Local Government Chronicle
18 February 1999
View all stories from this issue.
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2010 - TOWARDS A HEALTHIER SCOTLAND
A new drive to improve the health and well-being of Scotland's one million children and young people by the year 20... -
ACCOUNTS COMMISSION FINDINGS ON EAST AYRSHIRE COUNCIL DLO DEFICIT
The Accounts Commission has now completed its consideration of a public interest report into the£2.5m commercial o... -
ACCOUNTS COMMISSION: CHANGING PATTERN OF HOME CARE SERVICES IN SCOTLAND
Compared with three years ago, approximately 10,000 fewer people now receive some home help from Scottish councils,... -
ADDRESSING THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM IN THE UTILITIES
John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, reported to parliament today on what the utility regulators are doin... -
ANGUS REFUSES TO REINSTATE ALCOHOLIC DESPITE TRIBUNAL ORDER
Angus Council has defied an employment tribunal order and refused to reinstate an official who was sacked for drink... -
AREA COST ADJUSTMENT DELAY UNDER ATTACK FROM ALL SIDES
Hansard 11 Feb: Column 456 ... -
ARGYLL AND BUTE PLANS TO CUT HOURS AND PAY OF PART-TIME STAFF
Argyll and Bute Council is planning to cut the hours and pay of part-time workers at the authority as part of a pac... -
ARGYLL TO BREAK SPENDING LIMIT
Argyll and Bute Council is planning to exceed its guideline spending limit for 1999-2000. ... -
ARMSTRONG REJECTS BID FOR DUTY OF EQUALITY IN SERVICE CONTRACTS
A Commission for Racial Equality bid to place an equalities duty on councils when letting contracts has been reject... -
ASYLUM BURDEN ON COUNCILS WILL BE LIFTED, SAYS O'BRIEN
Hansard 15 February: Column 598 ... -
ASYLUM SEEKERS GET BAD PRESS
The Guardian (Society, p6) carries an article on the situation with asylum seekers, and says so much of the debate ... -
AUDITORS KILL COST OF BUREAUCRACY MYTH
An Audit Commission study has disproved the widely held notion that local education authorities squander money on b... -
BACKLASH OVER CHILDREN'S ID CARDS
The government-backed proof-of-age card which was launched yesterday has been attacked by human rights activists an... -
BARNSLEY MBC LAUNCHES NEW STRUCTURE
A new era in local democracy has been launched in Barnsley with the formal approval by borough councillors of a mod... -
BEXLEY BOLLARD APPEAL DISMISSED
A local highway authority which had arranged with the police to remove objects in certain roads in advance of a mar... -
BID TO REVIEW ANGLESEY AUDIT REPORT FAILS
A bid for a judicial review of public interest reports written by Isle of Anglesey CC district auditor Ceri Stradli... -
BIG RISE IN LITTER ON UK BEACHES
The 1998 Beachwatch survey has found that litter and other waste on Britain's beaches has increased by 24% since 19... -
BILL SEEKS NEW BOUNDARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
Hansard 17 Feb :Column 686 ... -
BILL WILL CLOSE DOWN PUPPY FARMS
Puppy farms which breed dogs in horrific conditions are set to be outlawed after a 10-year fight by MPs, reports th... -
BIRMINGHAM CITY CHIEF EXEC FACES QUESTIONING BY STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Michael Lyons, chief executive of Birmingham City Council, is to appear before the authority's standards committee ... -
BIRMINGHAM TO TRY NEW GREEN ANTI-GRAFFITI GEL
Environmental officers with Birmingham City Council are planning trials of an anti-graffiti gel, which contains ora... -
BIRMINGHAM TWO VOW TO RESIGN
Two Birmingham City Council Labour members have vowed to stand down because of the alleged mishandling of their com... -
BLACKPOOL, WYRE & FYLDE COUNCILS TO FORGE NEW ALLIANCE
The leaders of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde councils are proposing to launch a new alliance to give them a louder voic... -
BRADFORD OUTLINES REGENERATION CHALLENGE
Bradford MBC and the regional training and enterprise council have completed a far-reaching consultation designed t... -
BRIGHOUSE SAYS OFSTED GOT IT WRONG
Tim Brighouse, Birmingham City Council's chief education officer, has criticised Ofsted inspectors for 'wrongly' fa... -
BRIGHTON & HOVE BC FACES LEGAL TUSSLE AFTER REFUSING J SAINSBURY PLANNING PERMISSION
J Sainsbury, the supermarket group, is to challenge Brighton and Hove Council and the department of the environment... -
BROMSGROVE PROPOSES RATE CUTS FOR HEALTHY SOCIAL CLUBS
Bromsgrove DC has come up with proposals which would see social clubs in the area having their business rate nearly... -
BT MILLENNIUM BONUS SPURS ON PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS
