Consultations

Deadline 31st May

The CQC are in the process of creating guidance for local voluntary and community sector groups that will look at how they can best work together.

They really want to find out the views of local groups on how they might work with each other and want to find out how groups work with local communities.

You can help create the guidance by taking part in this short questionnaire.

Deadline 7^th June

The review aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the use and supply of illicit drugs and to identify what more could be done to reduce harm to individuals and society.

The review is in 2 parts:

Part 1 will summarise the existing evidence relating to drug use, supply and effects, including current trends and future risks; to highlight the most important gaps in that evidence; and to suggest how to address those gaps.

It will consider:

• the demographics of drug use. This will look at demand, including who uses which types of drugs, together with patterns of and motivations for use
• the drugs market. This will look at supply into the UK, how criminals meet the demand of users and the causes of drug-related violence

The scope for part 2 will be determined once the first part has reported.

Further information on the scope of the review and its terms of reference can be found on GOV.UK

For more information about the call for evidence go to the Government website 

Deadline 2^nd August

This paper seeks views on the government’s proposals for a new approach to support victims of domestic abuse and their children in accommodation-based services in England.

The Government is consulting on a new delivery model for accommodation-based support. This includes the introduction of a statutory duty on local authorities to provide support that meets the diverse needs of victims of domestic abuse and their children, ensuring they have access to provision that is right for them.

They welcome views on:

• the definition of accommodation-based services and support
• leadership and responsibilities
• local and national accountability
• guidance

They would like to hear from victims and survivors, service providers, local authorities, police and crime commissioners and other public agencies, as well as other professionals who support victims and their children.

For more information go to the Government website

Deadline 21st July

New, or majorly refurbished, large buildings used by the public must have Changing Places toilets, under government proposals being consulted on from today.

New, or majorly refurbished, large buildings used by the public must have Changing Places toilets for severely disabled people, under government proposals announced  on 12th May.

The proposals, being consulted on from today, are expected to add the toilets to more than 150 new buildings a year, including shopping centres, supermarkets, cinemas, stadiums and arts venues.

Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets for severely disabled people, with equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and enough space for carers.

There are over 1,300 Changing Places toilets in the UK, up from just 140 in 2007, but more are needed to support the more than a quarter of a million people who need them in the UK.

For more information go to the Government website

Deadline 30^th July

The proposed changes have come about as a result of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government issuing a Direction in February 2019 to the Regulator of the Social Housing to set a new Rent Standard.

The new Standard will also have regard to the Rent Policy Statement published alongside the Direction.

The proposed 2020 Rent Standard requires, as an outcome, that registered providers comply in full with both its own provisions and those of the Policy Statement. It goes on to detail the circumstances and properties to which it applies and does not apply. It sets out specific expectations relating to the following areas:

• the 2020 limit;
• rules on Social Rent (including fair rent);
• rules on Affordable Rent;
• movement between different types of rent.

For more information go to the Government website