Local Government Chronicle
14 April 2005
View all stories from this issue.
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£1M FOR NEW COMPOSTING FACILITIES
Funding to improve Scotland's record on recycling and the sustainable management of waste was announced today.... -
£93M TO MAKE RECYCLING EASIER
Local recycling facilities will be improved and made more accessible thanks to a£93m cash boost designed to help l... -
ANALYSIS - FORWARD THINKING
Ian Parker asks what might emerge from the election... -
ANALYSIS - POSTAL VOTES MUST WIN PUBLIC TRUST
>> Officers will be caught in the crossfire if losing candidates claim voting improprieties... -
ANTI-BULLYING PROJECT WINS EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AWARD
An innovative piece of research has won the Local Authorities Research and Intelligence Association excellence in r... -
ARCHITECT BEGINS DEATH-BUG DEFENCE
Gillian Beckingham, the Barrow BC architect accused of manslaughter, has begun her defence over the legionnaires' d... -
AUDITORS SOUND ALARM BELLS IN HEALTHCARE TRUST CASH CRISIS
By Mary-Louise Harding... -
BACKCHAT - LOCAL DIFFICULTY
From Fiona.Molestopper@Policy... -
BACKCHAT - TOULMIN SMITH
Postal haste... -
BEST PRACTICE - ENGAGING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Maidstone BC has worked to dispel mistrust and close the gap between generations. Nicky Willmore reports... -
BEST PRACTICE - LGC AWARDS
Tower Hamlets LBC has transformed its social services department... -
BEST PRACTICE - LGC CONFERENCES
CPA 2005 Improvement Planning: Preparing for the next round... -
BEST PRACTICE - SOLUTION EXCHANGE
We want to encourage our local football club to work with young people - especially those at risk of offending. Doe... -
BEST PRACTICE - THE KNOWLEDGE
From the IDeA Knowledge database... -
BILLS RUSHED TO BEAT ELECTIONS
Powers for councils to crack down on environmental crime, regulate casinos and promote equality for the disabled ha... -
BOTCHED NEGOTIATIONS LEAD TO UNIFIED REFORM
LGA and EO promise 'close liaison'... -
BOURNEMOUTH CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO LEAVE
Paul Godier, Bournemouth BC's chief executive, will be leaving in... -
BUSINESSES IN WALES GET£9.5M TO TACKLE WASTE
The Welsh Assembly Government is giving businesses£9.5m funding to help them reduce the amount of waste they send ... -
CAPPING FIGHT CLAIMS SOLID DEFENCE CASE
The nine districts threatened with council tax capping say they have watertight defences against government action.... -
CARE HOMES WILL CONTINUE TO CARE
The health select committee's report on continuing care* has been welcomed by the English Community Care Associatio... -
CAREERS - PEOPLE
MANAGEMENT... -
CHILDREN'S SERVICES - IN THE FUTURES MARKET
The integration of education and children's social services ... -
COMMENT - FEMALE CHIEFS TO THE RESCUE
By Jennifer Taylor... -
COMMENT - STICKING TO SCHEDULE IS VITAL
There are tumultuous times ahead for local government finance. The prospect of formula changes adds to uncertainty ... -
COMMISSION PROBES PLANNING STATS FRAUD
Figures falsified in bid to hit target... -
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP KEY TO WINNING WHITEHALL CONFIDENCE
Distrust of local government in Whitehall will only be overcome if councils can convince central government they ar... -
COMMUNITY PRIDE CAN KEEP WALES TIDY
Welsh Assembly government ministers will be getting their hands dirty during a week of events to put litter in the ... -
CONTRACT DOUBTS WILL NOT DERAIL WALK-IN COMMUTER HEALTH CENTRES
By Mary-Louise Harding ... -
COUNCIL ACTED FAIRLY ON WASTE CONTRACTS
Wandsworth LBC was acting lawfully and in the best interests of local businesses when it gave them the option to ha... -
COUNCIL APPOINTS HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
Jonathan Russell (41) is the newly appointed head of democratic services for West Sussex CC. He is taking over from... -
COUNCIL RECOMMENDS FIRE SPRINKLER POLICY
Lincolnshire CC's Executive have recommended that the council should fit fire sprinklers to all its new-build stand... -
COUNCILS SIGN UP FOR FIRST INTERNAL AUDIT PARTNERSHIP
In a first for district councils in East Surrey, four councils have joined together as a consortium to procure an e... -
COUNCILS WIN NEW POWERS TO CLAMP DOWN ON ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME
New powers to help councils clamp down on environmental crime have become law after the Clean Neighbourhoods Act re... -
COVENTRY STAFF VOTE ON STRIKE
Coventry City Council staff are balloting on strike action over the council's plan to impose a single status pay an... -
CROSSRAIL BILL CARRIED OVER TO NEXT PARLIAMENT
The Crossrail Bill - a Hybrid Bill that would authorise the construction and maintenance of Crossrail, a new East-W... -
DISPELLING THE MYTHS ABOUT THE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKFORCE
The Trade Union Congress today challenges the commonly held opinion that the public services are stuffed full of 'b... -
DON'T IGNORE THE NEEDS OF OLDER PEOPLE IN TRANSPORT PLANNING
Transport planners across the UK must ensure they put the needs of older people at the heart of their policy decisi... -
DREAM TEAM TO SPLIT?
