Local Government Chronicle
6 February 2003
View all stories from this issue.
-
£5.2M BOOST FOR COMMUNITY ENERGY SCHEMES
Energy-saving schemes to heat low-income households, hospitals and ... -
£75,000 EXTRA FOR LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITIES (ENGLAND)
Every local planning authority will get at least£75,000 extra in the ... -
ACTION NEEDED TO REDUCE LANDFILL
A report published today by the Accounts Commission shows that too much waste is going to landfill and not enough i... -
ANGLESEY'S HOMELESSNESS SERVICE IS 'GOOD'
The homelessness service provided by Anglesey CC is 'good with promising prospects for improvement' according to an... -
ANIMAL WELFARE GUIDE HIGHLIGHTS GOOD PRACTICE IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES
The animal welfare work carried out by local authorities is being highlighted in a new good practice guide publishe... -
ANNUAL REPORT ON STANDARDS AND QUALITY IN EDUCATION PUBLISHED
More pupils than ever are benefiting from improvements ... -
BOLTON AGREES£10M E-GOV DEAL
Fujitsu Consulting has been awarded a 10-year contract by Bolton MBC to provide the linchpin in the council's plans... -
BOROUGHS BITE BACK
Councils have refused to accept blame over last week's snow chaos despite a barrage of righteous indignation from t... -
BOURNEMOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES HAS ALREADY RESPONDED TO CHALLENGES DETAILED IN JOINT REPORT
Bournemouth social services serve some local people well, but prospects for improvement are uncertain, according to... -
BRENT CHIEF REFUSES TO BE LAMING FALL GUY
Brent LBC chief executive Gareth Daniel has attacked Lord Laming's report into the death of Victoria Climbie saying... -
BRISTOL CITY AND SUTTON LBC PICK PARIS FOR IT
Bristol City Council has selected the PARIS portfolio of IT solutions from in4tek to support their social services ... -
BROMSGROVE'S LEISURE SERVICE GETS A 'FAIR' REPORT
Leisure facilities run by Bromsgrove DC are fair and set to improve according to an independent report. ... -
BROWN PUTS CENTRAL CONTROL TO THE TORCH
Gordon Brown has called for a 'bonfire of the old input, interventionist, departmentalist controls over front-line ... -
BURNLEY BC LEISURE SERVICE FAIR, BUT UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT
The leisure service provided by Burnley BC is fair but has uncertain prospects for improvement, according to an ind... -
BUSINESS TO FUND TRANSPORT GAINS
Improvements to London's decrepit transport system could be funded by revenue from the businesses which benefit, ac... -
CASUALTIES CUT BY CAMERAS
Deaths and serious injuries fell by 35% on roads where speed cameras ... -
CHANGES AT THE HOME OFFICE - TOP MANAGEMENT FOCUS ON DELIVERY
Changes in the senior team at the Home Office were announced today by ... -
CHARLIE WATSON TO TAKE THE HELM IN HERTFORDSHIRE
Charlie Watson, currently Hertfordshire CC's director of environment, has postponed his retirement to take the helm... -
CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT FOR EMRLGA
Janet Ward takes up her appointment as East Midlands Regional Local Government Association's chief executive today,... -
COME CLEAN ON£73BN PFI DEBT, CHANCELLOR TOLD
Chancellor Gordon Brown should declare the estimated£73bn of debts relating to PFI contracts in his Budget red boo... -
COMMENT - ROBBING THE 'EXCELLENT' TO GIVE TO THE POOR
The comprehensive performance assessment appears to have had the predicted result of creating a flight of chief exe... -
COMMITTEE BACKS PLANNERS
Allegations that the planning system is damaging the economy are without foundation, MPs have said. ... -
COMMITTEE SLAMS PFI SELECTIONS
The House of Commons public accounts committee has criticised the system used to judge the merits of public and pri... -
COMMUNITES PLAN: BIG HOUSING PUSH TO BE DRIVEN BY REGIONS
Commenting on the statement* by the deputy prime minister on the publication of the government's plan for sustainab... -
COMMUNITIES COULD FUND LOCAL HOSPITALS
Councils could raise funds to finance hospitals, health secretary Alan Milburn has said. ... -
COMMUNITIES MUST NOW DRIVE THE PLAN, NOT WHITEHALL
Sustainable development, housing growth and renewal must be driven from ... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN ADDRESSES NEED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN RURAL AREAS
The commitment to increase the supply of affordable housing in ... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT FRAMEWORK SAY HOUSING PROFESSIONALS
The Chartered Institute of Housing warmly welcomes the Communities Plan* announced by the deputy prime minister. We... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN 'SOUNDS DEATH KNELL FOR COUNCIL HOUSING': UNION
