Local Government Chronicle
21 October 2004
View all stories from this issue.
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£1.2BN HOUSING INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
The Scottish Parliament was told yesterday that the recently announced£1.2bn targeted on affordable housing in the... -
£16M REGENERATION PROJECT FOR RHONDDA CYNON TAFF
Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC has secured almost£1m funding from the Welsh Assembly Governments' Physical Regeneration fu... -
£6.7M BOOST FOR HEATING IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY WEEK
Schools heated by environment-friendly biomass are among ten schemes... -
ACSeS CONFERENCE REPORT - ETHICAL PLAN SET FOR NEXT CPA
The new ethical framework for local government is set to be a key component of comprehensive performance assessment... -
ACSeS CONFERENCE REPORT - HALF OF MISCONDUCT CASES MUST HAVE THE LOCAL TOUCH
At least 50% of misconduct cases are to be handled locally, says the Standards Board's head of legal services Chris... -
ACSeS CONFERENCE REPORT - INSURANCE POLICY FOR DISCIPLINARIES
Insurance policies may be developed for members involved in disciplinary cases.... -
ADULT CARE PAPER MAY BE REDUNDANT
The delayed green paper on adult care may prove superfluous, local government leaders have warned.... -
ANALYSIS - IMAGE PROBLEM TRIPS RECRUITMENT DRIVE
By Kerry Lorimer... -
ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR MEASURES COME INTO FORCE
New measures coming into force yesterday as a result of the Antisocial Behaviour Act passed by the Scottish Parliam... -
APOLOGY
LGC would like to apologise to Pat Watters, president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, for a story ... -
APPEAL COURT CONFIRMS PLANNING APPROVAL FOR BICESTER ACCOMMODATION CENTRE
Welcoming the Court of Appeal's decision to uphold planning approval... -
BACKLASH FEAR SEES SEVERANCE PAY AXED
By Kerry Lorimer, finance editor... -
BLACKPOOL SLAMS POOL CASE TIMESCALE
Blackpool BC has criticised the time taken to bring to court a case in which it was fined£120,000 after a child di... -
BLAND BANNED AFTER INDECENCY CONVICTION
Former Wokingham DC councillor Nelson Bland has been banned from office on any council until 2009, after being conv... -
BUS PASSENGER JOURNEYS 2003/04
The Department for Transport today publishes National Statistics on... -
CALL FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY BUSINESS GROWTH INCENTIVE SCHEME TO BE EXPANDED
The financial scope of the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive scheme ought to be expanded in order to genera... -
CARDIFF'S PLANS FOR TAXI DEREGULATION RECEIVE LEGAL BACKING
ia... -
CHILDREN BILL AMENDMENT INTRODUCES NATIONAL FOSTERING ALLOWANCES
The Fostering Network has welcomed the government's decision to introduce an amendment to the Children Bill today g... -
CHILDREN TO BE SAFEGUARDED UNDER NEW SCHEME
A project offering children a safe retreat if they feel under threat is to be rolled out across Derbyshire followin... -
CHILDREN'S SOCIAL WORK STATISTICS 2003-2004
The latest Children's Social Work statistics presents findings from a range of statistics to paint an overall pictu... -
COMMENT - EFFICIENCY DRIVE PROVES FLAWED
Since the contents of the Gershon efficiency review were leaked earlier this year, it has been widely taken for gra... -
CONCERN THAT 1996 EDUCATION ACT FAILING
jrb... -
CONFERENCE ROUND-UP
A leading social care training body has drawn up a strategy to end the 'inconsistent approach to leadership and man... -
CONVICTION OF NOISE OFFENDER RULED SAFE
nwa... -
CONWY SIGNS UP FOR BETTER SERVICES
Local government minister Sue Essex and Conwy CBC leader Emlyn Davies have concluded an agreement aimed at raising ... -
COUNCIL EXPRESSES SADNESS AT DEATH OF JOHN PEEL
Leaders at Suffolk CC have sent messages of condolences to the family of broadcaster John Peel, who died suddenly w... -
COUNCIL OBJECTS TO NEW PARLIAMENTARY BOUNDARIES
Wakefield MDC is to object to proposed changes to parliamentary constituency boundaries affecting the Wakefield dis... -
COUNCIL PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS FRONTLINE SOCIAL SERVICES
The Department of Health started work with local councils today as... -
'COUNCIL TAX INCREASES SOAR BY ALMOST 100% IN EIGHT YEARS '
Council tax increases in some counties have soared by almost 100% during... -
COUNCIL'S HANDLING OF TODDLER RAPE CASE TO BE INVESTIGATED
Scotland's Social Work Services Inspectorate is to investigate North Lanarkshire Council's handling of the James Ca... -
CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU: DELIVERING SAFER RECRUITMENT
It is important that the Criminal Records Bureau sets its priorities to ensure that proper protection is extended t... -
CSCI BACKS SURPRISE SERVICE INSPECTIONS
More unannounced inspections and greater self-assessment will form the backbone of a radical reform of social servi... -
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR APPOINTED FOR CHILDREN'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Liz Morrey has been appointed development director for the shadow... -
DIARY - TOULMIN SMITH
Hats off... -
DISTRICT CPA: NORTH CORWALL, WARWICK 'EXCELLENT' AND THREE 'WEAK' IN LATEST TRANCHE
The following reports are published today in the comprehensive performance assessment of district councils. Click t... -
DoH RIFT WITH TREASURY OVER EFFICIENCY TARGETS
By Kerry Lorimer, finance editor... -
'DON'T MESS UP THE CITY - CARRY AN ASHTRAY'
Smokers in Liverpool are being urged not to mess up the city - by carrying their own personal ashtrays with them.... -
EFFICIENCY REVIEW WILL HIT REGIONS
By Mark Smulian... -
ENVIRONMENT MINISTER CALLS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO 'WORK TOGETHER' ON WASTE
There are challenges ahead in waste management, but these can 'open... -
EURO FUNDING FOR EAST OF SCOTLAND
Twenty projects across the East of Scotland have been awarded European grants worth a total of£2,058,821 in the la... -
EXTENSION OF ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR PROGRAMME
Fifty anti-social behaviour action areas will be announced today, BBC Radio... -
FEATURES - BELITTLE BRITAIN
Not even Boris Johnson could apologise enough for this sorry country... -
FEATURES - FEAR AND LOATHING
Public inquiries, trial by media and poor training have left council lawyers scared to take on high-profile and con... -
FEATURES - JUDGMENT DAY
Monitoring officers will soon be in a position to run the rule over alleged misconduct. But are their powers suffic... -
FEATURES - KING FOR A DAY
Alison King knows how to fill her time - LGA board chair, Norfolk CC leader, scourge of the Cabinet. And then it's ... -
FEATURES - OPENING NIGHT
The introduction of the Freedom of Information Act creeps ever closer, but a worrying number of bodies ... -
FLY TIPPING CRACKDOWN
Flytippers who are blighting the East Dorset countryside by illegally disposing of household, garden and building w... -
'FOR THE NORTH-WEST TO PROSPER, CUMBRIA MUST PROSPER'
The North West Regional Assembly has welcomed the Sustainable Cumbria Strategy, launched at Carlisle Racecourse on ... -
FROM THE TOP - TO THE POWER OF THREE
Single unitaries fall short, says Anne Bingham-Holmes... -
GETTING CITIZENS INVOLVED: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL
Single community programme funding is leading to greater involvement of deprived communities in influencing local d... -
GOOD DOG CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES ONLINE LOCAL AUTHORITY AWARDS 2004
The Good Dog Campaign (GDC) has announced that the 2004 Local Authority Awards will take place on 11 February 2005.... -
GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP ON ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
Behavioural changes so far by people and businesses to help tackle... -
GROWTH IN MILTON KEYNES AND SOUTH MIDLANDS WILL DELIVER MUCH MORE THAN NEW HOMES
Housing growth in Milton Keynes and South Midlands will be... -
HOME OFFICE PRAISES HARTLEPOOL FOR CRIME REDUCTION
Efforts to reduce theft related crime in Hartlepool have been praised by the Home Office. ... -
HUNTER ALARM FOR EFFICIENCY DRIVE
The new president of the Association of Directors of Social Services has warned that funding pressures will leave c... -
I'M A COUNCILLOR GET ME OUT OF HERE! THE FINAL
Councillors have been feeling the power of the young electorate in I'm A Councillor Get Me Out Of Here! the reality... -
IMPROVEMENTS TO EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN IN CARE
Young people in care will have access to better educational opportunities thanks to a£6m investment.... -
INSPECTIONS SHOW PLANNERS NEED TO CONSULT MORE
Two reports published today by the Audit Commission give a picture of the planning services offered by two London c... -
INVOLVING TENANTS IN DECISIONS
Social landlords must do more to involve tenants in decisions affecting their future.... -
KIRKLEES REBELLION SEES MINORITY LEADERSHIP EJECTED
Kirklees Metropolitan Council has been left leaderless after Conservative and Labour councillors combined to oust t... -
LATEST SCORES FOR INSPECTIONS ON COUNCILS