Three unions covering the public sector said they would be using bonuses to be paid by BT to staff who worked mille... -
BUSINESS SURVEY BACKS A SINGLE EQUALITY COMMISSION
A survey of UK business leaders shows 70% in favour of setting up a single body to monitor gender, race, disability... -
CABORN SAYS PEOPLE WILL DECIDE ON REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES
Richard Caborn, the minister for the regions who has just had been appointed a privy councillor, has spoken of his ... -
CAERPHILLY IN COURT OVER FIRE TRAGEDY
Caerphilly CBC has denied claims by a couple who lost their three children in a house fire that the windows fitted ... -
CALL FOR REFORM OF LEAs IN ORDER TO FULFIL STANDARDS ROLL
Local education authorities should be more open about how much funding is passed on to schools, Audit Commission co... -
CALL FOR REVIVAL OF REGIONAL DEBATE
The government has asked the House of Commons modernisation committee to consider reviving a committee on regional ... -
CALL TO REGULATE GROWTH IN WORKPLANCE SURVEILLANCE - SUMMARY OF REPORT FROM INSTITUTE OF EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS
A report by the Institute of Employment Rights says that the surveillance of people at work needs to be controlled ... -
CAMBDRIDGESHIRE TO SAVE£1.7M PA BY PRIVATISING ELDERLY PEOPLE'S HOMES
Cambridgeshire CC has supported plans to transfer the authority's remaining 15 residential homes for the elderly to... -
CAMDEN LBC GETS TOUGH ON HIGH STREET POTHOLERS
Camden High Street in North London has been dug up 85 times in the last year - and the council is calling time on c... -
CAPITA LED CONSORTIUM GAINS APPROVAL TO BE ICT TRAINING PROVIDER FOR TEACHERS
The Learning Network, a consortium led by Capita Education Services, has been successful in its bid to become a pr... -
CAPITA SERVICES RISE
Leading white-collar contractor Capita saw pre-tax profits soar by nearly 50% last year, with the firm securing con... -
CAPITA'S 63% INCREASE IN CONTRACTS WON - AS FULL-YEAR PROFITS UNVEILED
The Capita Group Plc: A further outstanding year of growth ... -
CAR WARS OVER COUNCIL TRAFFIC FINES
Since the profit motive moved in with the transfer of parking enforcement to local authorities antagonism between u... -
CARMARTHENSHIRE EDUCATION STAFF DEMOSTRATE IN SUPPORT OF DIRECTOR
More than 80 education department staff at Carmarthenshire CC yesterday demonstrated in support of their chief offi... -
CASH SHORTAGE MEANS LIVES ARE IN DANGER ON ICY COUNTRY ROADS
Local authorities have said they would need four times thier present gritting budgets to ensure that minor roads ar... -
CCTV CAMERAS PASS ONE MILLION MARK
The number of closed-circuit television cameras in Britain's public places has now passed one million, according to... -
CITIZENCARD - THE NEW PROOF-OF-AGE CARD - DETAILS
An industry-led initiative to introduce a comprehensive national proof-of-of age card for young people was launched... -
COMMISSION'S FINDINGS ON FINANCIAL AFFAIRS OF FORMER COUNCILS AND STRATHCLYDE DEFICIT
The Accounts Commission has completed its consideration of public interest reports on the final year of regional an... -
COMPANY TO OFFER FREE INTERNET ACCESS TO SCHOOLS
Voss Net, a computer consultancy, has unveiled a deal under which it will provide schoolchildren, parents and teach... -
CONCERN OVER SNP PRIVATE FINANCE PLANS
The Scottish financial community reacted cautiously yesterday to a proposal from the Scottish National Party to rep... -
CONSERVATIVE PARTY LEADER PAYS TRIBUTE TO FORMER SOUTHAMPTON CLLR AND MP
Conservative party leader William Hague has paid tribute to former Southampton Test MP James Hill who has died. ... -
CONTROVERSIAL HOUSING PLANS FOR TEESIDE UNVEILED
The first draft strategy plan for the Tees Valley area proposes building 33,000 houses, including at least 5,000 on... -
CONVERT GRAMMARS INTO SPECIALIST SCHOOLS, SUGGESTS PEER
Hansard 17 Feb: Column 678 ... -
CORBY BOUNCES BACK AS MODEL OF REGENERATION
The East Midlands town of Corby lost more than 5,000 jobs in a single day in 1980 when the local steelworks closed.... -
COUNCILLORS HAVE CRUCIAL ROLE IN IMPROVING SERVICES TO CHILDREN
Councillors must accept fully their role and responsibilities as 'corporate parents' to children in care, said John... -
COUNCILS CLASH OVER LONDON FLIGHT PATHS
Kensington and Chelsea LBC has suggested that night flights should be banned from the skies over central London and... -
COUNCILS PLEAD FOR MORE CASH TO CUSHION THE ABOLITION OF GRANT-MAINTAINED SCHOOLS
The Times Educational Supplement (p3) reports the abolition of grant-maintained schools could place an unprecedente... -
COUNCILS TO POLICE GM LABELLING
