Local Government Chronicle
22 January 1998
View all stories from this issue.
-
1996-BASED POPULATION FIGURES FOR SCOTTISH AREAS
The registrar general's 1996-based population projections for the administrative areas of Scotland are issued today... -
ALG LISTS MEASURES TO PROMOTE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN LONDON
A range of financial incentives coupled with tougher penalties to deal with land speculators and unscrupulous landl... -
ARMSTRONG CALLS FOR COMMITTEE SHAKE-UP
The traditional council structure built around committees should be abandoned, local government minister Hilary Arm... -
ARMSTRONG REVEALS PLANS FOR FINANCE
Labour's review of local government finance will fail to deliver radical reform on the key areas of business rates,... -
ARMSTRONG SETS OUT FRAMEWORK FOR CHANGE
The East Anglian Daily Times (p17) reports that 'people power' is at the top of the government's agenda for east An... -
ASHDOWN: 'PAYING FOR PUBLIC SERVICES IN A MODERN BRITAIN'
At the annual Liberal Democrat News lecture tonight, Paddy Ashdown will set out his ambitions for Britain's public ... -
ASHFORD MEMBER A LITTLE TOO LOYAL
An Ashford BC member has been sacked from her job at Sainsbury's and cautioned by police for stealing loyalty card ... -
ASSESSMENT POLICIES AT KEY STAGE 3 NEED REVIEWING
Many schools have not updated their policies regarding statutory ... -
AUDIT COMMISSION ENCOURAGES DEBATE ON ROLE OF LEAs
The need for local education authorities (LEAs) to adapt to a changing world is highlighted by a discussion paper p... -
AUDIT COMMISSION ENCOURAGES DEBATE ON ROLE OF LEAs
The need for local education authorities (LEAs) to adapt to a changing world is highlighted by a discussion paper p... -
BASINGSTOKE IS NOT A BORING TOWN, SAYS CAMPAIGN
The Financial Times (Jan 24, p6) reported that Basingstoke is to launch a campaign to persuade the world that it is... -
BEST VALUE IN SOCIAL SERVICES: WORKSHOPS FOR MANAGERS
Much has been written about best value, and its impact generally. ... -
BIDS INVITED FOR£195M NEW DEAL FOR DISABLED
The closing date for bids from disability organisations for funds to support innovative schemes helping people with... -
BIRMINGHAM REFUTES ADOPTION BAN CLAIMS
Birmingham City Council has refuted claims that they told a white couple with two adopted mixed-race children they ... -
BLACKPOOL COMMENDED FOR REORGANISATION PREPARATIONS
Blackpool BC has been commended on the preparations made for independence day on 1 April when it breaks away from L... -
BLAIR DECLARES TOWN HALLS DEAD
Prime minister Tony Blair will next month herald the end of traditional town-hall government with an announcement t... -
BLAIR WANTS ELECTED MAYORS
Prime minister Tony Blair wants to see directly elected mayors in the main towns and cities of Britain as a means o... -
BLUNKETT WELCOMES NUMERACY TASK FORCE REPORT
Education and employment secretary David Blunkett today welcomed the ... -
BONUS PROVES A TRICKY PROBLEM
An employer/union task force has found no satisfactory solutions to resolving bonus problems, and will instead sugg... -
BOOST FOR LITERACY PROJECTS TO HELP BLIND CHILDREN
Education and employment secretary David Blunkett has pushed forward the government's drive to improve literacy sta... -
BOOST TO LIMESTONE PAVEMENT CAMPAIGN
A new phase in the campaign to protect the remaining areas of ... -
BREAKING THE BULLYING CYCLE - BLUNKETT
Education and employment secretary David Blunkett has joined ... -
BROWN TO SQUEEZE PUBLIC SECTOR PAY
The Guardian (p2) reports that chancellor Gordon Brown is poised to squeeze this year's pay settlement for over a m... -
BRUSSELS CHANGE MAY COST WALES£1BN
An EU draft proposal which could mean the loss of£1bn to the Welsh economy has been criticised by local government... -
BUSINESS GIVES CASH TO LURE SUITABLE BOSS
Private businesses have promised to give an extra£20,000 a year to the Liverpool City Partnership to help attract ... -
BUSINESSES ARGUE FOR UNIFORM RATES
The Birmingham Post (p23) reports that Grimley, the CBI and other businesses and professional organisations are urg... -
BYERS WANTS TO TEAR UP TEACHERS' CONTRACTS
At the Society of Education Officers' annual conference in Harrogate last weekend, school standards minister Stephe... -
BYERS WELCOMES HACKNEY IMPROVEMENT TEAM REPORT
School standards minister Stephen Byers today welcomed ... -
CAERPHILLY CBC FEATURED
The Western Mail features an eight-page supplement in English and Welsh on Caerphilly CBC. ... -
