Monitoring legislation and regulation affecting the community sector in England and Wales

The Community Law Monitoring Group was established in the early 1990s as the Law Monitoring Group. During this period it sustained notoriety for addressing legal and technical issues affecting the community and voluntary sector in England and Wales. Most recently the group reviewed its purpose and outlined below is the new terms of reference of its work.

Purpose and Aims

The Community Sector Law Monitoring Group is a forum that aims to:

1. Monitor legislation, regulation and practice that affect the operation of community organisations and groups.

2. Advocate for and assist government with the development of effective and appropriate legislation and regulation or community organisations and groups.

3. Improve the two way flow of knowledge and information and ensure the best information is available to community groups.

4. Improve co-ordination and co-operation between national organizations ( England and Wales)

Underpinning Values

As part of its underpinning values the Community Sector Law Monitoring Group recognises that:

• Democratic community organizations help to empower groups and individuals, contribute towards a cohesive vibrant civil society and are part of a distinct part of the wider voluntary and community sector.

• Legislation and regulation should provide a positive framework within which community organisations and groups can operate.

• Legislation and regulation should be monitored and influenced by those groups on whom it impacts.

Membership

Members of the Community Sector Law Monitoring Group comprises national organizations that:

• Support or provide information to community organisations and groups and have an interest in their effective operation.

• Share the underpinning values of the group

Areas of Interest

While not intended to be definitive or exclusive the following represents the main areas of concern for the Community Sector Law Monitoring Group.

• Community buildings
• Management of open spaces
• Festivals and Events
• Charity law / company law and legal structures/regulations
• Charity trading
• Health and safety
• Employment
• Volunteering
• Children and young people
• Equality and diversity
• Finance and tax
• Provision of alcohol in community buildings and at events
• Insurance issues for community buildings, spaces and events
• Links with IT

Current Member Organisations

Action with Communities in Rural England ( ACRE)
British Association of Settlements (BASSAC)
Churches Main Committee
Community Matters
Community Sector Coalition
Development Trusts Association (DTA)
Greater London Association for Disabled
The Guide Association
National Council for Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO)
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
National Coalition for Black Volunteering (NCBV)
National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS)
The Scout Association
Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA)

Advisors

Dave Howell (WHCA)
Jonathan Dawson MA LL.B

Secretariat

Community Matters provide the secretariat for the group. For further information contact Veronica Karrinton on 020 7837 7887.

Membership

Click here for the Community Sector Law Monitoring Group membership form.

Monitoring legislation and regulation affecting the community sector in England and Wales