Mandatory labelling of all genetically modified food sold in shops, takeaways and restaurants is to be introduced n... -
COUNCILS TRY TO CUT ROAD DEATHS BY CUTTING SPEED
Measures to slow down the speed of traffic on roads are being considered by a number of councils, reports The Heral... -
COUNCILS UNITE TO TRY AND SAVE MIDLANDS JOBS
Birmingham and Oxford City Councils and Solihull MBC have formed an alliance to mount a campaign to try and safegua... -
CRISIS IN THE FIRE SERVICE
London's fire service is in crisis, and the capital's fire authority meets tomorrow to decide whether to cut five f... -
CRITICAL OFFICIAL REPORT FINDS PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE FAILING TO PROTECT ASSETS OF THE MENTALLY ILL
Public Trust Office: Protecting the Financial Welfare of People with Mental Incapacity ... -
CRUMBLING SEVERN TUNNEL WORRIES PEERS
Hansard 17 Feb: Column 687 ... -
DARTFORD CROSSING TOLLS MAY CONTINUE
Hansard 15 Feb: Column 462 ... -
DATE FOR LONDON ASSEMBLY
Minister for London Nick Raynsford has told Parliament the capital's mayor and assembly will be open for business f... -
DEATHS IN ENGLAND AND WALES IN 1996
Deaths from coronary heart disease were highest in the North East region of England for both men and women - 17 and... -
DENBEIGHSHIRE GETS GOVERNMENT AID TO INVESTIGATE ITS FINANCIAL MESS
Hansard 11 Feb: Column 483 ... -
DEWAR URGES VOTERS - 'HAVE YOUR SAY IN MAY'
'Have Your Say in May.' That is the message from Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar to the people of Scotland. ... -
DISABLED GET BETTER DEAL - THANKS TO LGA
Disabled people will receive lower council tax bills, as a result of lobbying by the Local Government Association.... -
DLOs LIKELY TO BE HIT BY EDUCATION BUDGET REFORM
The transfer of building and maintenance funds from local authorities to schools could threaten the job security of... -
DOBSON DENIES ARM-TWISTING
Health secretary Frank Dobson has denied reports that the prime minister is pressuring him to stand for London mayo... -
DORMANT GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE FOR THE ENGLISH REGIONS LIKELY TO BE REVIVED
Margaret Beckett, leader of the commons, said the government was planning to reintroduce a committee that last sat ... -
EAST HAMPSHIRE STAFF DISPUTE TAX CONTRACT
East Hampshire DC staff have written to their chief executive protesting at the contracting out of the council tax ... -
ECO-WARRIERS PLAN TO HARASS COUNCILS OVER EMPTY HOMES
A new alliance of environmentalists and countryside groups will today begin a nationwide campaign of direct action ... -
EDINBURGH TO REGULATE BODY-PIERCING AND TATTOOING
The City of Edinburgh Council is about to approve licensing conditions for premises where body-piercing and tattooi... -
EIGHTY PER CENT OF HIGHER STILL COURSES READY TO START THIS YEAR
Parents and pupils in Scotland got their first clear indication this week of the new Higher Still courses that will... -
EMPLOYERS AIM FOR 2.5% PAY INCREASE
Local government employers aim to settle for a pay rise of just over 2.5% this year. ... -
EMPTY SCHOOL PLACES STILL AN ISSUE - ACCOUNTS COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
Scotland's councils still need to tackle the long-running problem of under-occupied schools. ... -
EURO GRANTS TO BE PAID UPFRONT
Ministers have agreed to pay councils forced to wait for European regional development fund grants upfront then rec... -
EUROPEAN FUNDING SPEEDED UP
Hundreds of charities, small businesses and local authorities will be among those able to benefit from an improved ... -
EUROPEAN PAYMENTS TO BE SPEEDED UP - SCOTLAND
Organisations in Scotland are to receive almost£14m in outstanding European funding claims following the introduct... -
EVICTED FAMILY TO SUE CALDERDALE
A family facing eviction for antisocial behaviour is threatening to sue Calderdale MBC for smearing its name. ... -
EX-NOLAN PEER URGES PR VOTING
A former member of the Nolan committee on standards in public life has claimed a proportional representation voting... -
FEARS FOR TEACHERS' JOBS UNDER PERFORMANCE-RELATED PAY SCHEME
David Hart, the general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, has warned that teachers jobs could... -
FEARS THAT RDAs COULD HINDER ASSEMBLY HOPES
Rita Stringfellow, a member of the North East Regional Development Agency and leader of North Tyneside MBC, has den... -
FINAL CURTAIN LOOMS AS THEATRES FACE DEBTS CRISIS
Some of Britain's leading theatres could close because of massive debts caused by dwindling audiences and grant cut... -
FORMER COUNCIL'S DEBT TO BE INVESTIGATED - CHIEF EXEC TO BE GRILLED BY MPS