CALL FOR MORATORIUM ON NEW HOUSING
In the light of yesterday's announcement of government plans to overhaul housing provision rules, the Liberal Democ... -
CARMARTHENSHIRE REORGANISATION STRIKE THREAT
Council staff in Carmarthenshire are threatening to strike over what they call dictatorial management attitudes and... -
CHANCELLOR'S PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE PLANS DEFENDED
Sources close to Gordon Brown have defended his plans to keep a tight hold on public sector wage increases. ... -
CHARISMATIC OFFICERS NEEDED FOR SCHOOLS
'Charismatic, proselytising' chief education officers can play a vital role in boosting school standards, according... -
CHIEF ACCUSES DUMFRIES OF DIRTY TRICKS
Former leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council Allan Baldwick claims that he has been the victim of a dirty-tricks ... -
COLCHESTER BC DEFENDS ITS NURSERIES AGAINST COUNTY CUT
Colchester BC yesterday attacked Essex CC's decision to close two of the town's nurseries, reports the East Anglian... -
COSLA: INDEPENDENT COMMISSION PIVOTAL
The independent commission on local government and the Scottish parliament will have a pivotal role to play in esta... -
COUNCIL TAX REFORM PLANS SHELVED
Government plans to radically reform local government finance by creating a new top band council tax rate and reduc... -
COUNCILLOR WANTS RAPIST OUT OF COUNCIL FLAT
Councillor Edward Malcolm from West Lothian Council has called for a double rapist to be evicted from his council h... -
COUNCILLORS SEEK URGENT STUDY ON DIRECTLY-ELECTED MAYORS
Local authority figures, worried about the possibility of government plans to introduce elected mayors to all parts... -
COUNCILS HAVE A 'CRUCIAL' ROLE IN PROVIDING SPORTS FACILITIES
Scottish sports minister Sam Galbraith has officially opened an exciting new sports project in Dundee. The Dundee I... -
CUTS COULD MEAN STRATHCLYDE FIRE BRIGADE STIKE
The threat of a fire service strike over proposed budget cuts of£4.5m remains after Scottish office minister Henry... -
DEAL NO PANACEA, SAYS MONKS
Bringing in single status is crucial for best value, Trades Union Congress general secretary John Monks told the LG... -
DEWAR RULES OUT DISCUSSION ON SCOTS COUNCILS FUNDING
Scottish secretary Donald Dewar has ruled out discussion on the future funding of Scotland's local authorities. ... -
DEWAR TELLS COUNCILS TO PULL THEIR SOCKS UP
Scottish secretary Donald Dewar will talk with leaders of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities today, and i... -
DISTRICT AUDITOR: MANCHESTER CITY IMPROVES YEAR ON YEAR
Manchester City Council scored well with the district auditor who offered his praise for the 'sound framework' of c... -
DOBSON PLAN 'SET TO FAIL WITHOUT FUNDING'
Local government will need more money if health secretary Frank Dobson wants more round-the-clock care for mental h... -
DONCASTER COUNCILLOR WITHDRAWS FROM SELECTION
A senior Doncaster councillor has withdrawn his candidacy from the selection process for this year's local governme... -
DSOs FEAR STAFF CUTS WILL FOLLOW EQUAL PAY
Many DSOs are worried the costs of single status could force them out of business, according to a new report. ... -
DUMFRIES LEADER STEPS DOWN
Alan Baldwick, leader of Dumfries & Galloway, has stepped down after the council called in the police to investigat... -
EASINGTON BANS DRINKING IN THE STREET
Easington DC has introduced a bylaw which makes it an offence to drink alcohol in parts of the district. ... -
EAST ANGLIAN COUNCILS SET UP EMPTY HOMES FORUM
Following the national debate on building homes in green belt areas, St Edmundsbury BC last week hosted the first m... -
EC CALLS FOR TOGETHERNESS AT WORK
It is essential staff and employers work together in developing new policies for work organisation, delegates at th... -
EDINBURGH FACES 700 JOB LOSSES
The Herald (p9) reports that Edinburgh City Council finance convener Angus Mackay has warned of job losses at the c... -
EDUCATION TARGETS 'TOO TOUGH'
England's local education authorities may find it difficult to achieve government targets on literacy and numeracy ... -
ELECTIONS REVIEW GETS UNDERWAY
A wide ranging review of the way elections are carried out starts today with the first meeting of the home office w... -
ENABLING COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE GETS MINISTERIAL BACKING
Environment minister Angela Eagle yesterday backed local government efforts to develop community enterprise initiat... -
