It was very good to see so many of you at the AGM. Thank you for your input to our manifesto discussion session. Callum is planning a future policy breakfast in Aberdeen, see date below. As Peter Holbrook SEC UK CEO pointed out, the UK Government’s Big Society pledge is set against the eye watering cuts in the Chancellor’s budget and the most difficult public spending conditions for years. Will the real pain for Scotland come down the line? We will see what the Comprehensive Spending Review reveals in the Autumn and how it impacts on the elections. It’s unlikely to be happy news however, so it is more important than ever that we work together to campaign for our priorities. A case of all hands on deck. If you know of any social enterprise that you feel should be in the Coalition, please send them the link to our website.
One piece of good news is that the Coalition in partnership with Queen Margaret University, has obtained Scottish Funding Council funding towards a piece of research scoping the contribution social enterprises make to Scotland’s Food & Drink industry. We will be asking members to help us to make this work, and we will be in touch soon.
Best wishes from us all for a peaceful summer.
Antonia Swinson, Chief Executive
Future Coalition Diary Dates
Wednesday 4th August 2010, Policy Breakfast, Carmelite Hotel, Stirling Street, Aberdeen
The Coalition is hosting a Scottish election policy breakfast from 8.00-9.00 am on Wednesday 4th August at the Carmelite Hotel in Aberdeen. If wish to attend please contact and to view the hotel please visit www.carmelitehotels.com
Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition News
Coalition Launches Search for Snapper
The Coalition today launches the search for an inspiring photographer to visually capture social enterprises in Scotland, telling their stories through imaginative pictures. Sponsored by Unity Trust Bank, the successful snapper will receive a £1,800 bursary to visit social enterprises across Scotland and pictorially depict how social enterprises change the lives of communities and individuals around them. For more information click here.
Highland Local TV Forum, Inverness College
The Institute of Local Television, HISEZ and the Coalition hosted a Local TV Forum to discuss the switchover from analogue to digital that will be completed in Scotland in 2011. We heard from a number of speakers including Ted Brocklebank MSP and how the switchover can be used to free up TV frequencies to deliver a more local service to all homes on Freeview.
Social Enterprise: Learning by Doing, Queen Margaret University
This event hosted at QMU provided an excellent opportunity for peer learning, networking and good practice sharing between government, academia, students and the third sector. Kicking off the day was Mel Young, founder of the Big Issue in Scotland, who spoke about his success in tackling homelessness.
Coalition AGM, Dancebase, Edinburgh
Our annual general meeting included a policy forum on our Scottish Electoral manifesto, networking, lunch plus a presentation from the Big Lottery Fund on their new funds who expect to have £100 million more than originally anticipated.We also heard from Peter Holbrook, the new CEO of SEC UK, who spoke about the role of the UK Social Enterprise Coalition in lobbying the Lib-Con Government and there were some notable changes to the Coalition’s Board (see below).
Coalition Board
At the AGM the Chair, Laurie Russell, and the Treasurer, Douglas Westwater, were re-appointed to their current roles as office bearers. Gerry Higgins stepped down as Vice-Chair and was replaced by Naomi Johnson, although Gerry will remain a Director. Jim Lee has stood down as Director and this created 2 Board vacancies that were filled by Frank McKillop from ABCUL and Jeanice Lee from CEMVO. Our thanks go to Gerry and Jim for the work they have done on behalf of the Coalition and we welcome our new Directors to the Board.
Research on Food and Drink Social Enterprises
The Coalition and Queen Margaret University have received a funding grant to undertake a piece of research scoping the size of the economic contribution social enterprises make to Scotland’s food and drink industry. To help us do this research in a low work way, we’d be really grateful ifyou would consider emailing Donna a list of your members working in food.
Membership Renewals
A big thank you to all members and associates who have renewed their membership for 2010/11. Your continued support is much appreciated.
Reform Scotland Consultation
The Coalition has responded to the Reform Scotland consultation on how to increase the role of the third sector in public service delivery. To read the response click here.