Welsh MPs are to launch an inquiry into how the former Rhuddlan BC ran up a£7m debt. ... -
FREE CARE FOR ELDERLY COULD ADD£5BN TO SPENDING
Royal Commission proposals to make nursing and personal care for the elderly free outside hospital would eventually... -
FRINTON IN FLAP OVER BAR BLIGHT
A seaside town whose main street is regarded as 'The Bond Street of Essex' is about to be blighted with its first p... -
GLASGOW NEEDS CASH INJECTION TO SAVE MITCHELL LIBRARY
Glasgow City Council has said that the city's Mitchell Library, the largest public reference library in Europe, is ... -
GMB FACES STRIKE OVER STAFF HARASSMENT
John Edmonds, the GMB union leader who has fought a long campaign against bullying bosses, is threatened with a str... -
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NATION AUDIT OF POVERTY
Alistair Darling, the social security secretary, will today announce a national audit of poverty in Britain to be p... -
GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES ISSUED 9-11 FEBRUARY
If you require press releases not found on LGCnet, contact us on 0171 833 7324/5. ... -
GOVERNMENT TO ANNOUNCE SHAKE-UP OF PLANNING RULES
The government will today announce proposals to strengthen and co-ordinate planning procedures with the introductio... -
GOVERNMENT TO GIVE GO-AHEAD TO TOWN EXTENSION PLANS
The government is to back controversial 'town extensions' to make it easier to build on greenfield land and solve t... -
GOVERNMENT WILLING TO REVIEW GUIDELINES FOR DEFENDING POLICE
Hansard 15 Feb: Column 593 ... -
GOVERNMENT'S RAIDS ON LOCAL AUTHORITY COFFERS COULD INCREASE RISK TO ROAD USERS - TORIESRD
'It is no surprise that rural councils are unable to grit the roads this winter,' said Gillian Shephard, shadow sec... -
GROWING OLDER IN THE COUNTRYSIDE - NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Princess Royal, president of the Rural Housing Trust, will attend a conference of national significance in Warw... -
GUIDANCE FOR CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS AND NEW DEAL PROJECTS IN WALES
Welsh education minister Peter Hain has issued guidelines to help schools offer 'New Deal' participants the opportu... -
HACKNEY LBC DRAWS UP FAR-REACHING PLAN TO COMBAT RACISM
Hackney LBC has drawn up guidelines to root out racial discrimination after it was accused of 'persistent managemen... -
HACKNEY LBC PLANS PHOTOFIT SCHEME TO CUT HOUSING FRAUD
Hackney LBC plans to photograph new council house tenants in a bid to reduce fraud, reports the Hackney Gazette (p2... -
HEAD TEACHERS THREATEN NEW DEAL OVER PAY
Head teachers will confront education secretary David Blunkett this week by threatening to block his plans for teac... -
HEALTHY NEIGHBOURHOODS SHOULD BE EVERYONE'S INITIATIVE, SAYS KING'S FUND REPORT
Neighbourhoods across the country should have the opportunity to make themselves healthier places in which to live,... -
HERITAGE/OUTSTANDING POST-WAR BUILDINGS
Some of the finest examples of post-war buildings, including public sector housing, have been listed by arts minist... -
HOLIDAYMAKERS WORKING IN UK SCHOOLS HIDE EXTENT OF TEACHER SHORTAGE
New official figures have revealed that hundreds of working holidaymakers to Britain are taking temporary jobs as t... -
HOME OFFICE TO CUT OFF SUPPORT FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO TAKE CASE TO HIGH COURT
Proposals to be introduced by the home office mean that asylum seekers who try to launch a high court challenge ove... -
HOSTEL PLAN FOR LONE MOTHERS CONSIDERED
The government is planning a network of special hostels to house unmarried teenage mothers, with a home in most tow... -
HOUSING ALLOCATION REFORM IS NOT ENOUGH ON ITS OWN SAYS CIH
Allocation reform, top of the housing minister's list for legislation before the end of the current parliament, wil... -
HUGE EXHIBITION FOR BIRMINGHAM
The biggest exhibition on British soil since 1881 is being staged at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre - than... -
HUGHES IN THE RUNNING FOR LIB DEM LEADERSHIP
Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat MP, has ruled himself out of the running to be mayor of London, reports The Inde... -
IMPROVEMENT AGENCY RECRUITS
The Improvement and Development Agency will appoint assistant directors to oversee training and good practice. ... -
ISLINGTON CONSIDERS£7.50 TOLLS FOR DRIVERS
Islington LBC is considering proposals to introduce a traffic cordon in the borough which could see drivers charged... -
KINGSTON UPON THAMES LEAVES TOP JOB OPEN FOR YEAR
Kingston upon Thames LBC has decided to leave its chief executive post vacant for more than a year until government... -