Ruling group's support ebbs as Henshaw pension row rumbles on... -
EDUCATION - IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN
The Children Act has heralded huge changes to the role of education managers. Alia Waheed and Lyn Whitfield report... -
E-GOV PARTNERSHIPS PRODUCTS CATALOGUE
Local authorities are now able to find out about every project that local e-Government Partnerships, funded by the ... -
ELECTIONS 2005: 21,000 EXTRA TEACHERS PLEDGED
The Liberal Democrats today launched their plans for education. Charles Kennedy, Leader of the Liberal Democrats an... -
ELECTIONS 2005: EDUCATION IS LABOUR'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
Education secretary Ruth Kelly said today: 'Today we are publishing the education chapter of Labour's Manifesto. It... -
ELECTIONS 2005: 'ID CARD BILL TO BE PRIORITY IN FIRST QUEEN'S SPEECH'
Alan Milburn, Labour's election campaign co-ordinator, said today:... -
ELECTIONS 2005: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS LAUNCH THE REAL ALTERNATIVE
At the launch of the Liberal Democrat manifesto for the 2005 general election - entitled The Real Alternative - Par... -
ELECTIONS 2005: TRANSPORT AND EDUCATION ARE BUSINESS' PRIORITIES FOR PARTY MANIFESTOS SAYS BUSINESS CHIEF
Confederation of British Industry director general Digby Jones has set out the priorities business wants to see in ... -
EMPLOYEES MORE AWARE OF FLEXIBLE WORKING
More employees are aware of their right to request working flexible... -
ENCOURAGING HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC PLACES AND BUILDINGS
Scotland's new 'champion' for good architecture and design was formally launched today.... -
EO CALLS FOR COMPENSATION
Senior managers whose contracts are terminated by mutual agreement could receive up to two years' pay as compensati... -
EUROPEAN CONCERN AT MOUNTING ANTI-GYPSY FEELINGS
Europe's Roma and Traveller populations have been encouraged to 'take control of their own destiny' by spearheading... -
FEATURES - MEDIA WATCH
It's a torrid time for the turkey twizzler, says Chris Mahony... -
FIRE STATISTICS MONITOR: COVERING PERIOD TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2004
Latest national fire statistics covering the first nine months of... -
FRANK ASSESSMENT OF ICT PPPs
A new report from the Society of IT Management provides a frank assessment of public/private partnerships which, ac... -
FRESH PROPOSALS FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED MAYORS WELCOMED
The New Local Government Network has welcomed the announcement within the Labour Party's manifesto to explore new w... -
'FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE' NOT ADDRESSED BY NEW TUBE APPOINTMENT
Statement on the new Metronet chief executive* from Transport for London commissioner, Bob Kiley:... -
GENERAL ELECTION 2005 - TO VOTE OR NOT TO VOTE
They may not be ready to make the leap back to the Tories, but apathetic voters may still cost Labour dear. Colin R... -
GUIDANCE ON TACKLING ELECTION FRAUD PUBLISHED
Guidance on preventing and tackling electoral fraud* has been sent to all forces in England and Wales. The Associat... -
HEALTH SCRUTINY IMPROVES LOCAL SERVICES
Local authorities all over the country are using their new health scrutiny powers to achieve real improvements in l... -
HOMELESSNESS FEAR DEBUNKED BY BENEFITS PILOT
A pilot flat-rate housing benefit scheme has proved its worth and disproved claims that it would increase homelessn... -
HULL EDUCATION ON RAPID ROAD TO RECOVERY
Education at Kingston upon Hull City Council is showing dramatic signs of improvement.... -
IMPROVEMENT SERVICE TO BE LAUNCHED
The Improvement Service will be launched tomorrow at the annual conference of the Convention of Scottish Local Auth... -
LABOUR POLICY RECORD SLATED
LGC survey slams confusion and inconsistency... -
LEADER - POLICY PATCHWORK HOLED BY REGIONS
Time for ministers to get a grip on governance... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - APRIL FOOL?