The Audit Commission has recently completed the following inspections and the reports are being prepared for public... -
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM NEWHAM'S CARE FAILURE
ia... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - CITY VALUES
City values... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - COMMUNICATING TECHNOLOGY
I was delighted to read LGC's report of Soham Inquiry chair Sir Michael Bichard's speech to the Society of Informat... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - INVEST IN A JOB LOT
It may be true that councils have an older and longer-serving workforce than other employment sectors (LGC, 22 Octo... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - JOINT EFFORT FOR CORE VALUE
As someone who has mainly worked for county councils, I feel I have a balanced view of both sides of the big city/b... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - PRACTICAL POINT
I am writing in response to LGC's diary story, 'Free speech' (LGC, 15 October).... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - SPREAD THE WORD
Here at Knowsley MBC we have experienced difficulties recruiting and retaining young people. ... -
LGA APPOINTS LEAD FOR POLICY DIRECTORATES
Both LGA policy directorates are to be headed by Local Government Association director of economic and environmenta... -
LGA ECONOMIC REGENERATION CONFERENCE REPORT - LAAs MUST BOOST WORK NUMBERS
Local area agreements should tackle worklessness, according to Chris Pond, Parliamentary under secretary of state f... -
LGA ECONOMIC REGENERATION CONFERENCE REPORT - POOR SKILLS TARGETED
The government needs to tackle councils' poor skills in delivering large developments. ... -
LGA ECONOMIC REGENERATION CONFERENCE REPORT - RDAs TO CONCENTRATE ON LARGE PROJECTS
Regional development agencies are set to concentrate on large projects in future, RDAs in the south-west and north-... -
LGA EYES POWER TO BAN NUISANCE CASINOS
Councils will seek powers in the government's Gambling Bill to ban casinos on public nuisance grounds.... -
LGA STRENGTHENS STRUCTURES AS BOARDS BEGIN TO BITE
New robust management structures are to take effect next week as the Local Government Association gears itself up t... -
LGA TAKES ON PLANNING OFFICERS' SOCIETY TO EXPAND ITS PLANNING EXPERTISE
The Local Government Association has entered into a consultancy agreement with the Planning Officers' Society (POS)... -
LINCOLNSHIRE 'PERIOD OF REFLECTION' MOOTED AFTER BOWLES UPHEAVAL
Lincolnshire CC's opposition leader has called for a 'period of reflection', lasting up to nine months, before a ne... -
LINCOLNSHIRE'S LOCAL AUTHORITIES HIT LONDON TO RECOVER THE COUNTY'S 'MISSING MILLIONS'
A partnership of Lincolnshire's local authorities will take the 'missing millions' campaign to London today to call... -
LOCAL AUTHORITIES DELIVERING ON WASTE MANAGEMENT TARGETS
Figures released by the National Assembly for Wales (see below) show that local authorities in Wales have made trem... -
'LOCAL AUTHORITY WEBSITES DO NOT MEET BASIC ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS'
Over 40% of local government websites do not to comply with basic accessibility requirements.... -
LOCAL LEADERSHIP FAVOURED FOR PUBLIC HEALTH WHITE PAPER
Councils may be given leadership of public health in the forthcoming white paper, a leading government adviser has ... -
LOOMING CRISIS AS OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS ARE CAUSING FAMILY BREAKDOWN
News release now embargoed for 12 NOON, Thursday 28 October 2004.... -
MANAGING RISKS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICES
Good progress has been made by departments to improve their risk management capacity since a National Audit Office ... -
MASSIVE FINE FOR NOISE NUISANCE
Residents living above the Dollar Bar in Exmouth Market, London EC1, should have a better chance of a decent night'... -
MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN REGENERATION DECISIONS
An increasing number of people are able to influence decisions... -
MORTGAGE POSSESSION STATISTICS - THIRD QUARTER 2004
The Department for Constitutional Affairs today published figures for... -
NEW INITIATIVES TO TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The prime minister and home secretary today announced further measures to deal with anti-social behaviour. ... -
NEW METROPOLITAN POLICE COMMISSIONER
Home secretary David Blunkett today announced the appointment of Ian Blair as the new Metropolitan Police Service c... -
NEW PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE WASTE DATA
