News: August 2010
House to house collections
Draft disciplinary procedures
Elections to the Board of Directors
Lobbying update
Events
New advertising standards codes
Recruitment advertisements
Also...
- BRC Retail Sales Monitor
- Brand questionnaire prize draw winners
- Other news: Greetings cards available from Severn Hospice, Free energy monitoring
- Conference feedback and thanks
House to house - can we solve the perennial problem of stock?
Since I joined the Association at the end of last year, the one issue that has been brought up more often than any other is house to house collections. I have heard lots of complaints and criticisms from our members about various collection methods; I have heard lots of frustration and anger about bogus collectors pretending to be from charities and others who pick up legitimate charity collection sacks the day before the charity is due to collect; and I hear frequently from members of the public who complain about the sheer number of collection sacks being left at their homes.
The result of all this is a shortage of stock for many shops.
I know that in the past a number of attempts have been made to try and resolve the problem, none of which have had any lasting effect. I now want us to try and solve the problem by taking a sector-wide approach and trying to act together in the interest of the entire charity retail sector.
We are embarking on a process that I hope will come up with a solution that will result in our members finding it easier to keep their shops well stocked. At this stage, we are considering engaging an outside facilitator who will help our members come to an agreed position on exactly what the issues are that need to be addressed. The facilitator will then work with our members to agree on a plan that the majority of members will buy into, one that will result in the desired outcome, a good availability of stock at a cost that will help shops remain profitable and help increase profitability.
We want to start the process as soon as possible and I will let members know what progress is being made in due course. In the meantime I am very interested to hear from members their views on all aspects of stock collection.
Warren Alexander, Chief Executive
warren@charityshops.org.uk
Draft disciplinary procedures
Members will be aware that in joining the Association, they are required to sign up to the Code of Charity Retailing. In the event of a complaint being made against a member, we have drafted guidelines that set out how the complaint will be handled and what action might be taken.
Before these guidelines are formally adopted, we want to give our members the opportunity to comment on them.
You can read the draft guidelines here.
Please send responses to Warren Alexander at warren@charityshops.org.uk by Friday 29 October.
Join our Board of Directors: elections on 4 November
At the forthcoming AGM, a number of Board members will be due to retire but will be eligible to stand again for election. There are also 2 vacancies, one in the 20 shops or less category and one in the 100+ shops category. There are 4 Board meetings during the year and a strategy away-day in January. Discussions and decisions in the interim are handled by email and telephone.
Have your say!
If you would like to put yourself forward for a position on the Board of Directors then please email Warren Alexander: warren@charityshops.org.uk.
Lobbying update
Engaging with Parliamentarians
In July, Warren Alexander and David Moir had productive meetings with two MPs and a Peer to promote charity retail, and to enlist their support for the sector.
These meetings were the start of a wider strategy to increase our presence and influence in Westminster, and to build good, productive relationships with members of both Houses and all parties.
After the summer recess, we will be having more meetings with Parliamentarians and we'll also be looking at other ways to engage legislators and decision makers.
Goods dumped outside charity shops – Court judgment
In a recent case (R (Rickets) v Basildon Magistrates’ Court [2010] WLR (D) 186), the Divisional Court ruled that it can be assumed that anyone who leaves goods outside a charity shop intends them to be a donation to the charity shop.
This means that the goods remain the person's property unless, and until, the charity shop accepts them. The goods have not been abandoned. Anyone else who lifts the goods, therefore, may be guilty of theft.
Whilst this ruling might, of course, be challenged in the higher Courts, we believe it has broadly positive implications for charity shops. The ruling is quite clear that ownership of the goods remains with the "donor" until the charity shop picks them up. This means that – unless you physically accept the goods – you should not be liable for any litter clear-up costs.
This ruling may also deter others from leaving bags full of goods outside shops overnight, once they realise that they still own the goods, and may be liable for litter costs. It may also deter others from rummaging, if they realise they may be arrested for theft.
Possible removal of discretionary rates relief by local authorities
Shops operated by charities are normally eligible for mandatory 80% business rates relief, if they sell wholly or mainly donated goods. Individual local authorities may also – at their discretion - grant up to an additional 20% rates relief to charities in their area, including charity shops.
This means that – for some shops – business rates bills can be zero. However, given public spending cuts, we have been concerned for some time that authorities might stop granting this additional relief.
We now understand that Brighton Council has decided to do just this, and to remove discretionary rates relief for charities in its area. We do not expect Brighton to be the only authority to do this.