While we await further guidance from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister concerning measurement of efficiency g... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - BOGUS COMPLAINTS
While systems promoting good conduct among councillors are welcome, there is concern around bogus complaints by cou... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - HIGH PRAISE
Congratulations on LGC's new design. I think it works brilliantly. ... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Anna Randle visited West Sussex, Birmingham and Wakefield during the course of her localism diary, but she didn't a... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - MISPLACED FOCUS
LGC's coverage of the efficiency agenda was short of its usual high standards (LGC, 1 April). ... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - OUT OF THE LOOP
I write in response to LGC's leader 'Backbenchers fail to make the grade' (LGC, 7 April), in which it states that m... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - STATING THE OBVIOUS
In Anna Randle's tour of localist England (LGC, 1 April), I have read some statements of the bleedin' obvious but '... -
LGC NEWS BRIEFS
Councils are using their new health scrutiny powers to secure improvements in local health services, according to a... -
LGC SURVEY - IT'S THEM AND US
In the second part of our exclusive survey of more than 850 managers, we look at bullying, central diktat, innovati... -
LICENSING BILL TO TACKLE LINK BETWEEN BINGE DRINKING AND CRIME
Measures to improve health and break the link between binge drinking and crime in Perth and Kinross, as well as els... -
LINCOLNSHIRE FAILS TO PICK NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL... -
LINCS FAILS TO APPOINT TOP JOB
Lincolnshire CC will not appoint a new chief executive, following interviews with candidates.... -
LOCAL AUTHORITY SMART CARD GRADUATES CONGRATULATED
Smart cards are modern, practical and an excellent way to make people's lives easier Tom McCabe said today.... -
LOCAL CRIME PARTNERSHIPS TO GET NATIONAL VOICE
Action Against Business Crime, a joint venture between the Home Office and the British Retail Consortium, is launch... -
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER'S AGENDA FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
Minister suggests that councils could share chief executives... -
LOTTERY FUNDING HELPS THE YOUNG LEARN ABOUT 'VE' DAY AND WAR TIME BRITAIN
As communities across the UK prepare to mark the 60th anniversary next month of the end of the Second World War in ... -
MAYORS WITH VISION, PASSION AND SKILLS SOUGHT
Between now and the end of May, the non-commercial internet platform City... -
MEDIATION FAILS TO AVERT GILBY SIX-DAY HEARING
A six-day hearing between North East Derbyshire DC and chief executive Carole Gilby went ahead after mediation fail... -
MENTOR - A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE GOES A LONG WAY
The FOI legislation may have had a quiet start but it's the beginning of a revolution. Rebecca Coombes guides you t... -
MENTOR - CHAIN GANG
The questions you never thought you could ask... -
MENTOR - IF I WERE YOU
A new job can be daunting - and exciting, says chief executive Rob Whiteman... -
MENTOR - JARGON BUSTER
What is the Women & Work Commission?... -
MENTOR - TOP TIPS
How to...beat the bureaucrats... -
MENTOR - YOUR NEXT MOVE
Kathryn Godfrey looks at the post of chief executive at Warwickshire CC ... -
MPs REPORT ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The home affairs select committee has published a report on anti-social behaviour*, focusing on three main aspects:... -
MPs SOUND FEARS OVER CHILDREN'S CASH
By Jennifer Taylor... -
'NEW FIGURES EXPOSE REVALUATION COUNCIL TAX BOMBSHELL'
Welsh bills soar by up to 7 times inflation in first year alone - England is next ... -
NEW HEAD OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S RURAL COMMISSION
Andrew Bowles has been appointed to chair the Local Government Association's rural commission.... -
NEW HEAD OF TEACHING UNION