LEADER REBUTTS CHARGES AGAINST PRESTON COUNCIL
Preston BC Leader Peter Rankin, in a letter to the editor of The Observer (p30), writes: ... -
LEICESTER FOOTBALL CLUB HIGHLIGHTS SIMILARITIES WITH COVENTRY STADIUM SCHEME
Leicester City Football Club will be attempting to persuade city councillors to consider their plans to build a new... -
LGA ABSENTEES COST LABOUR POLICY VOTE
A Local Government Association committee attended by a minister agreed a motion criticising the government because ... -
LGA CAMPAIGNS FOR MORE CASH TO RAISE SCHOOL STANDARDS
Schools are asking the government for an assurance that£1.1bn allocated to raise standards in schools will not be ... -
LGMB SECONDMENT FOR CUMBRIA OFFICER TO PROMOTE LOCAL DEMOCRACY
Cumbria CC's John Brown has been seconded to the Local Government Management Board to help develop the Democracy Ne... -
LIDDELL TAKES ACTION TO TACKLE VIOLENCE IN SCOTTISH SCHOOLS
Scottish education minister Helen Liddell has taken further action to strengthen the government's efforts to tackle... -
LIVERPOOL APPEALS TO PRIVATE SECTOR TO TACKLE SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL GOVERNORS
Liverpool City Council has launched a campaign to recruit members of the business community to fill 300 vacant scho... -
LIVINGSTONE FACES POLL BAN AND 'NUMBER 10 RIFT AS PRESCOTT BACKS LIVINGSTONE'
Ken Livingstone faces disqualification from seeking nomination as Labour candidate for London mayor following his d... -
LIVINGSTONE SPELLS OUT MAYORAL AMBITIONS
Ken Livingstone last night received a standing ovation from 1,000 people who attended a rally supporting his call t... -
LOCAL AUTHORITY REORGANISATION HAS LESSONS FOR THE NHS
In the forthcoming reorganisation of health trusts, NHS chiefs should learn from the problems of the last reorganis... -
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMEN INVESTIGATION REPORTS ISSUED SINCE 4 FEB - HOUSING BENEFIT & LOCAL TAXATION
Findings of maladministration and injustice ... -
LONDON AUTHORITIES ARE BRACING THEMSELVES FOR MILLENNIUM EVE CROWDS
London is preparing to play host to hundreds of thousands of party-goers on millennium eve, reports the Caterer & H... -
LONDON BOROUGH LAUNCHES NATIONAL LOTTERY WEBPAGE
Havering LBC is claiming a first with its own dedicated national lottery webpage. ... -
LONDON COUNCILS DISCUSS CIVILIAN STREET PATROLS WITH POLICE
Discussions are taking place between the Metropolitan Police and three local authorities in London for civilian pat... -
LONG-SERVING DURHAM CC MEMBER DIES
Dave Wood, a member of Durham CC for nearly 22 years, died at his home yesterday of what is thought to be a heart a... -
MAJOR COMPANIES COMMITTED TO EDUCATIONAL ACTION ZONES
Hansard 11 Feb: Column 448 ... -
MANCHESTER IN ON LGA ACTION
Manchester City Council has decided to play an active role in the Local Government Association, ending two years of... -
MANCHESTER IS TOP BIDDER FOR HUMBERSIDE AIRPORT
Council-owned Manchester Airport is set to take over Humberside Airport after being named as preferred buyer. ... -
MANDARIN CALLS FOR URGENT SERVICE ACTION
Planning for best value is an urgent priority but councils' consultations are falling short, senior officers heard ... -
MATHER SUSPENDED FROM TOP POST
Former Wakefield MDC chief executive Roger Mather has been suspended from a top police authority post as a long-run... -
MEMBER APPEALS DESELECTION AT LIVERPOOL
Liverpool City Council member Jack Spriggs is appealing against deselection by the Labour Party. ... -
MILLENNIUM BUG - SCOTLAND'S COUNCIL LEADERS TAKE THE PLEDGE
Leaders of Scotland's councils have signed a public action pledge to ensure that the millennium problem does not di... -
MILLION POUND HI-TECH TRAINING BOOST FOR SCOTTISH FIREFIGHTERS
Safety for Scotland's firefighters was given a major boost today with the opening by Henry McLeish of a£1.1m state... -
MORGAN-MICHAEL BATTLE HOTS UP IN WALES
The Guardian (p9) carries a report on the battle between Alun Michael, the Welsh secretary, and Rhodri Morgan for t... -
MOVE TO CHANGE RULES ON WELSH BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION
Hansard 17 Feb: Column 686 ... -
N SOMERSET CALLS FOR OVERHAUL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE
Council chiefs in North Somerset are to ask the government to overhaul the way local government is financed. ... -
NEIGHBOUR FROM HELL TO SUE CALDERDALE MBC
The Sun (Feb 13, p19) reported that a man who has moved house ten ... -
NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL AREAS TO SHAPE TRANSPORT FUTURE
The decentralisation of transport presents the Highlands and Islands with a unique opportunity to ensure the travel... -
