PRoWs Ramblers Cymru The Ramblers #paths

Funeral Costs in New South Wales Planning a funeral is an emotional and complex process, and understanding the associated costs in New South Wales (NSW) can help in making informed decisions during a difficult time. Funeral expenses can vary depending on the type of service chosen, specific requirements, and additional services like memorials or wakes. Understanding funeral costs in NSW can help families prepare and make thoughtful decisions during an emotional time. https://lnkd.in/gRGecUuf #cowransw #aufuneral #ezifunerals

Good summary of Scottish succession rules

So what exactly does a civic group do for the community? Here is a spotlight of what port Richmond North Shore Alliance does for the community and the North Shore.

The changes to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) announced as part of the Spring Budget came into effect on 6 April 2024. The income threshold at which HICBC starts to be charged has been increased from £50,000 to £60,000. #HICBC #HighIncomeChildBenefitCharge

...When you deal with a Urban Housing Agency, souls will be entering the lottery of a "room empty=any soul just about" as most housing are renovated hotels etc., IE: stacked... ...Via Guidestar.org 1 such Oakland SRO in 11 years has had "8" fire incidents as only Fire Department can turn off fire sprinklers within a unit so the water damage, big ka-ching for a Restoration Business as with crew, mid-6 figures... ...Adjacent or rooms below take the hit so tenants either relocated or have to deal with damage within as Non-Profit nor person who caused fire liable as tenants told have to get insurance otherwise... ...Catch-22, tenants can't afford it since living in a SRO due to on fixed income of some type as tenants hit the jackpot if on the upper floor of any of these places!, if bottom floor, facing alley, gas station, garbage bins, not so much...

You may have heard that the Government is currently developing a framework to reset its relationship with civil society organisations. The Civil Society Covenant Framework is a new agreement which is designed to: • support collaboration between civil society organisations and government, and protect the independence of civil society organisations • ensure respect for the different roles played by government and civil society • support all public bodies and civil society organisations. NCVO are coordinating the engagement process for the Covenant and its draft principles. The engagement process is targeted specifically towards representatives of civil society organisations, which includes charities, community groups, social enterprises, cooperatives, trusts, foundations and other charitable funding bodies. VCSE Sector organisations are therefore encouraged to share their thoughts on the draft principles via the online feedback form. This is an important and valuable opportunity to shape the final version of the Covenant Framework, and ensure this helps to support and create a more sustainable and effective VCSE sector and relationship with all levels of government. Please note that the deadline for feedback to be provided through the online form is midday on Thursday 12th December 2024. You can find more information about the Civil Society Covenant Framework via the link below. https://lnkd.in/eySpBjXT