ENGLAND OFFERS INSIGHT ON WESTMINSTER
Graham England, the former Westminster City Council housing director cleared of wilful misconduct in the High Court... -
ENVIRONMENTALISTS WIN N YORKS QUARRY BATTLE
court ref no: FC3 97/6286/D ... -
EOC BACKS NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE AS GOOD FOR WOMEN
The national minimum wage will make a major contribution towards ... -
EOC CALLS FOR RADICAL OVERHAUL OF SEX EQUALITY LAWS
The Equal Opportunities Commission has revealed its proposals for a new 'super law' to replace existing legislation... -
ESSEX BUDGET CUTS MEAN LOSS OF 36 FIREFIGHTERS
Plans to save more than£1.2m from the Essex fire authority budget which will be announced today will mean the loss... -
EU REGIONAL AID THREAT
Many of the UK's poorer regions may lose out on millions of pounds under confidential proposals from Brussels becau... -
EU STUDENTS FACE EXPERT MEANS TEST
The government is to take means-testing of EU students out of the hands of local government and set up a team of ex... -
EX-MINING DISTRICT PLEADS WITH ARMSTRONG
Councillors from Wansbeck DC are hopeful that their plea for a better financial deal has made an impression on loca... -
FEARS FOR ETHNIC POWER IMBALANCE
Fears are mounting that the number of people from ethnic minorities holding power in councils will fall in the futu... -
FINANCE QUESTION WORRIES SCOTTISH COUNCILS
Last week's announcement of an independent commission on local government and the Scottish parliament has been met ... -
FIRE UNION SLAMS ESSEX JOB CUTS
Plans to cut 36 frontline jobs from the Essex fire service in a bid to save more than£1.2m have been met with ange... -
FIVE-YEAR INSPECTION CYCLE FOR EDUCATION AUTHORITIES-BYERS
School standards minister Stephen Byers has announced that local ... -
FOE URGES LABOUR MPs TO REBEL ON GREEN FIELD HOUSING
Friends of the Earth has urged backbench Labour MPs to rebel against government plans to make land available for mi... -
FOSTER CARE PLEA IN COUNCIL PAY PACKET
Derbyshire CC has launched a direct appeal to council staff in a bid to recruit foster parents and carers, reports ... -
FTSE INDEX: 5184.9 UP 3.5 POINTS ON START OF DAY
FTSE INDEX: 5184.9 UP 3.5 POINTS ON START OF DAY... -
FTSE INDEX: 5237.1 DOWN 35.2 POINTS ON START OF DAY
FTSE INDEX: 5237.1 DOWN 35.2 POINTS ON START OF DAY... -
FTSE INDEX: 5247.1 DOWN 6.0 ON START OF DAY
FTSE INDEX: 5247.1 DOWN 6.0 ON START OF DAY... -
FTSE INDEX: 5250.8 UP 13.6 POINTS ON START OF DAY
FTSE INDEX: 5250.8 UP 13.6 POINTS ON START OF DAY... -
FTSE INDEX: 5282.0 UP 3.8 POINTS ON START OF DAY
FTSE INDEX: 5282.0 UP 3.8 POINTS ON START OF DAY... -
GLASGOW CITY TO SHED 800 JOBS
Opposition members in Glasgow City Council have criticised the Labour group's budget proposals to cut 800 jobs in a... -
GLASGOW IS THE COUNTRY'S MOST UNHEALTHY CITY
Living in Glasgow can damage your health, the Observer says (p18) in an analysis of health inequalities across the ... -
GLASGOW REGENERATION MEASURES EXAMINED
The Herald (pp12-13) carries a feature on the regeneration of Glasgow in the third part of a four-part series of in... -
GLASGOW'S CLLRS COULD BE VICTIM OF BLAIR'S REFORMING ZEAL
The Sunday Times Magazine's cover story (p24) claims that leading Glasgow councillors could be a victim of New Labo... -
GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES ISSUED FRIDAY 23 JANUARY
If you require press releases not found on LGCnet, contact the news room on 0171 833 7324/5. ... -
GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES ISSUED MONDAY 26 JANUARY
Contact the news room on 0171 833 7324/5 if you require press releases not found on LGCnet. ... -
GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES ISSUED THURSDAY 22 JANUARY
If you require press releases not found on LGCnet, contact the news room on 0171 833 7324/5. ... -
GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES ISSUED TUESDAY 20 JANUARY
If you require press releases not found on LGCnet, contact the news desk on 0171 833 7324/5. ... -
GOVERNMENT PRESS RELEASES ISSUED WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY
If you require press releases not found on LGCnet, contact the news room on 0171 833 7324/5. ... -
GOVT DETERMINED TO ROOT OUT DISHONESTY IN PUBLIC LIFE: STRAW
The protection provided by parliamentary privilege should not be used to protect dishonest members of parliament, h... -
GUIDANCE ON EMPLOYERS SELECTING RPE FOR ASBESTOS WORK
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued important advice to employers about 'Selecting Respiratory Protect... -