New Publications
· Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition Annual Report 2009/10
Coalition Logo
Celebrate your membership of the Coalition by uploading our revamped Members and Associates Logos from the members’ area.Parliamentary Update
News, Motions and Questions
Parliament News
Future Jobs Fund
Last month we asked about your experience of the Future Jobs Fund and we received replies from 25 members who were sub contractors in the FJF delivery. Of the 401 jobs created to date, members stated that at least 214 were sustainable permanent positions, engaged in a range of activities. To read our submission to the DWP and Treasury on this issue click here.
Tax relief for social enterprise
Earlier this month, the Coalition met Government officials to discuss amendments to Community Interest Tax Relief and the Enterprise Investment Scheme to make them easier for social investors to claim. Currently there are two tax reliefs that can be used by people who want to invest in social enterprise. To read the briefing paper on this issue click here.Dormant Account Monies
Last week the order was laid with the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee to progress the Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts. BLF will now undertake a consultation on the four broad policy themes that are aimed at striking a balance in achieving social and environmental outcomes.
The Big Lottery Fund - Distribution Changes
The UK Government wishes to change the National Lottery Distribution Fund and is proposing to make the change in two stages:
· On 1 April 2011, to increase the share for arts, heritage and sport to 18% each of Lottery monies and reduce the Big Lottery Fund to 46%.
· Then on 1 April 2012, to increase the shares for arts, heritage and sport to 20% each of the Lottery monies and to reduce the share for the Big Lottery Fund to 40%.
The Coalition is keen to hear from members about how this change will benefit or disadvantage your organisation? Please email Callum with any thoughts you have.
Scottish Parliamentary Motions
Please contact your local Parliamentarians and encourage them to sign the following:
· Mary Scanlon: Congratulations to Rag ‘n’ Tag Textiles in Highland Diversity Awards
· Bill Butler: Co-operatives Fortnight
Scottish Parliamentary Questions
· John Wilson asked what measures the Government is taking with North Lanarkshire Council to improve collaboration between the NHS and the voluntary sector. To read the response click here
· John Wilson asked what the membership is of the Development Trusts Association Scotland. To read the response click here.
· John Wilson asked what projects the Development Trusts Association Scotland is undertaking, broken down by location. To read the response click here.
· John Wilson asked what the budget of the Development Trusts Association Scotland was in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. To read the response click here.
· John Wilson asked what support it plans to give to the Development Trusts Association Scotland in Central Scotland. To read the response click here.
· John Wilson asked how it plans to monitor the transfer of assets from local authorities to local communities under the auspices of the Development Trusts Association Scotland. To read the response click here.
· Patrick Harvie asked the Scottish Executive what it considers the major barriers are in mapping the social enterprise sector. To read the response click here.
· Patrick Harvie asked the Scottish Executive whether it considers that a lack of up-to-date statistics on the social enterprise sector, including number of organisations, employees and turnover, is a barrier to measuring how effective the Enterprising Third Sector Action Plan is in developing the sector. To read the response click here.
Coalition Members’ News and Events
New Members
A warm welcome to the Coalition’s newest Associate member:
· The Grange Group (Associates) - www.thegrangegroup.com
Social Enterprise Academy Schools Awards
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, presented awards to 21 schools which have successfully set up and run their own social enterprises. Among the schools which received awards at the ceremony was Bushes Primary in Renfrewshire, where pupils set up Sparkles Nail Bar to support UNICEF and the Haiti Fund.
Spoon Cafe at the Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd Velodrome
Unity Enterprises have won the contract to provide construction workers at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome being constructed in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games with morning fry-ups, hot meals in the daytime, as well as drinks and snacks. The food and drink outlet is expected to have a turnover of some £200,000 a year over the next two years, dwarfing the existing Unity outlet – the city centre cafe Spoons.
Claverhouse Case study
Coalition member Claverhouse was selected by the Institute of Public Policy Research as a case study for their recent report: "Green and Decent Jobs - the case for local action" They are one of 7 case studies that demonstrate excellent ideas for how the green jobs agenda might be advanced in the UK.
