Local Government Chronicle
29 September 2005
View all stories from this issue.
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£1.8BN RENEWAL FOR SOLIHULL
What looks like being the largest regeneration scheme outside London is set to be launched in the West Midlands.... -
£11M OF EUROPEAN FUNDING TO HELP FIGHT INEQUALITY
A multi-million pound European-funded initiative to combat inequality in the labour market has been launched by eco... -
£13M OFFERED TO YOUTH CHARITIES
The Big Lottery Fund is looking to distribute a further£13m to national charities working on innovative projects l... -
100 PUPILS HIT BY E COLI POISONING
More than 30 schools from four local authorities in Wales have reported serious cases of food poisoning, BBC Radio ... -
2006/7 DRAFT BUDGET 'GOOD NEWS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT' SAYS MINISTER
Finance minister Sue Essex underlined the Assembly Government's determination to continue to invest for long-term s... -
76% VOTE IN FAVOUR OF HOUSING STOCK RETENTION
A vote of confidence in Wokingham DC as a landlord could see the authority retaining its housing stock, as its deci... -
A BUSY YEAR FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The last year has seen excellent progress towards making Wales a sustainable nation, minister for environment, plan... -
'A WELCOME ROLE FOR COUNCILS AS PUPILS' AND PARENTS' CHAMPION'
Responding to education secretary Ruth Kelly's speech to the Labour Party conference today (see ... -
ANALYSIS - U-TURN IS BAD NEWS FOR HOPES OF REFORM
>> Fears that deferral to 2006 will stifle debate... -
APPROVAL GIVEN TO REPLACE SCHOOL WITH ACADEMY
Waltham Forest LBC has been given approval to close a school to allow an academy to be built.... -
BACKCHAT - LOCAL DIFFICULTY
By Tim Dawes... -
BACKCHAT - TOULMIN SMITH
Grim reality... -
BAILEY WINS REPRESENTATION
Islington LBC chief executive Helen Bailey has won her battle to be legally represented at a tribunal whose ruling ... -
BEECHAM TO SCRUTINISE SERVICE DELIVERY IN WALES
Welsh councils could see functions taken away or radical changes to the way their services are funded, under a revi... -
BEST PRACTICE - LGC CONFERENCES
Developing & Delivering Children's Centres... -
BEST PRACTICE - LIVING IN HARMONY
Oxfordshire's one-stop shop approach to travellers is reducing unauthorised encampments, finds Ana Paula Nacif... -
BEST PRACTICE - SOLUTION EXCHANGE
What is food mapping and how can a council use it as part of its public health work? ... -
BEST PRACTICE - SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AWARDS 2006
New awards to celebrate cleaner, safer, greener communities... -
BEST PRACTICE - THE KNOWLEDGE
A round-up of good practice and useful information... -
BEST PRACTICE FRAUD GUIDE TO COMBAT BOGUS CLAIMANTS
Zurich Municipal has launched a best practice guide designed to reduce the number of fraudulent claims made against... -
BIDDER APPOINTED FOR CITY'S SCHOOLS£68M PFI PROJECT
Peterborough schools' private finance initiative project has today announced the appointment of IIC Bouygues Educat... -
CAMDEN COUNCIL LEADER TO LEAVE POST
Camden LBC's leader Jane Roberts has announced her decision not to stand for the position of leader in forthcoming ... -
CAREERS - CHAIN GANG
Questions... -
CAREERS - PEOPLE
MANAGEMENT... -
CAREERS - PROCURING PROCURERS
With the emphasis on value for money, effective procurers need to be strategic thinkers, too. Suzanne Simmons-Lewis... -
CAREERS - YOUR NEXT MOVE
Alia Waheed looks at two director positions at North Tyneside Council... -
CITIES PROPOSE JOINT WORKING
An LGC exclusive by Mark Smulian... -
CITY LAUNCHES COMMUNITY SAFETY STRATEGY
The Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership aims to reduce the number of premature alcohol and drug related deaths i... -
COMMUNITY GROUPS ENCOURAGED TO CASH IN ON AWARDS FOR ALL
Grants of£500 to£5,000 in lottery money are still available for community projects across England under the Award... -
COMPETITION AND CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICES
DATE: Friday 30 September 2005... -
COUNCIL REP ON REGIONAL TOURISM BOARD ELECTED
One of Winchester City Council's long-serving councillors has been voted into a key role in the tourism industry of... -
COUNCIL SCHOOLS LAG BEHIND
Parents face spot fines as figures show an increase ... -
COUNCILLORS INVESTIGATE SCALE OF DEBT IN CITY