GYPSY CHALLENGE TO OXFORDSHIRE'S 'REMOVAL DIRECTIONS' FAILS
court ref no: CO/0147/98 ... -
HACKNEY LBC EDUCATION SERVICE 'IN DISARRAY'
The Independent (Jan 24, p6) reported that an interim report by the government team investigating Hackney LBC's edu... -
HAMPSHIRE SITE FOR SOUTHEAST'S BIGGEST HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
The UK's third larges housebuilder, Beazer, has announced plans for one of the biggest housing developments in sout... -
HARTLEPOOL WINS IN PRIMARY 'VALUE ADDED' TESTS
Ahead of the publication of new government league tables this week, the Observer produced (p23) its own assessment ... -
HAYMAN CRACKS DOWN ON SCHOOL RUNS
The Daily Mail (p17) covers a pledge made by transport minister Baroness Hayman to cut down on parents who chauffeu... -
HAYMAN URGES TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO WORK TOGETHER
Transport operators managing rail, buses, coaches, roads, waterways ... -
HEALTH CARE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE: NEW REPORT
The department of health has today published a report by the Clinical ... -
HEALTH SECRETARY BACKS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GUIDELINES
Domestic Violence guidelines issued by the Royal College of Midwives ... -
HELPING CHILDREN: A TOP PRIORITY FOR GOVERNMENT
Preventing young children from becoming socially excluded is top of the agenda at a seminar being hosted by the tre... -
HOPES FOR COUNCIL EMPLOYEES IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT DASHED
Hopes for a change in rules to allow more Scottish council workers to stand for public office appear to have been d... -
HOUSING BENEFIT COULD BE NEXT CUT
The recipients of housing benefit could be the next in line to feel the effect of the government's wide-ranging ref... -
HOUSING TRENDS IN SCOTLAND: QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
At March 31, 1997, there were more than 1,169 very sheltered dwellings provided for the elderly by public agencies ... -
ICL PUTS FLOTATION BACK A YEAR
Information and technology systems company ICL has put back its flotation for 12 months after deciding market condi... -
IMPORTANT ITEMS SAVED FOR THE NATION
Arts minister Mark Fisher has announced the acceptance of the following offers in lieu of capital taxes: ... -
INCREASE IN FIRE DEATHS AND INJURIES
Deaths and non-fatal injuries from fire increased in the UK in 1996 according to figures published by the home offi... -
INVITATION TO ATTEND LGA'S FIRST ANNUAL HOUSING CONFERENCE
Housing minister Hilary Armstrong, will make the opening address at the LGA's first annual housing conference, to b... -
JUDGE: NO GROUNDS FOR CHALLENGING CLOSURE OF NORTHANTS HOMES
A high court attempt to prevent closure of two elderly persons' homes ... -
LEAK REVEALS CONSERVATIVE ATTITUDE TO CAPS AND RATES
The letter from local government minister Hilary Armstrong to deputy prime minister John Prescott leaked in this we... -
LEAs OF THE FUTURE ARE NOT A PLATONIC IDEAL
In response to the report from the Audit Commission on local education authorities (see LGCnet stories earlier toda... -
LGA WELCOMES NOMINATIONS TO COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
The LGA welcomed Douglas Henderson, minister for Europe's confirmation of its nominees for the UK Delegation to the... -
LGMB RESEARCH COMPARES WORKING PATTERNS
Temporary working arrangements are twice as likely in local authorities than the wider economy, a report from the L... -
LIB DEM ANGER AT LABOUR'S DITCHING OF LOCAL FINANCE REFORMS
Liberal Democrat councillors at the LGA have reacted angrily to a leaked letter from local government minister Hila... -
LIB DEM PLAN FOR END OF CENTRAL FUNDING FOR COUNCILS
A new Liberal Democrat approach to tax that would see the end of central funding of local authorities, is to be set... -
LOCAL AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET RATES, 9AM 21 JANUARY
Local authority money market rates supplied by City Deposit Brokers ... -
LOCAL AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET RATES, 9AM 22 JANUARY
Local authority money market rates supplied by City Deposit Brokers ... -
LOCAL AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET RATES, 9AM 23 JANUARY
Local authority money market rates supplied by City Deposit Brokers ... -
LOCAL AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET RATES, 9AM 26 JANUARY
Local authority money market rates supplied by City Deposit Brokers ... -