Consultation on a new three-year strategy for data on waste was launched today by the Department for the Environmen... -
NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY STANDARDS - 'FEWER, BUT NO LESS DEMANDING'
Standards of acceptable service for England's 3,600 public libraries... -
NEW WIGAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Wigan MBC has appointed a new chief executive to replace incumbent Steve... -
NEXT STEPS ON ID CARDS SET OUT
The government is making good progress with its plans for national,... -
NO COLLECTIVE VOICE IN NORTH-EAST
By Mithran Samuel... -
NUMBER OF BARS, RESTAURANTS AND OFF-LICENCES REVEALED
There are now 160,000 licensed premises - 113,400 on-licence and... -
OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE BECOMING MAINSTREAM SAYS NEW GOVERNMENT REPORT
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) today publishes its report on... -
OPINION - DAN CORRY
Is the cabinet singing from different hymn sheets when it comes to new localism? Recent events might suggest this i... -
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO SMOKING CONSULTATION
A total of 53,948 people responded to the smoking consultation making it the widest ranging the Executive has held.... -
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS TO TREBLE UNDER WELSH ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL
The number of performance indicators applied to Welsh councils is set to treble under plans to revamp the way local... -
PERSPECTIVES - FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
The Gershon Efficiency review has been much talked about in recent months. ... -
PLANNING SERVICE IN SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE IS 'GOOD' SAYS NEW REPORT
The planning service provided by South Gloucestershire Council is good and has promising prospects of improving, ac... -
PLANS FOR 24-HOUR ECONOMY MUST INCLUDE TRANSPORT AND TOILETS
Many local authorities are not ready for next year's changes to the... -
POLICY - JUST THE TICKET
Manchester's parking debacle was a public relations disaster - and a perfect example of trust rebuilt ... -
POOLE FORCED TO JUSTIFY HOUSING DECISION AND PROCEDURES
jrb... -
PROMISING PROSPECTS FOR SOUTHAMPTON'S WASTE MANAGEMENT
The waste management services provided by Southampton City Council are fair and have promising prospects for improv... -
PUTTING VICTIMS FIRST: THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CRIME & VICTIMS BILL
Home secretary David Blunkett today reaffirmed the government's... -
RADICAL REFORM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
Local government minister Sue Essex has launched a consultation exercise that will radically reform how the perform... -
REDFEARN TO TAKE OVER WIGAN HOTSEAT
Joyce Redfearn is set to become chief executive of Wigan MBC, replacing Steve Jones, in May.... -
REGIONAL ENTERPRISE COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Chancellor Gordon Brown today announced the regional... -
REID KEEPS POLICY PLANS TO HIMSELF
By Mithran Samuel... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 10:50HRS
PRIMARY SCHOOL MEALS FAIL FAT, SUGAR AND SALT TESTS... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 11:50HRS
COMMUNITIES TO BE GIVEN LAST WORD ON BUILDING OF CASINOS... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 12:05HRS
£3M CAMPAIGN TO BOOST WEST MIDLANDS REGION... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 13:20HRS
PRIME MINISTER SEES 'NO REASON WHY BRITAIN CAN'T HAVE 24-HOUR DRINKING' ... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE SUNDAY PAPERS
COUNCILS CLAMPING DOWN ON SHRINES TO CRASH VICTIMS... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES IN THE REGIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 17:50HRS
UNION TELLS PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TO CONDUCT WEEKLY WALK-OUT UNLESS DEMANDS MET... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES IN THE REGIONAL PRESS - UPDATING 17:20HRS
COUNCILS HOODWINKED INTO CONTRIBUTING TO TELEVISION HORROR SHOW... -
SALFORD HAS GOOD LEISURE SERVICES
The cultural strategy and leisure services provided by Salford City Council are 'good' and have 'promising prospect... -
SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY, SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT
Millions of people could save money on fuel bills and help cut... -
SEFTON'S REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
The repairs and maintenance service provided by Sefton MBC is a 'fair' service and has 'excellent' prospects to imp... -