Have You Ever Been in Debt?... -
'COUNCILS MUST MAKE A STAND AGAINST 24 HOUR DRINKING'
Local authorities must be prepared to defend their decisions on licensing hours in the courts, home secretary Charl... -
COUNCILS SET FREE
By finance editor Kerry Lorimer and reporter Nick Golding... -
'COUNCILS TRUMP THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE'
According to a survey released today by The CarbonNeutral Company local authorities are far ahead of the private se... -
COUNTY CALLS FOR FAIR SHARE OF GOVERNMENT CASH
Cambridgeshire CC has called on the government to ensure that the council gets a fair financial deal in a shake-up ... -
COUNTY SECONDEE TO LEAD ON LAAs FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICE
Cambridgeshire CC's head of strategic procurement and contract management, Andrew Gillies, has been seconded to a g... -
DATA-SHARING INITIATIVE ENTERS NEW PHASE
A national initiative that will allow councils to share data electronically moves into its second phase next week.... -
DERBYSHIRE DISTRICT TENANTS GET MIXED SERVICE
South Derbyshire council tenants are getting a 'fair' service while North East Derbyshire repairs and maintenance s... -
DISTRICT CRITICISED FOR 'POOR' APPROACH TO COMMUNITY SAFETY
The community safety service provided by East Lindsey DC is 'poor' and has 'uncertain prospects for improvement' ac... -
DISTRICT'S PLANNING SERVICE IS SET TO IMPROVE
The planning service provided by Wealden DC is 'fair' and has promising prospects for improvement, according to an ... -
DOMESTIC ABUSE RECORDED BY THE POLICE
Figures released today show a 10 per cent increase in the number of incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the pol... -
ETHNIC GROUPS DRIFT APART
Britain must stop its ethnic communities 'sleepwalking' into New Orleans-style segregation or they will face 'destr... -
EXAMINATION RESULTS IN SCOTTISH SCHOOLS
Updated statistics on the national qualifications of all pupils in publicly funded secondary schools for the period... -
EXTRA£5.95M TO DRIVE IMPROVEMENT IN THE WEST MIDLANDS
Government underlines commitment to developing even better local services... -
FEATURES - CHILDREN LEFT AT RISK BY THE LAW
Teachers have more child contact than other professionals, but schools were left out of the Children Act. Nick Gold... -
FEATURES - GETTING THE RIGHT MIX
Finding the correct balance of enforcement, prevention and empowerment could be the key to dealing with anti-social... -
FREE TRAVEL FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Disabled people across Wales are to receive free travel, thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.... -
FROM CLEAN TO GREEN: LEADING THE WAY TO A BETTER ENVIRONMENT
DATE: Monday 17 October 2005 ... -
FUNDING FOR SCOTLAND'S CANALS
Extra funding worth£3m to help improve Scotland's canal network was announced today.... -
FURTHER LIBERALISTION OF REGIONAL AIR SERVICES
Aviation minister Karen Buck today announced that the government will welcome applications from foreign airlines to... -
GREEN SPACES TAKE CENTRE STAGE
A broad range of representatives from groups involved with the Milton Keynes and South Midlands (MKSM) growth area ... -
HSE INSPECTOR MOVES TO COUNCILS' REGULATORY BODY
Sarah Moore has been appointed as a policy officer for the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services to... -
IMAGINING THE FUTURE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
The National Association of Local Councils' national conference, which took place in Eastbourne over the weekend, s... -
IMMUNITY FROM PLANNING REGS IS SCRAPPED
Councils will gain powers over government-sponsored planning applications, under proposals from planning minister Y... -
'IMPROVEMENT THROUGH COLLABORATION'
Case studies highlighting the impressive range and scope of community improvement underway in the East Midlands hav... -
IN BRIEF
Camden LBC leader Dame Jane Roberts is to stand down as leader at the Labour group internal elections in November, ... -
IT SURVEY: 'PROMISE OF INCREASED SALARIES AND GREATER RESPONSIBILITY NOT DELIVERED FOR PUBLIC SECTOR RECRUITS'
UK PUBLIC SECTOR IT FAILS TO LEARN LESSONS FROM PRIVATE SECTOR - Skilled Professionals Switching to Public Sector S... -
JOBCENTRE PLUS TO WORK CLOSER WITH VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR
David Blunkett has announced his intention to ensure Jobcentre Plus works more closely in partnership with the volu... -
'KEN LIVINGSTONE TO STAY ON FOR 11 MORE YEARS'
London Assembly Conservative leader Bob Neill has criticised Ken Livingstone for saying that he intends to run in b... -
KENT CONNECTS HEALTH PROVISION
Kent CC and Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority are to set up a joint department of public health.... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: NEW BLUEPRINT WILL SEE INCREASED POWERS FOR CITIES AND HIGH PERFORMERS
The future of local government will be addressed in 2006, prime minister Tony Blair said in his speech to the Labou... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH
Britain's economic strength in the future depends on making the right long-term decisions to meet the challenges of... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: EDUCATION SECRETARY'S SPEECH
Every child deserves the best start in life... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: 'EVERY SCOT GETTING THE RIGHT CHANCES'
Speech by Scotland first minister Jack McConnell at Labour's annual conference, Brighton ... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: IN PRAISE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Speech by local government and communities minister David Miliband to the Labour Party annual conference in Brighto... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: JOHN PRESCOTT SPEECH
Deputy leader John Prescott opened Labour's annual conference with a speech celebrating Labour's historic third gen... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: 'MERGE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TO BOOST PATIENT FUNDS'
By Alastair McLellan ... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: SWIPE AT LIB DEM-RUN COUNCILS
Powers in the new Government of Wales Act which will get 'particular jobs done, like in local government' should be... -
LABOUR CONFERENCE: 'WE WILL REINFORCE A CULTURE OF RESPECT'
Crackdown on crime and terror... -
'LABOUR PARTY MOTION ON MORE HOMES MUST NOT BE IGNORED'
Responding to the Labour conference's resolution yesterday in support of Shelter's call for more investment in soci... -
LAMBETH SEEKS INSIDER CHIEF
Lambeth LBC is advertising for a chief executive who is a local government insider. ... -
LEAD AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP PROVISION FOR GIFTED AND TALENTED CHILDREN PICKED
Cumbria CC has been appointed by the DfES to be the lead authority in England to develop effective provision for gi... -
LEADER - REVALUATION IS A TICKING TIMEBOMB
Capping chaos looms as Miliband gets it wrong... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - DELAY MAKES SENSE
The decision to postpone revaluation (LGC, 22 September) is to be welcomed. It would be folly to rush to fix one pa... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - DEVIL IN THE DETAIL
On behalf of the Association for Council Secretaries & Solicitors, I write to express our support for the recommend... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - FUNDING MELTDOWN
Revaluation would not of itself address the underlying funding problem (LGC, 22 September). The current funding pos... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - IT'S NOT JUST SPORT
Newham's fall in youth crime is excellent (LGC, 22 September). However, I hope Newham's pre-Olympic hype won't obsc... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - LEARN FROM THE PAST
David Miliband is right to defer the revaluation of council tax in England until Sir Michael Lyons completes his in... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - STUCK WITH JAMS
Carol Grant may be right that 'making people feel good about where they live is now the name of the game' (LGC, 22 ... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - WASTED OPPORTUNITY
The U-turn on local government funding (LGC, 22 September) has delayed an opportunity to reverse the centralising t... -
LGA REACTS AS PENSIONER IN COUNCIL TAX PROTEST JAILED FOR A WEEK
A pensioner was jailed today for seven days for refusing to pay her council tax in full, BBC Radio Four's Today pro... -
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMEN INVESTIGATION REPORTS ISSUED SINCE 1 SEPTEMBER
Findings of maladministration causing injustice ... -
LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES IN THE SUNDAY PAPERS