LOCAL AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET RATES, 9AM 27 JANUARY
Local authority money market rates supplied by City Deposit Brokers ... -
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN REPORTS ISSUED SINCE 8 JANUARY
Local Government Ombudsman investigation reports issued since 15 January 1998 ... -
LOCAL GOVT MINISTER WILL NOT STAND FOR SCOTS PARLIAMENT
Scottish local government minister Calum Macdonald will not be standing for the Scottish parliament, reports The He... -
LOCAL GOVT/POLICE PARTNERSHIPS CAN REDUCE CARE HOME RUNAWAYS
Significant reductions in the number of children going missing from care can been achieved when social services dep... -
LOCAL PUBLICATION OF PRIMARY PERFORMANCE TABLES WELCOMED
Local publication of primary school performance tables has given parents more information than ever before and two ... -
LOUDER VOICE IN EUROPE URGED
Employers and unions jointly called for local government to be consulted as a full social partner in European Union... -
MAJOR NEW LONDON REGENERATION AGENCY TO BE LAUNCHED
The formal launch of London Lee Valley Partnership Limited will take place on 11 February at Spitalfields Market. ... -
MANCHESTER COUNCIL SUPPORTS FREEDOM ON INFORMATION BILL
Manchester City Council members have put their weight behind the government's plans to introduce a Freedom on Infor... -
MANCHESTER TO SPEND MORE ON EDUCATION & SOCIAL SVS
Manchester City Council is investing more money in education and social services. ... -
MARKING THE MILLENNIUM GUIDANCE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES
The government is keen to ensure that the celebrations for the ... -
MEMBERSHIP OF PARLIAMENTARY TENDERS STANDING COMMITTEE
The parliamentary committee of selection has nominated 17 MPs to serve on standing committee C in respect of the Lo... -
MINIMUM WAGE STUDY HEARS UNISON'S PROPOSALS
The Low Pay Commission will hear evidence by Unison and other bodies today as part of a wide-ranging report on the ... -
MINISTER CRITICAL OF MEMBER MIX
More than a third of members are retired and only a quarter are women, local government minister Hilary Armstrong h... -
MOLE VALLEY HELPS COMPANIES SAVE ENERGY
Representatives from local companies attended a briefing about energy management organised as part of the Mole Vall... -
MORAY FIVE ARE CLEARED OF EXPENSES ABUSE
The Scotsman (p8) reports that Moray councillors, including former convener Gordon McDonald, were exonerated of all... -
MORPETH COUNCIL LAND HUNT BAN REJECTED
A bid for a ban on fox hunts on council-owned land in rural Northumberland has been rejected by Castle Morpeth BC's... -
N TYNESIDE STAFF IN COLD WORKING CONDITIONS WALKOUT
Up to 50 North Tyneside Council finance staff walked out of their offices, marched on the town hall and demanded a ... -
NEW ADVICE ON PREVENTION OF DERELICT LAND
Planning minister Richard Caborn has issued new advice and encouragement to local planning authorities to use their... -
NEW BODY TO SHAPE FUTURE OF SCOTS LOCAL GOVT ANNOUNCED
Scottish secretary Donald Dewar today announced the remit and membership of a new commission to establish effective... -
NEW FOREST DC SETS UP ANTI-SLEAZE COMMITTEE
New Forest DC has set up an anti-sleaze working party. ... -
NEW RESEARCH COMPARES RURAL/URBAN COUNCIL SERVICES
Elderly people in rural areas in particular can expect less homecare, fewer residential places and less help with t... -
NEWCASTLE GREENBELT PLANS ATTACKED
The government's decision to allow up to 2,500 homes to be built in greenbelt land north west of Newcastle was atta... -
NEWCASTLE LABOUR MP FIGHTS PLAN FOR GREEN BELT HOUSING
One of Newcastle upon Tyne's Labour MPs is opposing the city council's decision to release 12,000 acres of green be... -
NJC STATEMENT - SINGLE STATUS AND SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP
A NJC statement - single status and social partnership - Cllr Brian Baldwin and Jack Dromey - the first national jo... -
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR LIBRARY LEARNER AWARDS
Librarians from all sectors can nominate learners for The Library Association's Independent Library Learner Award 1... -
OFSTED GETS ITS DATES WRONG
The Times Educational Supplement (p3) reports that the Office for Standards in Education wrote to more than 600 hea... -
OLDHAM LEADER WILL FIGHT NORTHWEST'S CORNER IN EUROPE
Oldham MBC leader John Battye has been appointed to one of the two places allocated to the Northwest on the Committ... -
PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL FOR WALES
The Welsh assembly will form a partnership council with local government according to Welsh Office minister Win Gri... -
PARTNERSHIP IS THE KEY TO IMPROVING LIFE IN THE HIGHLANDS
Scottish industry minister Brian Wilson today said that, 'co-operation and partnership between public agencies is v... -
PAY RISES MAY SWALLOW UP WELSH SCHOOLS CASH
Teachers' pay rises could swallow up a large part of the extra£50m provided by the government to raise standards i... -
PEOPLE'S JURY PASSES JUDGEMENT ON SALFORD CITY
A commission made up of members of the public, councillors and senior environment officers has made 39 recommendati... -
PLAN TO CO-ORDINATE SERVICES FOR UNDER-SEVENS
The government is launching an inter-departmental review of services for the under-sevens, bringing together educat... -
PLANNERS WELCOME CONSULTATION ON FUTURE OF REGIONAL PLANNING
Top planners have welcomed the government's support for modernising the planning system. ... -
PLANNING INSPECTORATE PUBLISHES ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS
The Planning Inspectorate Agency has achieved the majority of ... -
PM PLANS 'SUPER-DEPARTMENT'
The prime minister may create a super-department charged with carrying through the will of the cabinet, reports the... -
POPULATION TRENDS 90 WINTER 1997
The Winter issue of Population Trends* contains the following articles: ... -
PORTSMOUTH EHOS WEAR BODY ARMOUR AS ATTACKS INCREASE
Attacks on council staff in the Portsmouth area by members of the public are rising, reports the Portsmouth News (p... -
PORTSMOUTH MILLENNIUM TOWER DISPUTE
A disagreement between Portsmouth City councillors and the DETR is threatening the future of one of the UK's most a... -
POWYS CC & VOLUNTARY SECTOR IN BENEFIT TAKE-UP JOINT VENTURE
A joint venture between Powys CC and voluntary organisations in the county could result in many people getting extr... -
PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING ALLIANCE WELCOMES BLUNKETT'S STRATEGY
The Pre-school Learning Alliance has welcomed the education and employment secretary's commitment to make affordabl... -
PRESCOTT ANNOUNCES NEW PLANNING STRATEGY
A new planning strategy that could mean fewer houses being built on greenfield sites and a greater say for councils... -
PRESCOTT SUFFERS HARSH CRITICISM
Tories and environmentalists have criticised deputy prime minister John Prescott's controversial decision to allow ... -
PROFESSOR EXPLAINS WHY EVERY DOG SHOULD HAVE ITS DAY
Local government in Britain has been obsessed with service delivery and has ignored the concept of communities gove... -
PUBLIC SECTOR PAY RISES IN TWO STAGES
The government is set to disappoint workers in the public sector by limiting the first tranche of their pay rise to... -
QUITTING CONWY BLAMES OFFICERS OVER 'LOST CREDIBILITY'
Conwy CBC chairman Walter Jones has resigned after accusing senior officers of letting him down in a dispute over j... -
RACE TO BE FIRST TO ELECT MAYOR
London could be beaten to the glory of having Britain's first elected mayor. ... -
RDA REPS TO BE PICKED ON MERIT
Council representatives on the proposed regional development agency boards will be selected according to experience... -
REDBRIDGE LEADER SEEKS LIMITS ON AUDIT PROBE COSTS
Local government minister Hilary Armstrong has been asked to clamp down on the spiralling costs of district audit i... -
RENFREWSHIRE LABOUR CLLR TO SUE PARTY OVER SUSPENSION
The Scotsman (p11) reports that Harry Revie, the councillor from Renfewshire Council who was suspended last Novembe... -
RESIDENTS' CHALLENGE TO NEW NORFOLK HOSTEL FAILS
court ref no: CO/974/97 ... -
RESKILLING THE KEY TO STABLE GROWTH - BLUNKETT
David Blunkett, secretary of state for education and employment has called upon Britain to embrace a culture of lif... -
ROAD TOLLS TO BE SET BY COUNCILS
Local authorities will have the power to impose town centre road tolls under proposals likely to be included in the... -
RURAL AREAS LOSE OUT ON SERVICES
Rural areas in England often have a lower level of local authority services than urban ones according to a study by... -
RUTLAND SUCCESS IN LEAGUE TABLES
Rutland is celebrating being named as the local authority with the highest proportion of 11-year-olds reaching the ... -
SCOTS CHIEF JIBES AT TORY SLANT TO PLANS
The government is following a Conservative agenda in its plans for councils, a leading Scottish chief executive sai... -