Direct appeals from individual shops and their supporters to local Councillors might help to persuade authorities to retain the relief. But, given its discretionary nature, there may be little you can do to dissuade authorities from withdrawing this.
Karen Lumley (MP for Redditch) has tabled a written Parliamentary Question about the extent of discretionary rates relief for charity shops. This will be answered in September. We are not yet sure if this is a friendly question or not, and we are in contact with the MP.
As far as we are aware, there are no plans to change the current mandatory 80% relief.
Music licensing
David Moir had a first, tentative, meeting with PPL in July to look at possible fees regimes, should Government press ahead with legislation to remove exemptions.
We are now awaiting a fully worked-up proposal from PPL, which the Board will consider in due course.
Events
Members’ Meeting Wales, Thursday 2 September, 11am-3pm, Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff
As we announced in the last Bulletin, in September we will be holding one of our new-style Members’ Meetings in Wales. This will comprise of:
- five 30-minute workshops to help our members use the Association’s services and research data to greatest effect
- coverage of specific Welsh issues, including the Welsh Assembly Government’s policies such as the proposed shopping bags levy
- one of the workshops – run by Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) – will be on Government and EU-supported job creation schemes, which members can benefit from
Download the Members' Meeting Wales agenda and booking form
Environment Interest Group Meeting, Tuesday 28 September, Association’s offices, London
The main agenda item will be a presentation about what actions the Association is taking to solve the problem of stock due to the increasing number of organisations doing house to house collections for clothing. This will be followed by an open discussion to gather feedback from members. This is a topic that the Association envisage will be high up in the agenda for the next 12 months so it is important to understand members’ concerns about stock, whether you do house to house collections or not.
Other topics covered will be an update on the progress dealing with the Association of Chief Police Officers, an update on the Institute of Fundraising common code for house-to-house collections and other policy development.
The meeting is free and open to all charity members of the Association.
National Charities Networking Lunch, Wednesday 13 October, Association’s offices, London
The main topic of discussion will be stock generation and house to house collections. As the Association is embarking on an initiative which we hope will help to solve the problems associated with house to house collections, this lunch will be an excellent opportunity for an informal discussion and exchange of views as well as commenting on the steps the Association is taking.
We will also bring you up to date on the latest developments on the PPL music licensing saga, but as always, the agenda is open for whatever subjects you want to discuss. If you wish to attend please email Susan at susan@charityshops.org.uk by Friday 1 October.
People Management Group, Tuesday 19 October, Birmingham and Midland Institute, Birmingham
The next People Management meeting is approaching. As usual the October meeting will be held in Birmingham.
Among the topics to be discussed are performance management, succession planning, an update on vetting and barring, and auto-enrolment in pension schemes from 2012.
The agenda will be emailed to the group in the next couple of weeks. If you would like to receive the agenda or join the group please email Susan Meredith (susan@charityshops.org.uk or 020 7255 4470).
Association of Charity Shops Annual General Meeting11am-3pm, Thursday 4 November at NCVO, Regent's Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL Association new brand launch ... House-to-house collections ... Political action ... Elections ... Exhibitors ... Networking and lunch ... BOOK NOW! |
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Meeting Location Survey – RESULT!
Due to popular demand, we will be holding our first ever Yorkshire Members’ Meeting in 2011. Watch this space for date and venue announcement.
Isabelle's Handbook Fact
Scottish banknotes, although they are legal currency within the UK, are not "legal tender" in any part of the UK, even in Scotland. Similarly, Bank of England notes are not legal tender in Scotland. This is because 'legal tender' has a specific meaning in law, in relation to the repayment of debt. The paper banknotes therefore fall into the category of 'promissory notes'.
N.B. This fact will not necessarily calm a person whose Scottish money has been refused in an English shop. Scottish banknotes - as with Bank of England notes - should only be refused if you have reason to believe it has been forged.
This information, and much more on identifying the different families of Scottish note, can be found in our Security Manual - available to Charity Members.
On an entirely unconnected note, Isabelle is currently holidaying in Edinburgh, trying to find a banknote from the Clydesdale Bank’s World Heritage Series, to see the promised tartan security thread.
