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National news June

Cash injection for the Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Following the recent Budget announcement, an additional £35 million has been allocated to the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP). This sees the current programme extended from its original end date 1 July 2009, until April 2011. This is in order to support technologies until the introduction of Feed-in Tariffs and the Renewable Heat Incentive. The LCBP provides grants for installing renewable technologies to charitable organisations and public sector buildings. Grants of up to 50% of the total installation cost (up to a maximum of £200,000) can cover the installation of solar photovoltaics, solar thermal hot water, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, automated wood pellet stoves and wood-fuelled boiler systems. The announcements now see that the upper limit for heat technologies has been raised to 300kW.

To get further information on the LCBP, please visit www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk. Alternatively you can call: 08704 23 23 13 or email: info@lcbpphase2.org.uk.

South Gloucestershire Funders Fair

The South Gloucestershire CVS will be hosting a Funders Fair on Thursday 9 July 2009, where local community groups can speak to representatives from key funders such as The Big Lottery, Quartet Community Foundation, Children In Need and South Gloucestershire Council. The Fair will have presentation, information stands, and run individual surgeries and workshops, helping to boost fundraising skills. Entry is free and lunch is included. Transport can also be provided if required. For further details and to download a booking form or to register online visit: www.cvs-sg.org.uk or call: 01454 865205.

New Minister for Office of the Third Sector

The Prime Minister has recently announced a new Minister for the Third Sector. Angela Smith, MP for Basildon, will take over from Kevin Brennan. She will become Minister of State, rather than a Parliamentary Under Sectretary, reflecting "the importance of the third sector at this crucial time", a spokesperson said. Before this appointment, Ms Smith spent 18 months working as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister and she was also previously a vice-chair of the All Party Group on Charities and the Voluntary Sector.