Unison has expressed anger at the government's Communities Plan*, saying it sounded the death knell for council hou... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN: COUNTY'S MIXED RESPONSE TO DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER'S PLANS
With much of the detail of the deputy prime minister's announcement* on sustainable communities not yet clear, Esse... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN: 'EXTENSION OF THE 'QUANGO STATE' IS A 'STEP CHANGE' BACKWARDS'
Local government think tank, the Local Government Information Unit, ... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN: HOUSING CORPORATION TO RUN NEW TASK FORCE
The Housing Corporation is to head a new task force bringing wider choice to aspiring home owners as part of the de... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN: LONDON COUNCILS WANT TARGETED INVESTMENT
Commenting on the publication on the Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future, Association of London Govern... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN: PATHFINDER ON COURSE FOR MAJOR FUNDING
The project designed to tackle the problems of low demand and abandonment in ... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN: PATHFINDER PARTNERS WELCOME PROMISE OF MILLIONS
Issued on behalf of the Oldham & Rochdale Local Strategic Partnerships ... -
COMMUNITIES PLAN: 'PRESCOTT DECLARES WAR ON HOMEOWNERS'
Commenting on John Prescott's plans to introduce 'compulsory leasing' of empty private homes - as announced in his ... -
CONGESTION CHARGE WILL HIT POOR, SAYS COMMONS COMMITTEE
The commons transport select committee has criticised the congestion charge scheme to be introduced in London next ... -
CONSULTATION ON DRAFT AREA INSPECTION FRAMEWORK FOR 14-19 SECTOR
The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Adult Learning ... -
CONWY'S COUNTRYSIDE SERVICE IS 'GOOD' BUT WITH 'UNCERTAIN PROSPECTS'
The countryside service provided by Conwy CBC is 'good with uncertain prospects for improvement' according to an in... -
CONWY'S HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE SERVICE GETS 'FAIR' REPORT
The highways maintenance service provided by Conwy CBC is 'fair with uncertain prospects for improvement' according... -
CORPORATION OF LONDON ON LOOK OUT FOR CLERK
The Corporation of London is recruiting a town clerk to replace Tim Simmons, who retires in June. ... -
COSLA HAPPY WITH HIGHLAND COUNCIL'S DECISION
COSLA president Pat Watters today said that he was happy that the elected ... -
'COUNCIL CHIEFS' PAY SOARS AS TAX RISES LOOM'
Local authority chief executives have been awarded pay rises up to 10 times the rate of inflation, while householde... -
COUNCILLORS SEEK REASSURANCE OVER PRESCOTT'S HOUSEBUILDING PLANS
Councillors from the Milton Keynes area - one of the four designated zones to take the bulk of new housebuilding in... -
COUNCILS ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL REGIONAL CAMPAIGN
Twenty-five district auditors of councils in the north east of England are to receive formal complaints that the No... -
COURT UPHOLDS ASBO RULING
An appeal by a drug user against an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) banning him from drug hot spots in Camden ha... -
DEATH OF REDBRIDGE LBC LEADER
It is with great sadness that Redbridge LBC announces the death on Sunday of its leader, Keith Axon, aged 57. ... -
DEFENDING PUBLIC SERVICES AGAINST THREATS TO ICT SYSTEMS
The Institute of Public Finance (IPF) and the Audit Commission have developed an easy-to-use online survey to help ... -
DESPITE BEING CONCRETED OVER BY PROPERTY OWNERS, PUBLIC HIGHWAY REMAINS RIGHT OF WAY
A mid-Glamorgan couple has failed at London's court of appeal in a bid to challenge a ruling by Cardiff County Cour... -
DIARY - TOULMIN SMITH
The south-east ground to a spectacular halt last Thursday night, as snow terrorised traffic. Rather than councils g... -
DOVER'S BENEFIT ADMINISTRATION AND COUNTER-FRAUD ACTIVITY A CURATE'S EGG
The Department for Work and Pensions has published a report by the ... -
DRIVERLESS TAXIS GET THUMBSDOWN
The Welsh Assembly has snubbed plans to introduce a system of futuristic driverless taxis around Cardiff. ... -
EALING RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTS CLIMBIE RESPONSIBILITY
Ealing LBC has finally admitted failures in the handling of the Victoria Climbie case following the publication of ... -
E-BUSINESS: A PROGRESS REPORT FROM 'ECONOMIC TRENDS'
Customers are the major winners from e-business as it boosts ... -
ELECTIONS - ACCESS ALL AREAS?