BRC Retail Sales Monitor - July 2010
NON-FOOD SUFFERS IN SALES GROWTH SLOWDOWN |
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UK retail sales values rose 0.5% on a like-for-like basis from July 2009, when sales had increased 1.8%. On a total basis, sales were up 2.6% against a 3.6% increase in July 2009. |
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Food sales growth picked up, though the growth was flattered by a smaller gain a year ago. Clothing sales growth was boosted by clearance deals but footwear was more difficult. Homewares fell back, with big-ticket items in particular hit by consumer uncertainty over job cuts and income prospects. |
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Non-food non-store sales (internet, mail-order and phone sales) slowed in July and were 11.3% higher than a year ago, the weakest growth for almost a year. |
New advertising standards codes
The Advertising Standards Authority is launching a new set of codes that will come into force on Wednesday 1 September. The new codes may affect charities, with changes to lottery advertising as well as the introduction of comparative charity adverts.
Download an overview of the changes here
Please read through the information to ensure your communications comply with the new rules. If you are unsure about whether your advertising will be affected a free advice service is provided by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP), visit www.bcap.org.uk/Resource-Centre/Advice-and-guidance.aspx to find out how they can help. There are also free online seminars that talk you through the changes, go to www.bcap.org.uk/CAPServices/AdviceAM/New-Advertising-Codes-webcast.aspx to view.
Association brand questionnaire - Prize Draw winners
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our branding questionnaire. The winners of the draw are:
- Carole Williamson, Hawkhurst League of Friends
- Kay Barnes, Sue Ryder Care
- Rose Kreloff, Watford Mencap
Each winner will receive either a £25 donation to their charity or a £25 Marks and Spencer voucher.
Other news
Greetings cards available from Severn Hospice
Severn Hospice have reviewed their general card range and now have a range of cards that they are looking to dispose of. They are from a range of producers and have all been purchased within the last 3 years. If any charities or hospices would be interested in purchasing some of them, this would be an ideal opportunity to test the market or enhance your range at very little risk. Quantities are flexible and prices are negotiable – they are not looking to make a profit.
Anybody interested in further discussions can contact Laura on – retail@severnhospice.org.uk or 01743 272082.
SMEasure.org.uk announces free energy monitoring for charities and non-profit making organisations
SMEasure can support charities who want to commit themselves to reduce their carbon footprint and want to reduce energy-related costs at no cost t the charity.
SMEasure.org.uk is a free to use energy monitoring website from the University of Oxford that requires no equipment or kit. It can provide a host of valuable analysis by benchmarking the organisation’s energy consumption from adding weekly meter readings against typical use and degree-day data to provide valuable insight to the charitable organisation on possible wastage and leakage, for example, so corrective measures can be implemented.
Yassen Roussev from The Cyrenians uses SMEasure and says of the tool: ‘SMEasure has allowed The Cyrenians homeless charity to monitor the performance of its building stock and evaluate the effectiveness of energy efficiency projects. There has been a lack of specialised tools freely available to SME's to evaluate energy usage and correlate that with local degree-day data.’ Yassen continued, ‘The creation of SMEasure to fill exactly this gap is really good news for the Energy or Estate Manager on a shoestring.’
Any organisation can use the website; however SMEasure.org.uk would in particular like to attract charities and non-profit making organisations to benefit with an aim for the monitoring organisation to cut energy consumption and potentially cut energy bills to save on the charity’s running costs.
Go to www.smeasure.org.uk/charities for more information or contact Annah Todman at annah@smeasure.org.uk or 0845 269 4816 Muriel Bonjean at muriel@smeasure.org.uk
Charity Retail Conference 2010 – feedback and thanks
Our Charity Retail Conference was SOLD OUT and was a great success.
"Absolutely informative, innovative and specifically interesting – tremendous."
"Excellent evening, good speaker, great food and networking."
"Positive opportunity to meet suppliers in one location."
Quotes from conference evaluation forms
We would like to thank our main sponsors: 1st Waste Management Consultants, Choice, eBay for Charity, Itim and Retrograde and everyone who helped to make this an informative and enjoyable experience.
You can read more about the event on our Conference page and our Awards page.
Recruitment advertisements
Retail Manager, The Children's SocietySalary: £15,332 - £17,461
Hours of work will be 37 per week. |
Full Time Office Administrator (maternity cover), Association of Charity ShopsSalary: £23,000 pro rata |
Our newsletter (the Bulletin) is mailed on a monthly basis to approximately 400 charity retail contacts. If you are interested in advertising any vacancies or properties in the Bulletin, please contact Michelle on 020 7255 4473 or email michelle@charityshops.org.uk.