NEW PROJECT DEALS WITH YOUTH CRIME, DRUG ABUSE, SEXUAL HEALTH AND SCHOOL FAILURES IN SCOTLAND
Cranhill and neighbouring Ruchazie are to jointly host one of three innovative new Scottish pilot projects, which a... -
NEW SCOTTISH PLANNING GUIDELINES TO ENHANCE RURAL LIFE AND SUPPORT LAND REFORM
New planning guidelines 'will underpin land reform and result in fundamental and enduring improvements to rural lif... -
NEW STRATEGIC STATEMENT FOR RURAL WALES ANNOUNCED
More than 160 organisations with an interest in rural issues will be consulted on a new Strategic Statement for Rur... -
NON-BEACON STAFF FACE CAREER SUICIDE
Working in poorly perceived councils could be career suicide once the government's beacon scheme comes into force, ... -
OFFICERS' BODIES PROPOSE JOINT LONDON BASE
Professional bodies representing top officers may set up a joint secretariat in London, it was proposed last week.... -
ORDER SETTING UP COUNTRYSIDE AGENCY APPROVED
Hansard 15 Feb: Column 530 ... -
OTTERBURN INQUIRY REOPENED
Hansard 17 Feb:Column 680 ... -
OXFORDSHIRE AND ESSEX CCs SET BUDGETS
Oxfordshire county councillors struggling to protect services from ... -
PARTIES CLASH ON REGIONAL SEATS
Local Government Association Conservatives are claiming that Labour chair Sir Jeremy Beecham agrees the composition... -
PARTIES UNITE AGAINST FUNDING DEAL FAILURE
The government's failure to reform the area cost adjustment has come under attack from all parties, as MPs continue... -
PARTNERSHIP IS AT THE CENTRE OF THE NEW HEALTH BILL
Health care will be delivered more efficiently and effectively thanks to joint partnerships with local government ... -
PEERS FORCE CLIMBDOWN OVER 'BUREAUCRATIC GOVERNMENT BY DECREE'
Hansard 15 Feb: Column 465 ... -
PENSION DEAL FOR COUNCIL STAFF WHO TRANSFER OUT
Ground-breaking arrangements being proposed in the Local Government Bill, to be debated in parliament tomorrow, wil... -
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR SCOTTISH COUNCILS POINT WAY FORWARD
Scottish councils are making progress in improving their services but much work is still to be done local governmen... -
PFI MEANS PRIVATISATION, SAYS LABOUR MP
Hansard 10 Feb: Column 287 ... -
PHONE CARDS - NOT ALL THEY CLAIM TO BE FINDS HACKNEY TSOs
Phone cards are not all they claim says Hackney LBC's commercial standards unit which recently took part in a surve... -
PLEA FOR BROWN TO GIVE BUDGET BOOST TO BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT
Glyn Pichford, property spokesman for the Midland branch of the Institute of Directors, has called on Gordon Brown ... -
PLEA FOR NEEDS-WEIGHTED ELEMENT IN SCHOOLS ALLOCATION REJECTED
Hansard 11 Feb: Column 450 ... -
POLICE PENSIONS PROPOSALS SOON, SAYS MINISTER
Hansard 15 February: Column 590 ... -
POLICE TAP INTO TELEPHONE LEAK
Humberside police are investigating the leak of a confidential report on council-owned telecommunications firm King... -
PR VOTING DELAYED UNTIL AFTER GENERAL ELECTION
Tony Blair is to ask Labour party members and trade unions if he should ditch proposals to adopt proportional repre... -
PRESCOTT SPELLS OUT PLANS FOR RUN-DOWN COMMUNITIES
John Prescott, the environment secretary, gives a preview of today's announcement of the next stage of the governme... -
PRIME MINISTERIAL ACCOLADE FOR LEEDS COUNCIL SERVICE CENTRE
Leeds City Council's pioneering one-stop centre for council services ... -
PRIVATE APARTMENT RENTALS 'ARE KEY TO REVIVING INNER CITY'
One charity has set out to prove that new inner-city housing on disused land makes economic as well as environmenta... -
PUBLIC BODIES 1998 AND EXECUTIVE NDPBs 1998 REPORT PUBLISHED
Welcoming the publication of both Public Bodies 1998 and the Executive NDPBs 1998 Report, Peter Kilfoyle MP said: ... -
PUBLIC FINANCES HEADING FOR BIG SURPLUS
Last month's£12.5bn cash surplus in the government's finances has raised hopes of a merciful budget on 9 March, ac... -
RACE BODY TO INVESTIGATE POLICE BIAS
The Commission for Racial Equality will be given powers to investigate police behaviour in the wake of the publicat... -
RAILTRACK PLEDGES TO INVEST BILLIONS INTO NETWORK
Railtrack is to pour billions of pounds of investment into Britain's failing railway network to try to avoid sancti... -
RDA 'NO THREAT TO ELECTED ASSEMBLY' SAYS MINISTER
Richard Caborn, the minister of the regions, has dismissed concerns that the north east regional development agency... -
REDCAR AND CLEVELAND TOWN WINS GLOBAL TOURISM AWARD
A three-member delegation representing Redcar and Cleveland BC has flown to the United Arab Emirates to collect a g... -
REFUGEES GET 'GHETTOS' FROM GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN COMMUNITIES WARN HOUSING EXPERTS