SCOTS REPORTS PUBLISHED BY HM INSPECTORS OF SCHOOLS
HM Inspectors of Schools have published the 19 follow-up reports listed below. ... -
SCOTS SEEK OWN PAY BODY
Scottish councils are unanimous in wanting to break from the National Joint Council in time for next year's pay neg... -
SCOTS STRUCTURE ADVISORS NAMED
A former Strathclyde RC chief executive has been appointed to head the body which will shape the future of local go... -
SCOTTISH EMPTY HOMES INITIATIVE - A FURTHER£7M
Scottish housing minister Calum MacDonald has issued guidelines inviting council bids for a further£7m under the E... -
SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE BUDGET CUT 'JEOPARDISES JOB REGENERATION'
The Scottish National Party's trade and industry spokesman Alasdair Morgan has condemned the decision by the Scotti... -
SCOTTISH TEACHERS LOSE EQUAL-PAY CLAIM
Scottish councils have been saved an estimated£17m after law lords threw out an equal-pay bid by nine teachers. Th... -
SCOTTISH TORIES RALLY IN TIME FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS
Scottish Tories are reorganising the party's structure in an attempt to win more votes, reports the Financial Times... -
SECOND DUMFRIES COUNCILLOR TO FACE POLICE INQUIRY
A second councillor on Dumfries and Galloway Council is at the centre of a police investigation this week following... -
SHORT TERM FREE ACCOMMODATION NOT COVERED BY PLANNING RULES
Planning controls in London do not apply to short term free accommodation provided by companies to their employees,... -
SINGLE STATUS DEAL MATCHES EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP GOALS
The single status deal covering 1.5 million staff embodies European social partnership goals. ... -
SOCIAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR WORK OVER CHRISTMAS
Social services today received praise from health secretary Frank Dobson when he thanked them for their work over t... -
SOCITM WELCOMES 'IT FOR ALL' PROGRAMME
You may have heard of the department of trade and industry's 'IT for All' initiative. This four year programme is d... -
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA AWARDS WASTE CONTRACT TO CORY
Southend-on-Sea BC has selected Cory Environmental Ltd to operate its integrated waste-management contract for a pe... -
SOUTHWARK LBC PUTS UP STREET FOR SALE
Southwark LBC is putting an entire street on the market in the hope that a developer will fund the£7m repair bill,... -
ST EDMUNDSBURY AWARDS THREE MAJOR CONTRACTS IN-HOUSE
St Edmundsbury BC has awarded three contracts for leisure management, catering services, and grounds maintenance, w... -
STAFFS 'JUSTIFIED' IN REFUSING PLACE FOR DISRUPTIVE BOY
court ref: CO/3196/97 ... -
STIRLING TO MAKE UP TO 150 REDUNDANCIES
Stirling Council is to make up to 150 staff redundant in a bid to cut£5m from its budget and to make up a£2m over... -
STRANG ENCOURAGES RESPONSIBLE CAR USE
Minister for transport, Gavin Strang, today reinforced the government's message to promote responsible car use by c... -
STRONG POLICIES NEEDED FOR ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE
Strong policies from government are needed to ensure the principles of sustainable development are applied in the E... -
SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE FOR CLEAN FUEL VEHICLES
A workshop to encourage companies in London and the South East to buy gas and electric vehicles is being held today... -
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROJECTS FUNDED
The European Commission is providing ECU140 million to support more than 200 energy initiatives under the Thermie p... -
TEES V JOINS EURO PARTNERS IN 'PROTECTING THE FUTURE' PROJECT
A major project which brings together five regions across Europe - with the aim of ensuring that 'improving the qua... -
THAMES-SIDE SITE ACQUIRED FOR DEVELOPMENT
The last significant brownfield site close to the City of London has been acquired by Capital and Income Group. ... -
THE WAY FORWARD ON£300M CHILDCARE STRATEGY MAPPED OUT
Education and employment secretary David Blunkett has outlined ... -
TODAY IN PARLIAMENT, FRIDAY 23 JANUARY
The remit and membership of the commission on local government and the Scottish parliament (tabled for answer yeste... -
TODAY IN PARLIAMENT, MONDAY 26 JANUARY
MPs will debate the Government of Wales Bill (committee third day). ... -
TODAY IN PARLIAMENT, THURSDAY 22 JANUARY
The remit and membership of the commission on local government and the Scottish parliament will be detailed in a wr... -