SERVICES FOR HOMELESS ON ISLE OF WIGHT ARE 'FAIR'
The homelessness and housing advice services provided by Isle of Wight Council are fair and have excellent prospect... -
SIR LES IS KNIGHTED
Former Gateshead Council chief executive Sir Les Elton has received his knighthood from the Prince of Wales for ser... -
'SQUATTERS' RIGHTS' APPLIES TO QUIET OCCUPATION OF MULTI-MILLION POUND DEVELOPMENT SITE
ia/jrb... -
STARTER'S ORDERS GIVEN ON OLYMPIC LEGACY
The UK should start planning now on the basis that London has won the 2012 Olympics according to joint research pub... -
STREETCARE SERVICE IN BRACKNELL FOREST IS 'FAIR'
The streetcare service provided by Bracknell Forest BC has been rated as 'fair' with excellent prospects for improv... -
'STRIKE THREAT AT SWANSEA COUNCIL IS OVER'
City & County of Swansea leader Chris Holley has welcomed news that the threat of strike action at the authority is... -
SUMMER TIME ENDS
Summer time will end on Sunday 31 October at 1am GMT throughout... -
SUPPORT FOR RADICAL REFORM OF PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT URGED
Proposed ... -
SURVEY OF ENGLISH HOUSING 2002-2003
In 2002-03, there were 1.4 million individuals with a medical... -
TACKLING PROSTITUTION: CONSULTATION NEARS THE END
With less that four weeks until the consultation period for the... -
TAKING ELDERLY CARE FORWARD IN BIRMINGHAM
A focus on independent living, more personalised packages of care and support for carers will take care for vulnera... -
THE BEST COUNCIL AT RECYCLING
South Cambridgeshire DC has been named as the best at recycling in the country. ... -
THE ENVIRONMENT IN YOUR POCKET
Key trends and other statistics on the environment over recent years... -
THE GOOD COUNCILLOR'S GUIDE LAUNCHED
The Good Councillor's Guide* was launched today by local government minister Sue Essex at the annual general meetin... -
TORBAY'S LEISURE SERVICES JUDGED 'GOOD' WITH PROMISING PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT
The leisure services provided by Torbay Council are 'good' and have promising prospects for improvement, according ... -
TORY HOUSING POLICY LAUNCHED
Conservatives have launched 'The Right to Own', laying out Conservative strategy for making housing more affordable... -
TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS WELCOME NEW POWERS ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
National Association of Local Councils chief executive John Findlay responded to the prime minister's ... -
TRAFFORD'S WASTE MANAGEMENT AND STREET CLEANING SERVICE IS 'FAIR'
The waste management and street cleaning service provided by Trafford MBC is 'fair' and its prospects for improveme... -
TRAVELLERS CAN STAY ON DARTFORD GREEN BELT LAND AS CHILDREN HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS
ia... -
TWO CITIES ARE 'TWIN ENGINES' OF ECONOMY
Edinburgh and Glasgow are twin engines driving the Scottish economy and they should continue to work together to en... -
UNITED KINGDOM ANNOUNCES PLANS ON EUROPEAN UNION EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME
The government today announced its proposals on the total number of... -
WARWICKSHIRE SCORES PLANNING WEB SUCCESS
Warwickshire CC has come out top in a new nationwide survey of... -
WASTE PREVENTION GUIDE HELPS COUNCILS TACKLE RISING TIDE OF RUBBISH
Promoting real nappies, supporting second hand schemes and charging households for excess waste are just some of th... -
WEST SUSSEX LEADER URGES GOVERNMENT TO ACT OVER HOMELESS ISLANDERS
jrb... -
WESTMINSTER CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED TO HOUSING CORPORATION BOARD
The government has announced three new appointments to the board of... -
WORK LIFE - CAREER TIPS
How to get recognition for what you do... -
WORK LIFE - HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
Steve Cody, interim director of adult social services, Ealing LBC... -
WORK LIFE - HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO
Usually called in to rescue 'poor' councils, interim managers aren't just there for the bad times, says Neil Lupin... -
WORK LIFE - 'I DIDN'T GET WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT...'
Steve Bramwell, group director for community based services, Gateshead Council... -
WORK LIFE - JARGON BUSTER
What is...the 360 degree appraisal?... -
WORK LIFE - PEOPLE
Suzanne Simmons-Lewis seeks out the latest management moves in local government... -
WORK LIFE - TOMORROW'S PEOPLE
Tracy Walters, head of diversity, Brent LBC... -
WORK LIFE - YOUR NEXT MOVE?
Kathryn Godfrey looks at five heads of service posts at Harlow DC ...
