Governance Update November 2026
In response to requests from our members for information around governance and finance for the benefit of their trustees, committee or board members, LDCVS is publishing our first Governance Update.
The Update gathers selected information previously published over the last twelve editions of our weekly bulletin.
The first edition has been created to coincide with Trustee Week 2027, with future editions planned for February, May and August.
If you’d like to provide feedback, please do get in touch by emailing [email protected]
HOPE Not Hate work nationally to counter division and build community resilience. Support available to community groups includes safety and security resources for groups that may be at risk of being targeted for their work, and a monthly newsletter with information and analysis. Newsletter subscribers will also receive invitations to peer support meetings.
Bespoke support is available to community groups and individuals facing threats or operating in situations of heightened tensions. Email [email protected] to find out more.
You may be aware that in October the Government reviewed a number of decisions relating to Local Government Reorganisation, including the proposal to replace Lancashire’s 15 councils with four new unitary authorities.
The Government has now confirmed that its previous decision has been withdrawn. However, this does not mean that local government reorganisation in Lancashire has been cancelled. Instead, ministers will reconsider the options for Lancashire afresh, with all previously submitted proposals remaining under consideration.
We have been advised that a further decision is expected in early 2027. Under the revised timetable, shadow elections would take place in May 2028, with the new authorities formally coming into being in April 2029.
Read the Government announcement here
For the VCFSE sector, the outcome of local government reorganisation will have important implications for future relationships, decision-making structures and how local services are planned and delivered. We will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more information becomes available.
The Civil Society Group, a coalition of more than 80 voluntary sector infrastructure and membership organisations, published its submission to Government ahead of the Autumn Budget 2026. The paper highlights the significant contribution civil society makes to communities and the economy and calls for stronger investment and partnership with the voluntary sector.
Key recommendations include:
- Full-cost recovery for government grants and contracts.
- Multi-year funding arrangements with inflation uplifts.
- Reform and protection of Gift Aid and charitable tax incentives.
- Increased support for local infrastructure organisations and place-based giving.
- Investment in community ownership and community wealth building.
- Support for digital transformation, AI adoption and cyber resilience within the sector.
The submission argues that civil society contributes almost £40 billion to the UK economy and plays a vital role in delivering public services, strengthening communities and tackling inequalities. It also calls for government to recognise charities and voluntary organisations as strategic partners in achieving its wider social and economic ambitions.
HRH The Princes Royal addressed the Annual Public Meeting of the Charity Commission on 15 October, reflecting on the enduring strength of voluntary spirit. The Commission’s Chair, Julia Unwin, highlighted the value of infrastructure bodies within the sector and the importance of the Commission as an independent regulator, before taking questions alongside the Commission’s leadership team.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has published a consultation which looks at the Commission’s powers to automatically disqualify trustees, including around the extremist abuse of charitable structures. The Commission believes that instances of extremist abuse cause significant harm to the sector.
The next VCFSE Alliance Assembly Meeting will take place on 24 November. The meeting will focus on neighbourhoods providing an opportunity for VCFSE organisations from across Lancashire and South Cumbria to come together, share perspectives and contribute to discussions about the role of communities and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector in shaping neighbourhood working.
Find out more about the VCFSE Assembly or contact Stephanie Gorner at [email protected] for more information.
The Charity Commission has updated its guidance to Trustees around selling, leasing or disposing of land or property owned by charities. The Renters’ Rights Act, which came into force on 1 May 2026, creates new rights and obligations which charities must take into account.
To support charities in submitting accurate financial information, the Charity Commission has updated their accounting rules, releasing separate guides for trusts/unincorporated associations, charitable companies, and charitable incorporated organisations.
Guides include information about updates to the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP), and the income thresholds at which charities must follow the SORP and have their accounts examined or audited.
Thinking about setting up a Community Interest Company (CIC)? Before you start the registration process, it’s worth taking a step back to consider whether a CIC is actually the right structure for your idea.
Many people are told that a CIC is the best route because it can access funding, is simpler than becoming a charity, or allows founders to pay themselves a salary. While a CIC can be the right choice for some ventures, it is first and foremost a limited company with legal responsibilities and the need for a robust and sustainable business model.
Join us online on Thursday 19 November 2026, 11.30pm-1.00pm, for an honest and practical webinar exploring what a CIC is, common misconceptions, alternative structures, funding realities and the key questions you should ask before setting up a new organisation.
Delivered by Sharon Phillips, LDCVS Development Support Officer.
Book your place here HERE
Cost: Free
For further information, contact [email protected] or call 01524 555900.
The Charity Commission have published their second annual picture of the risks facing registered charities and CIOs, supporting trustees to take proportionate steps in their own context in areas such as abuse of charity status, fraud, AI and safeguarding.
From 1 September 2026, the law about regulated activity with children has changed. The previous rule about the supervision of paid staff and volunteers carrying out specific activities with children has been removed from the legal definition.
This means some people will be in regulated activity with children from 1 September 2026 when they were not before, because they were sufficiently supervised by someone else. This will apply if they do the work often enough, or overnight.
If your organisation will need to conduct additional DBS checks, LDCVS can help.
The Charity Commission has issued guidance to organisations affected by the recent cybersecurity incident involving Beacon CRM, a customer relationship management system used by many non-profit organisations.
The Commission is encouraging charities to make appropriate use of its process for reporting serious incidents, and to consult guidance on cybersecurity and data protection.