The result of the election for the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers is as follows:... -
NEW PUBLIC SERVICE OMBUDSMAN SERVICE FOR WALES
A new 'one-stop' ombudsman service to deal with complaints about a range of public services in Wales will come into... -
NW ASSEMBLY IN TURMOIL
Tories quit 'worthless talking shop'... -
ON YOUR MIND - POLICY OFFICERS' UPHILL BATTLE
Central/local relations under strain the country over... -
OPINION - DAVID CURRY
On the campaign trail... -
PENSION COSTS RISE TO FILL HOLE
Stock market downturn sees funding levels tumble... -
POLICE URGE ACTION ON BULK POSTAL VOTES
Elections officers who receive requests to deliver bulk bundles of postal votes to one address should go immediatel... -
PRESSURE GROWS TO SHELVE FUNDING DEAL
Three-year budgets 'premature'... -
PRIMARY CARE TRUSTS PRAISED FOR FINDING RIGHT BALANCE
Primary care trusts have shown 'enterprise and innovation' in designing joint management structures that allow them... -
PUBLIC SECTOR UNION CHIEF QUITS
The GMB and Kevin Curran have today reached an amicable agreement designed to resolve recent disagreements between ... -
REDUNDANT DIRECTORS FACE LOSING PAY-OFF
Portsmouth City Council has been urged to reclaim thousands of pounds it paid out for director's redundancy package... -
REGULATORY SERVICES BOOSTED BY CONTINUED FUNDING IN 2005/6
Regulatory services departments have another opportunity to apply for funding to assist training placements in 2005... -
RELIEF AS ASPIRING FOUNDATION SCHOOLS TOLD THEY MUST CONSULT
The Local Government Association expressed relief today that the government has accepted that schools must consult ... -
RESTRICTED OCCUPANCY GOES AHEAD IN THE DALES
Virtually all new homes given planning permission in the Yorkshire Dales in the future can only be built for local ... -
ROVER: BIRMINGHAM LEADER WRITES TO TONY BLAIR
Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby has sent an urgent letter to prime minister Tony Blair asking him to ope... -
SCHOOL CLOSURES UNDER REVIEW
The 'emotive' issue of closing small schools is to be tackled by the Welsh Local Government Association.... -
SHORTLIST OF AREAS FOR RELOCATION OF GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Registers of Scotland, the agency responsible for land and property registration, has been examining alternative op... -
SOCIAL SERVICES FAIL ON ANTI-SOCIAL ROLE
Social services departments are doing too little to combat anti-social behaviour, MPs on the home affairs committee... -
STRUGGLERS APPOINT WOMEN CHIEF EXECS
By Jennifer Taylor... -
THINK-TANK SUPPORTS GREATER HOUSING ROLE
Councils in the south-east have welcomed calls by a think-tank for them to be given a strategic role to tackle hous... -
TONY TRAVERS - LOCAL GOVERNMENT WOULD GRIND TO A HALT WITHOUT IMMIGRATION
Immigration has become one of the key issues of the 2005 general election. The Conservatives have spearheaded the a... -
TORY MANIFESTO PROMISES POWER SHIFT
A Conservative general election victory would 'liberate local government', the party claimed in its manifesto.... -
TRANSPORT PPP PLAYER APPOINTS NEW CHIEF
Metronet Rail, responsible for the renewal of two thirds of the London Tube, yesterday announced the appointment of... -
UK'S FOREIGN LANGUAGE-LEARNING FAILURE AS BARRIER TO SUCCESS
Declining foreign language-learning capability is one of the main reasons why the UK is not making the most of oppo... -
UNION TO HELP REFUGEES FIND WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICES
Scottish councils and health boards are pioneering a Home Office-backed scheme to help offer refugees a route into ... -
VIEWPOINTS - WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE INSPECTION BURDEN?
'Have one cross-cutting, joined-up regulatory body, so the plethora of inspectorates are all in one place, working ... -
VOTERS URGED TO 'DO POLITICS'
Voters are being urged to have their say at the general election on 5 May... -
YOUNGEST EVER COUNTY CHIEF HEADS DURHAM
Durham CC has appointed what is believed to be the youngest county council chief executive, 37-year-old Mark Lloyd....