Refugees, sent to live in the worst housing estates as a result of likely proposals in the government's Immigration... -
REPORT ON ABOLITION OF THE FEUDAL SYSTEM IN SCOTLAND WELCOMED BY DEWAR
Proposals to scrap the feudal system have been welcomed by Scottish secretary Donald Dewar. ... -
RHONDDA WORKING TO HELP BUSINESS
Russell Roberts, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC, has said that, with the Welsh assembly, central and local go... -
ROAD MAINTENANCE GOES GREEN IN WARWICKSHIRE
In an ongoing drive to reduce the amount of tarmac being used on some of our roads, Warwickshire CC's network manag... -
RULE CHANGES MEAN GLASGOW'S HOUSING IS DETERIORATING
The Herald (p13) carries a report on the poor condition of many older properties in Glasgow, following the release ... -
SCOTS MINISTER CHALLENGES LENDERS TO BRING IN BILLIONS FOR HOUSING REVOLUTION
Financial institutions across Scotland have been challenged by Scottish housing minister Calum MacDonald to step up... -
SCOTS TORIES SEEK PRIVATISATION OF DLOs
The Scottish Conservative Party has adopted a policy to actively pursue the privatisation of DLOs, preferably to st... -
SCOTTISH ABSTRACT OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED
The latest edition of the Scottish Abstract of Statistics, published by The Scottish Office, contains a vast range ... -
SCOTTISH FINANCE FRAMEWORK APPROVED
Hansard 15 Feb: Column 532 ... -
SCOTTISH FOREIGN LANGUAGES DRIVE WELCOMED BY PEERS
Hansard 11 Feb: Column 319 ... -
SECRECY OF PUBLIC BODIES OVER ABSENTEEISM
A survey by The Northern Echo (12 Feb, p12) found that many public bodies were unwilling to reveal figures for abse... -
SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL WINS GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR PROMOTING WORK WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
The government has announced that Sheffield is to receive£600,000 over three years to fund work with young childre... -
SHELTER CALLS FOR LAW CHANGE ON REHOUSING HOMELESS
Shelter, the homelessness charity, will today claim that despite promises made by Tony Blair two years ago, there i... -
SNP LAUNCHES PLAN TO REPLACE PFI IN SCOTLAND
The Scottish National Party will today announce plans to replace the private finance initiative with a Scottish Pub... -
SNP PROMISES TO ABOLISH SCOTTISH HOMES
Proposals by the Scottish National Party to be unveiled in the run-up to the party's special conference next month ... -
SNP'S SCOTTISH PUBLIC SERVICES TRUST IS FANTASY FINANCE - GALBRAITH
Scottish health minister Sam Galbraith has issued a point-by-point rebuttal of the SNP's plans to replace PFI proje... -
SOUTHERN COUNTIES PLAN BIG COUNCIL TAX RISES
County councils in south-east England will this week establish a firm trend by increasing council tax by double the... -
SOUTHWARK FACE TOUGH CHOICES IN REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
Residents of council properties owned by Southwark LBC are said to be worried that the council may sell off their h... -
SOUTHWARK'S TO OPEN MAJOR NEW PUBLIC BUILDING WITH PUBLIC FINANCE
The Guardian's architecture page (sect 2, p10) looks at plans by Southwark LBC to raise the Peckham district's prof... -
STAFF THREATEN STRIKE FOR 'SCAPEGOAT' BOSS
Education department teachers and staff at Carmarthenshire CC are prepared to strike in support of director of educ... -
STAFF TO BLAME FOR HALF OF FRAUD
Eighty-one of 161 cases of fraud detected by Scottish councils last year were perpetrated by staff, according to th... -
STATISTICS OFFICE HOPES TO SAVE£20M THROUGH JOB CUTS
An effiency review at the Office for National Statistics could make savings of£20m a year but may lead to as many ... -
STEVE BASSAM IN CONTRACTS ROW
Brighton and Hove Council leader Steve Bassam was said by The Sunday Times (p4) to be used as a Labour party 'fixer... -
STRAW LOOKS AT POLICE FUNDING FORMULA
Hansard 15 Feb: Column 584 ... -
SURVEY PREDICTS LARGE LONDON COUNCIL TAX RISES
According to a survey by The Evening Standard, all but seven of London's 33 local authorities are proposing council... -
SURVEY REVEALS LARGE ENGLISH COUNCIL TAX INCREASES
A Daily Mail survey (p14) of English county councils and metropolitan authorities has shown that the UK is on cours... -
TASK FORCE SAYS URBAN PIONEERS AND SETTLERS WILL LEAD PEOPLE BACK TO THE CITIES
A new report by the government's Urban Task Force predicts that city living will come back into fashion in the 21st... -
TEACHERS BACK SOME REFORM OF PAY SYSTEM
An NOP survey carried out on behalf of the NASUWT has found that the majority of teachers are willing to accept the... -
