Community Assets

From 24 September 2020 certain businesses in England are required by law to display NHS Test and Trace QR codes so customers with the NHS COVID-19 app can use them to check-in.

QR codes will help businesses meet their legal requirement to log contact details and allow public health leads to send alerts based on whether people have checked in at venues. So far, more than 160,000 businesses have already downloaded QR codes. 

You should create and display a QR code if you are:

We are all adapting to the new world and guidance is being released all the time on what we should/shouldn’t be doing.  Keeping on top of it all can be quite a challenge.

Rugeley Community Centre have a container full of surplus office furniture which they are willing to give away for FREE to any VCSE organisation in the area.

To take a look please contact Chris Fielding direct by email to manager@rugeleycc.org.uk

A finance package of loans and grants is available to community groups in England that want to take on the ownership of their local pub.

Closing date: 21 August 2020

Applications are still being taken for the Government Small Business Grant, so far we have distributed over £26m. There are however organisations who have not provided us with their bank details and we have been unable to issue payment.  An online form is available here to apply. They will be asked to upload proof of bank details if not currently paying rates by direct debit.   

https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/business-support-coronavirus

For some time now, The Octagon Shopping Centre in Burton upon Trent, has been working with local charitable organisations to provide storage space and, if required, shop units for charities, utilising void units within their centre.

The units they provide are available to registered charities free of rent and service charge. In many cases they may also cover the cost of the utilities too.  All they ask is that charities utilising the space take on the rates liability which is current zero until March 2021. 

To all our members and partners in Lichfield we wanted to let you know that we have taken the decision to sell Mansell House. Its been a wonderful home to Support Staffordshire for the last 5 years and to Lichfield CVS for the two decades before that. Many will have very fond memories of it and we will miss it. However, its time to focus on the future and unfortunately Mansell just isn’t the right place for us to be any longer.

For those charities that run their own catering facilities - for example community cafes, bars in community centres, or bars/cafes/restaurants linked to museums, historic properties or arts venues - the Chancellor announced some very important new measures, including a change in the rate of VAT effective from this week (15 July) and an important discount scheme in August.

Re-opening of community premises can begin to take place after 6th July, and careful consideration by trustees should be given to ensure community buildings are COVID secure.

The latest ACRE’s information sheet looks at how village halls can prepare risk assessments, ensure social distancing once open and introduce effective cleaning regimes. There are some practical resources too including checklists, notices for display in halls and sample terms of hire.

The ACRE information is available by contacting your local Support Staffordshire Rural Officers:

The Charity Digital Code of Practice has launched a COVID-19 digital checklist to support charity leaders during this difficult time.

The checklist aims to help charity trustees and leaders make the right digital decisions, evaluate key decisions, assess progress so far and create a consistent understanding of their charity’s digital goals.

The checklist is split into 7 categories which include remote working, fundraising and governance.