Climate Change Fund awarded to Coalition member
After five years of community engagement work in Clackmannanshire using Green Mapping, Action for Change have now been successful in the last round of Climate Challenge Fund for a project in their home town in West Fife. For more information visit www.actionforchange.net.
Scottish Investment Fund
The Fund is now approaching the £20m mark in terms of investments made or pending drawdown to around 30 organisations. The fund remains open to new proposals and organisations are welcome to apply by completing the initial online application formhere.
Chair needed for Spruce Carpets
Spruce Carpets, the award-winning Glasgow based social enterprise, is seeking a new Chair to lead its Board of Directors. To express interest in the role please contact the current Chair, Jon Molyneux on 07816 636 935 or email
Offices to let in Merchant City, Glasgow
The African and Caribbean Network have recently acquired 2nd Floor office premises with 150 sqm space in the heart of the Merchant City arts and culture district close to restaurants, the African Caribbean Centre, Osborne St. For more information, please contact Graham Campbell
Co-operating on Screen, Glasgow Film Theatre, Friday 2nd July
Mediaco-op invites all social entrepreneurs to attend to a free event to celebrate international co-operative day from 12 noon to 1pm. For more information, please contact
HISEZ Conference 2010 - take 2, Inverness, Friday 27 August 2010
Given the weather than hit Scotland at the end of February, it was decided the cancel the HISEZ conference and re-arrange it for later in the year. The date has been set for Friday 27 August at the Centre for Health Science in Inverness and the guest speaker at this year's conference is John Bird, founder of The Big Issue. To book your place, please click here
CEiS Conference, Thursday 2nd September 2010, Glasgow
This year's event will focus on exploring priorities in advance of the next action plan for social enterprise. It is being held on 2nd September at the Concert Hall in Glasgow. For more information click here.
Leadership for Senior Managers, begins 14 and 15 September 2010, Edinburgh
The Social Enterprise Academy Leading Edge programme offers participants time to improve their leadership skills, over the course of a year, with peers operating in similar positions to help them to learn and apply new approaches to leadership in their day to day roles. For further details, contact Danny Scott on 0131 243 2674 or email
Sector News, Events & Resources
News
New Funding streams
Diageo in partnership with UnLtd is supporting a new UK-wide social entrepreneurship programme - 'Bring it to Life'. The programme will offer support and funding for people aged between 25- 35 to create new social ventures. The closing date for entries is 23 July 2010. For more information click here.
PAS extends advice service to help support social enterprises
Planning Aid for Scotland (PAS) has published new guidelines for its planning advice service to include business start-ups, social enterprises and development trusts. The revised guidance recognises their vital role in economic growth. The link to the full, new advice service eligibility guidelines are here.Lottery still committed to asset agenda
The Big Lottery Fund has been working to revise and re-open their main funding programme in Scotland. And after a period of deliberation and re-design, their new portfolio will open for business on 30 June (today). For more information click hereWinners of the first ever RBS SE100 Index announced
A celebration was held at the Garden Museum in London to announce winners of the first RBS SE100 Awards. Eleven organisations had been short-listed from across the UK for the prestigious titles of Growth Champion, Impact Champion and Trailblazing Newcomer won by Mow & Grow, FRC Group and Create Foundation CIC respectively.
The Scottish Boat Festival, Portsoy
The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival was held in Portsoy, Banffshire last weekend. Taking place over Saturday and Sunday it featured scores of boats as well as music and crafts.
Chance to appear in Sky1 TV show 'Wayne Rooney's Street Striker'
Aged 16-24? Fancy playing Street Soccer with Wayne Rooney and appearing in the new Sky1 TV show Wayne Rooney’s street striker? Street Soccer (Scotland) will be holding open trials in Glasgow and Edinburgh on the 7th and 8th of July to find the next stars of the hit Sky1 footy show. Trials will consist of training drills, skill tests and street soccer matches. If you or your project would like to get involved in this fantastic opportunity, please email