TECS SEEK DEFINITION OF ROLE
Training and enterprise councils are pressing the government to end uncertainty over their future role with the adv... -
TELEGRAPH PROFILES CHRIS WOODHEAD
The Daily Telegraph (Feb 13, p23) ran a feature interview with Chris Woodhead, chief inspector of schools, in which... -
TENANT PARTICIPATION DELIVERS THE GOODS
New research carried out nation-wide on behalf of The Tenants and Residents Association of England (TAROE) and The ... -
TENDRING GIVES GO-AHEAD TO PUB IN 'DRY' SEASIDE TOWN
Tendring DC has given planning permission for a public house in the 'dry' seaside town of Frinton-on-Sea, despite t... -
THE FIRE SERVICE COLLEGE LAUNCHES NEW PROSPECTUS
The Fire Service College, the UK's leading authority on fire and fire safety training, has published its annual pro... -
THE SCOTTISH COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL ON TRIBUNALS - ANNUAL REPORT
John Elliot, chairman of the Scottish Committee of the Council on Tribunals, has launched the organisation's 13th a... -
THE TIMES' TRIBUTE TO BETH WAGSTAFF
The Times (p25) publishes an obituary for Beth Wagstaff, assistant chief executive of Hertfordshire CC, who died of... -
THURROCK'S SMOKING RULES HAVE MAJOR IMPLICATIONS
The Herald (p18) looks at the legal implications of Thurrock BC's plans to penalise its workers for time spent smok... -
TOP CIVIL SERVANT IN WELSH OFFICE ANNOUNCED
The government has announced that the new permanent secretary to the Welsh Office will be John Shortridge, the depa... -
TOP CLASS TUITION FOR GIFTED CHILDREN
Gifted children in every city will be given the chance to attend masterclasses run by the most expert teachers, acc... -
TOP SCOTTISH LOCAL GOVERNMENT SALARIES REVEALED
Scotland on Sunday carried a special supplement detailing how much people in different sectors of Scottish society ... -
TOP STATE SCHOOL HEAD SUSPENDED AFTER AUDIT
The head teacher of a leading state school has been suspended over allegations of financial impropriety, reported T... -
TRAM SYSTEM BID FOR LONDON
The government-funded Cross River Partnership, which represents Southwark, Lambeth and Westminster LBCs as well as ... -
UNCERTAINTY OVER MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS
Andrew Stuart, the chairman of CfBT Education Services, the company which put in a bid to run a Surrey CC school, s... -
UNIONS PRESS FOR BETTER PAY FOR COUNCIL CARPENTERS
Local authority craftsmen want their basic rates increased to the same level as electrical and mechanical operative... -
UNIQUE AGREEMENT LEADS TO NEW POWERS
Local government has won new contracting powers following ground-breaking consensus between unions, contractors and... -
VIOLENCE 'NOT A SUPRISE TO GLASGOW SOCIAL WORKERS'
The large disparity between the Scottish and English statistics available on the number of assualts on social work ... -
VOLUNTARY SECTOR BRINGS PEOPLE BACK INTO WORK - BUT GOVERNMENT HELP NEEDED TO BUILD JOB CREATION
'At a time when Europe is experiencing high unemployment, the third sector has a critical part to play in creating ... -
WALSALL JOBS ROW OFFICER SUSPENDED
Walsall MBC's community communications officer and Unison convenor, Andy Bradley, who was allegedly involved in a '... -
WELSH EDUCATION MINISTER DEFENDS PERFORMANCE-RELATED PAY
Peter Hain, Welsh education minister, says the majority of teachers will be paid more under the proposed performanc... -
WELSH OFFICE DISPOSES OF EMPTY HOMES
Welsh housing minister Jon Owen Jones has announced that the Welsh Office has been successful in disposing of the v... -
WELSH SECRETARY ANNOUNCES CASH FOR URGENT ACTION TO BOOST TOURISM
Welsh secretary Alun Michael has announced additional cash to give an urgent boost to tourism in the current financ... -
WELSH SECRETARY EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Welsh secretary Alun Michael said that the national assembly must promote sustainable development. ... -
WELSH SSA REVIEW TO BE PUBLISHED THIS MONTH
Hansard 11 Feb: Column 483 ... -
WELSH TOWNS JOIN BATTLE TO WIN CITY STATUS
Two Welsh towns, Wrexham and Newport, have announced their intention to bid to become cities, according to The West... -
WELSH TOWNS RACE TO BECOME A CITY
Wrexham CBC launches its bid for city status on Monday, reports the Western Mail (p6). ... -
WESTMINSTER DETERMINED TO HAVE THE LOWEST COUNCIL TAX
Westminster City Council is set to claim the lowest council tax in the country - despite a proposed 7.7% increase i... -
WHITE PAPER GIVEN A HEALTHY WELCOME BY COSLA
COSLA has given a welcome to the government's White Paper 'Towards a Healthier Scotland' which was published today....