TODAY IN PARLIAMENT, TUESDAY 27 JANUARY
The Home Zones Bill will be introduced in the commons. ... -
TODAY IN PARLIAMENT, WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY
Probity in local government: Westminster City Council is the subject of a backbench debate. ... -
TORIES CALL FOR REGIONAL AGENCY CHANGES
Opponents of the regional development agencies will mount a campaign this week to have the boundaries of the propos... -
TORIES WIN BY-ELECTION AND KEEP CONTROL OF BEDS CC
The Conservatives have retained control of Bedfordshire CC with a majority of one after winning the Maulden by-elec... -
TOUGH SCHEME AIMS TO ENFORCE VEHICLE EMISSION LEVELS
Seven local authorities will help enforce vehicle emissions standards at the roadside under a trial scheme launched... -
TOWN COUNCIL WELCOMES VOTING REVIEW
The deputy mayor of Fowey Town Council has welcomed plans to review the mechanics of the voting system. ... -
TOWN HALL TV PLANS
The Times (p4) reports that a cable TV company is hoping to become the first to broadcast town hall debates. ... -
TRADE MINISTER CONCEDES PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFERS
Winning agreement in Europe on changing the Acquired Rights Directive would be hard, but the government wants 'at l... -
TRAFFORD, SALFORD, MANCHESTER - HEALTHY THROUGH ACTION
Manchester, Salford and Trafford councils, together with Manchester Health Authority and the Health Authority of Sa... -
TRANSPORT COMMITTEE FOR LONDON
ALG vice-chair Sally Powell has been elected as the chair of the new transport committee for London which had its f... -
TRENDS IN ONE-PARENT FAMILIES IN GREAT BRITAIN
The number of one-parent families in Great Britain in 1995 is estimated at 1.56 million, 27 per cent higher than th... -
UK EURO FUNDS TO BE EXAMINED
The way in which money from Europe is used for regeneration projects in the UK will be the subject of a conference ... -
UNION ANALYSIS: EUROPE'S MUNICIPAL WASTE MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY
The European Federation of Public-Service Unions recognises that environmental management is now at a critical stag... -
UNION ANGER AT 'PRIVATISATION' OF SCHOOLS PLAN
A campaign has been launched by the biggest teaching union to try and prevent private companies taking over failing... -
UNIONS NOMINATE RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN TO INDUSTRIAL TRIBS
The TUC is putting forward a record number of women as nominees to industrial tribunals as part of its campaign to ... -
UNISON REAFFIRMS BEST VALUE LINE
Unison is pressing managers at the best value pilot councils to involve staff at all stages. ... -
VE DUTY CONCESSION PROPOSED FOR CLEANER LORRIES & BUSES
Operators of cleaner lorries and buses will benefit from cuts in ... -
VICTORY FOR LEOMINSTER TRAVELLERS FACING EVICTION
court ref no: CO/2405/97 ... -
VILLAGERS CAMPAIGN TO SAVE GREEN BELT
Residents of a small West Yorkshire village yesterday took direct action against a proposed housing development on ... -
VISIONARY PLANNER HITS PROFESSIONAL HIGH
Trevor Roberts who this week became president of the Royal Town Planning Institute, the professional body to which ... -
VOTE YES FOR LONDON MAYOR
The build-up to May's referendum on a London mayor has intensified with the launch of a cross-party Vote Yes campai... -
WARNING OVER PRIMARY SCHOOL 'BACK-TO-BASICS' POLICY
Tomorrow's publication of primary school league tables, based solely on performance in mathematics, English and sci... -
WARNING TO LEAs: REFORM OR DIE
Local education authorities could be abolished by parliament 'at the drop of an Act', the Financial Times (p8) warn... -
WESTMINSTER SEEKS JUDICIAL REVIEW
Westminster City Council has decided to seek a judicial review of the government's 1998-99 local authority finance ... -
WIDDICOMBE TO GO IN SCOTLAND?
Unison Scotland has won the backing of a cross-party alliance of MPs in a campaign to overturn restrictions which e... -
WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE BUDGET CUTS
The Scotsman (p24) covers yesterday's announcement from Scottish Enterprise of a 4.2% cut in its budget to£454m. L... -
WOMEN MAKING WAVES IN LOCAL AUTHORITY MANAGEMENT
Women are making a huge impact in the upper echelons of councils around the country but there is still room for mor... -
WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY TO BE A MAJOR PRIORITY
Angela Eagle, environment minister with special responsibility for health and safety, outlined a number of priority...