SCHOOL VENDING MACHINES TO FALL UNDER NEW NUTRITIONAL STANDARDS... -
LONDON READY FOR MORE POWERS, AS MAYOR SETS OUT ARGUMENT FOR FURTHER DEVOLUTION
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has outlined his plans for the further devolution of power to London government i... -
'LONGER LIVES TO TRIGGER HOUSING TIME BOMB'
People living longer and living alone is fuelling a severe housing shortfall on a scale to match the looming pensio... -
MENTOR - CAREER CLINIC
Our council is planning to set up a flexible working scheme as a way of encouraging people to stay in their jobs. W... -
MENTOR - HAPPY STAFF ARE HARDER WORKERS
Keeping spirits up helps in achieving positive performance. Adrian O'Dowd looks at ways to address workplace morale... -
MENTOR - JARGON BUSTER
What are workplace values?... -
MENTOR - TOP TIPS
How to . . . spot a fake sickie... -
MILIBAND BITES BACK
was minister for communities and local government David Miliband's response to being last week's kdfjdlkfjkldfjkld... -
MILIBAND CALLS FOR VARIABLE CITY MODEL
No one-size-fits-all plan, says minister... -
MORE POWER FOR PARENTS
The Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill, published today, will make it easier for parents to get involved ... -
'MOST COUNCIL FINANCE DIRECTORS AGREE IT'S TIME TO SHARE SERVICES'
As local authorities struggle on with Gershon, a report by Serco shows overwhelming support for shared services.... -
NEW CHAIR APPOINTED TO THE RAIL PASSENGERS COUNCIL
Colin Foxall has been appointed as chairman of the new Rail Passengers Council. His appointment commenced on 23 Sep... -
NEW LEADER FOR CONWY
Goronwy Edwards has been elected leader of Conwy CBC following Emlyn Davies' resignation due to ill health.... -
NEW ODPM PERMANENT SECRETARY IS FORMER COUNTY CHIEF
Former Nottinghamshire CC chief executive, Peter Housden, currently director general for schools at the Department ... -
NEW PLANS TO FIGHT OFF LOAN SHARKS THROUGH AFFORDABLE CREDIT
David Blunkett, secretary of state for work and pensions, has unveiled a new package of measures to help people bui... -
NEW RULES FOR GREENER URBAN SPACE
'Urban Code' launches campaign for smarter planting strategies... -
NEW TEMPLATES COULD GIVE SHAPE TO BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
A support package to improve the potential implementation of groundbreaking environmental legislation was published... -
'NHS DEBTS CRIPPLING SOCIAL SERVICES'
By Nigel Burnham ... -
OMBUDSMEN PLAN SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS
Further improvements to the complaints handling service provided by the local government ombudsmen are planned foll... -
ON YOUR MIND - WORKLOAD JUST KEEPS ON RISING
Reforms mean there's no rest for hard-pressed legal officers... -
ONE IN FOUR LIKELY TO FACE CAPPING IN 2006
An LGC exclusive by Kerry Lorimer, finance editor... -
ONE YEAR SINCE NEW DISABILITY LAWS BUT ATTITUDES STILL NEED TO CHANGE
As recent rights for disabled people reach their first anniversary today, more on the horizon will provide a compre... -
OPINION - DAVID CURRY
Young Mr Miliband was agitated. The minister for communities and local government had no appetite for his cup of he... -
OPINION - VIEWPOINTS
Should we have a place in a new upper house?... -
PASSPORT WILL 'REVOLUTIONISE THE WAY THE CLEANING INDUSTRY OPERATES'
From today cleaners may need a skills passport to get work, according to industry voice, the British Cleaning Counc... -
PLANNERS ARE KEY TO LOWERING EMISSIONS
Minister urges integrated action... -
PLANNING CONDITIONS DON'T INCLUDE PROVISION FOR COMMERCIAL PARKING IN FIELD, SAYS COUNCIL
A man clashed with North Somerset Council in a courtroom battle over his right to provide lucrative car-parking fac... -
PLANNING GRANT IS IMPROVING PERFORMANCE - NEW RESEARCH SHOWS
Local authorities' delivery of planning services is improving as a result of the Planning Delivery Grant (PDG), new... -
PLANNING SERVICE RATED 'FAIR' DESPITE GRANT SCANDAL
A council hit by a scandal over falsified planning data has seen its planning service rated 'fair with uncertain im... -
POLICE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT PUBLISHED
Proposals to refine the way Scottish police service establishes its priorities and manages its performance, were pu... -
POPULATION TRENDS: COUNCILS WITH THE MOST ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Coverage United Kingdom Theme Population and Migration... -
