Consultations

Deadline 21^st November

The government is seeking views from the public on ending the sale of energy drinks to children and young people in England.

The consultation proposes that a ban would apply to drinks that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre and prevent all retailers from selling the drinks to children.

It follows the publication of the latest chapter of the government’s childhood obesity plan in June 2018, which outlines a series of measures as well as a commitment to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

For more information, go to the Department of Health website

Deadline 16^th November

The Code of Fundraising Practice outlines the standards expected of charitable fundraisers across the UK. It is a key part of maintaining public trust and confidence in the sector, providing reassurance for the public that charitable organisations hold themselves accountable and that they will handle complaints appropriately.

It is vital that all fundraisers can use and understand the Code of Fundraising Practice, and that it is easily accessible to the public.

The Fundraising Regulator has gathered feedback on the Code in several ways since it launched in 2016, including:

• Feedback from the first consultation in February 2017.
• Roundtable sessions with smaller charities.
• Conversations with other regulators and bodies representing the sector.
• Queries and comments received from fundraisers and members of the public through the enquiries and complaints functions.

That feedback has influenced this review.

This consultation focuses on the style, presentation, clarity and accessibility of the Code.

The consultation does not propose to make fundamental changes to the standards within the Code, except where a standard may be identified as an unnecessary repetition or contradiction of a rule elsewhere in the Code, where the meaning is unclear or where it is found to be inaccurate in relation to UK law.

The consultation is intended to establish views on the proposed changes outlined below. Once the consultation is concluded any changes that may result to the Code will be subject to a full technical and legal review.

For more information, go to the Fundraising Regulator’s website

North East Lincolnshire Council would like to hear the views of Forum members on its library services. A consultation is running until 30 September, to help shape a long term plan for the future.

Whether you’re a regular library user or never visit, the council would like to hear from you.  Questions on learning, culture and health information are all included in the survey, to see what kind of services you’d like to see in  library buildings and in their online offer.

The council operates four libraries, in Grimsby, Cleethorpes Immingham and Waltham and these are managed by Lincs Inspire Ltd. Five other libraries previously run by the council are now the responsibility of charities and community groups, and are not included in the consultation.

There is a short survey available to complete at www.nelincs.gov.uk/have-your-say  or you can pop into your local council library and fill in a paper copy.

If your group would rather have a conversation about the questions in the consultation, then please send any group comments to Mary Marsh  by email – mary.marsh@nelincs.gov.uk  If your group would prefer a face-to-face discussion about the consultation then please contact Mary by email or ring 01472 325903.

In July this year, Government signed up to the Greater Grimsby Town Deal proposals worth around £67m. These proposals, over time, will realise more than 8800 new jobs and nearly 10000 new homes in the borough.

You can have your say by taking part in the Town deal survey here.

Deadline: Friday 21st September 2018

Securing enough energy for the future and managing water supplies is crucial if the Greater Lincolnshire economy is to grow.

Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise are leading on an energy and water strategy for Greater Lincolnshire and they would like your views by taking their online survey here.

The energy strategy for Greater Lincolnshire will link to their Strategic Economic Plan and form one of the chapters of the emerging Local Industrial Strategy.

Alongside the survey Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise will also be staging a number of focus groups and one-to-one sessions with people from business and the public sector.

If you would like to be considered for the one-to-one sessions or focus groups, please email andrew.brooks@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Deadline 31st October

A charity is asking people with disabilities to contribute to new online research about accessibility issues at live music events and nightclubs, and by acting as ‘mystery shoppers’ at gigs and events.

The research is being conducted by the Attitude is Everything charity, which works to make live events more accessible for people with disabilities. The charity is asking anyone with a visual or hearing impairment to complete a survey on ‘sensory impairment and live music’ on its website.

In the questionnaire, respondents are asked to describe any barriers they may have faced when trying to get their access needs fulfilled at music events. Respondents are also asked to record any good experiences they may have encountered.

The survey closes on October 31 and the Attitude is Everything website states that the results will “inform new guidance for the music industry on making their events as accessible as possible to people with hearing and visual impairments, and for people who use BSL.”

The charity is also asking for people with disabilities to act as ‘mystery shoppers’, to report on positive and negative experiences from live music shows, clubs and festivals. The mystery shopper project is described by Attitude is Everything as the ‘cornerstone’ of its work, as it allows for detailed feedback, which can then be passed on to some venues to make improvements.

The new research follows the publication of the charity’s ‘State of Access Report 2018’, released in April, which found that a large percentage of people with disabilities had been put off booking tickets to live music events or clubs or had felt discriminated against during the process, often due to inaccessible websites and online booking systems

Find out more about the ‘Sensory Impairment and Live Music’ research and take the survey on the Attitude is Everything website Anyone interested in becoming a mystery shopper for Attitude is Everything can find out more about the project and apply online at the charity’s website.

Deadline 5th October

The Women and Equalities Committee launches an inquiry into the enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 – legislation which is designed to “provide a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all”.l

Individuals can take legal action to enforce their right not to be discriminated against, mostly through employment tribunals and county courts.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) also has duties and powers to enforce the Act and it has stated that it wishes to become a more ‘muscular’ regulator.

The Committee has already made recommendations to improve the enforcement of the Equality Act in specific areas. These include:

• extending time limits for bringing certain employment cases (pregnancy & maternity and sexual harassment reports)
• adequate financial penalties (workplace dress codes and sexual harassment reports)
• increased use by the EHRC of its enforcement powers (workplace dress codes, older workers)
• greater action by regulators to tackle discrimination in the organisations they oversee (pregnancy and maternity, sexual harassment in the workplace)

The Committee now wants to know what more needs to be done to achieve widespread compliance with the Equality Act 2010 for all those with rights under it.

For more information, and to respond, go to the Parliament website

Deadline 5th October

Existing evidence shows that health outcomes are generally worse for LGBT people than for the rest of the population. The Government’s recent survey of 108,000 LGBT people found that many had difficulties accessing healthcare services, some had experienced inappropriate questioning and curiosity from healthcare staff, and that many feel their specific needs are not taken into account in their care.

The Women and Equalities Committee has launched an inquiry to consider whether provision is adequate, whether discrimination is still occurring, and what more needs to be done to improve access to health and social care.

For more information and to respond go to the Parliament website