POSITIVE IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S SERVICES
Services for children in Birmingham have 'improved' according to a government report published today.... -
PRENTIS WARNS BLAIR ON PENSIONS STRIKE
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis issued a stark warning that unless the government deals seriously with public... -
PROGRESS IN REDUCTION OF WELSH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Emissions of greenhouse gases in Wales in 2003 were 0.6 million tonnes lower than in 1990 according to new figures.... -
PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT FIGURES
Public sector employment increased by 95,000 in the 12 months to the second quarter 2005 to stand at 5.846 million.... -
REGULATORY SYSTEM OVERHAUL WILL STRENGTHEN PROTECTION
The Hampton review will strengthen the protection local authorities give the public, said a Cabinet Office minister... -
REINVENTING THE CITY
Birmingham has been chosen to host a major Anglo-French conference on urban design and regeneration, Reinventing th... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 13:35HRS
PRIME MINISTER SIGNALS CHANGE IN SPENDING PRIORITIES... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 14:15HRS
ANTI-SOCIAL OFFENDERS FACE INTERIM ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ORDERS, STIFFER BANS AND FINES... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 14:25HRS
SCHOOL CATERERS WARN OVER DRIVE FOR HEALTHY MENUS... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES IN THE REGIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 16:50HRS
SHAKE-UP FOR POLICE AND FIRE BRIGADES MOVES CLOSER... -
RURAL HOUSING COMMISSION GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS
The Affordable Rural Housing Commission has met for the first time, following finalisation of its membership.... -
SCHOOL CATERERS WARN OVER DRIVE FOR HEALTHY MENUS
The government will ban junk food being sold in schools, education secretary Ruth Kelly will tell the Labour party ... -
SMALL AWARDS FUND FOR RURAL SERVICES
A new fund providing small grants for rural community projects has been launched today.... -
SOCIAL FOCUS ON DEPRIVED AREAS
A new, wide-ranging statistical analysis of Scotland's most deprived areas using previously published social and en... -
STUDY CONCLUDES PUBLIC SECTOR PENSIONS COSTS RISING IN LINE WITH PRIVATE SECTOR SCHEMES
Demographic study provides powerful authoritative evidential base... -
TEACHERS: YOUR STANDARDS, YOUR CAREER, YOUR SAY!
England's 430,000 teachers are invited to have their say on the revision of standards for classroom teachers, by th... -
TEST PURCHASING OF ALCOHOL TO GO AHEAD
The Crown Office has approved the principle of test purchasing of alcohol by young people for the purposes of enfor... -
THINK SMARTER ON ASBOs, SAYS BLEARS
Councils will be encouraged to form new partnerships to work with the most hardcore problem families in the drive a... -
'THREE OUT OF FOUR LONDONERS REJECT EXTENDING THE CONGESTION CHARGE ZONE'
London Assembly Conservatives have accused mayor Ken Livingstone of a 'miserable failure of leadership' after he an... -
TONY TRAVERS - DAVID EDGAR'S PLAY RECOGNISES LOCAL GOVERNMENT'S ROLE
Local government has rarely achieved such a high profile in contemporary culture. David Edgar's Playing with Fire, ... -
TRIGGER NEEDED FOR LOCAL ACTION
During the main conference hall debate on respect, Home Office minister Hazel Blears called for local people to be ... -
TWO TREATED FOR LEGIONNAIRES
A public health investigation is under way in north east Scotland after two people contracted legionnaire's disease... -
'VITAL' ROLE TO BRING THE FAITHS TOGETHER
>> Handling community cohesion through democratic institutions... -
WATCHDOG CALLS FOR SEARCH FEE REGULATION
Income from property search fees should be regulated with ministers suggesting appropriate charges, according to th... -
WELSH COUNCILS JOIN UP TO FIGHT E-COLI OUTBREAK
Environmental health officers in Bridgend CBC moved swiftly to close a local meat supplier after an outbreak of dea... -
'WEST LONDON TRAM DELAYED ALMOST A YEAR'
Mayor Ken Livingstone has announced that the proposed West London Tram scheme will be delayed by a year to allow fo... -
WHITEHALL WILL NOT PRESCRIBE PRIMARY CARE TRUST ANSWERS
By Mary-Louise Harding ...