The Electoral Commission today begins a consultation looking at what is needed to give everyone the same opportunit... -
ENABLING LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO COMPETE FOR LAND CHARGE BUSINESS
Local land charge officers should embrace the National Land Information Service to give local authorities a competi... -
EX CORPORATION OF LONDON CHIEF BECOMES UK OPERA'S FIRST LADY
Judith Mayhew has been elected as the new chairman of the board of directors of the Royal Opera House. She will joi... -
EXCELLENT PROSPECTS FOR READING'S SOCIAL SERVICES
Reading social services serves some people well and the prospects for improvement are excellent, according to a rep... -
EXPERIENCES OF ETHNICITY - A REPORT ON ATTITUDES IN LINCOLNSHIRE
Lincolnshire CC, through the libraries special services department, has been supporting a Children's Fund initiativ... -
EXTERNAL REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS LAUNCHED
Minister of state at the Cabinet Office, Douglas Alexander, today announced a radical and external review of govern... -
FBU CALLS FOR FAIR PAY IN A MODERN AND IMPROVED FIRE SERVICE
On entering fresh talks at ACAS today, FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said: ... -
FEATURES - A VINTAGE YEAR
Good local leadership needs careful cultivation. Paul Wheeler looks at how to grow the councillors of the future. ... -
FEATURES - AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Best Value Inspection Service ... -
FEATURES - EDUCATION
Small enough to be manageable, but large enough to be a real experiment and with a reputation for excellence, Telfo... -
FEATURES - E-GOV.UK
A little like mints perhaps, e-government appears to come in various strengths. Many of the policy papers take what... -
FEATURES - LAST-DITCH ATTEMPT
The Conservatives could win more local election seats than any other party in May, but will this save Iain Duncan S... -
FEATURES - LAW
It is ironic that while most people use mobile phones, our objection to the siting of telecommunication masts in ou... -
FEATURES - LAWFULLY UNLAWFUL
In the first of an occasional series of legal columns Damien Welfare looks at Section 28 ... -
FEATURES - NEW LOCALISM IS THE NEW BLACK
Localism is the height of political fashion this season. Nick Raynsford, Eric Pickles and Edward Davey give us thei... -
FEATURES - VOTES FOR 16 YEAR OLDS
The youth suffragettes have arrived! What do they want? The right to vote for 16 and 17 year olds. The new Votes at... -
FINANCE ORDER FOR£7BN SETTLEMENT
The Local Government Finance Order 2003 being discussed in parliament asks MSPs to approve an 8.5 percent increase ... -
FIRE DISPUTE: EMPLOYERS WELCOME DRAWING BACK FROM FURTHER STRIKES
The Local Government Association welcomes the ... -
FLEXIBLE WORKING: HERTS GOES BEYOND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
Hertfordshire CC is launching new family friendly flexible working polices for its 28,000 employees. ... -
FORMER HIGH SHERIFF REFUSES TO PAY COUNCIL TAX
A former magistrate and high sheriff of Shropshire is refusing to settle his council tax bill and is prepared to go... -
FRESH TRIBUNAL TO DECIDE WHETHER COUNCIL MUST PAY FOR DYSLEXIC BOY TO ATTEND SPECIALIST RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL
A severely dyslexic boy refused local authority funding to attend a specialist residential school today won a high ... -
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS PFI - BUT FAILS TO SAY HOW PROCEDURES HAVE IMPROVED
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
GOVERNMENT LIBRARY STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS UNVEILED
Ground-breaking libraries such as Peckham, Norwich and Bournemouth, ... -
'GOVERNMENT PAY AWARD TREATS TEACHERS WITH CONTEMPT'
Commenting on the government's increase of 2.9%, National Union of Teachers general secretary Doug McAvoy said: ... -
GOVERNMENT RULES OUT REVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
GOVERNMENT SECURES GROUNDBREAKING DEAL WITH ORACLE FOR PROVISION OF IT SYSTEMS
Peter Gershon, chief executive of the Office of Government Commerce ... -
GOVERNMENT TO BAN FBU STRIKES DURING IRAQ WAR
The attorney general, Lord Goldsmith, will seek a court injunction to ban a strike by firefighters during a war aga... -
GOVERNMENT URGED TO SCRAP PROXY VOTING
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
GOVERNMENT WAKES UP TO CLIMATE CHANGE - WORLD IS HOTTING UP ACCORDING TO DEFRA REPORT
A new report was published today setting out how government policy ... -
GOVERNMENT WILLING TO CONSIDER STRENGTHENING LEA REPRESENTATION IN EXCLUSION APPEALS
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
HALTON BC RETAINS STRONG TRACK RECORD ON URBAN RENEWAL
The urban renewal service provided by Halton BC is good and has promising prospects for improvement, according to a... -
HEALTH SECRETARY ON LOCALISM: 'FROM RHETORIC TO REALITY'
Full text of a speech by health secretary Alan Milburn to an event organised by the New Local Government Network an... -
HIGHLAND COUNCIL VOTES TO REMAIN IN COSLA
The Highland Council is to seek a report from its chief executive on the work of the Convention of Scottish Local A... -
HOME FOR WELSH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS TRIBUNAL ANNOUNCED
The Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales, which comes into effect on 1 April 2003, will be based in Llandri... -
HOME OFFICE PROMISES URGENT ACTION TO PREVENT RUSH OF POLICE TO THE MET
Home Office minister John Denham, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, promised action 'within weeks rather t... -
HOMELESSNESS ACT 'HAMPERED BY SOCIAL SERVICES RELUCTANCE'
The reluctance of social services to work with housing departments is ... -
HOUSEBUILDING STATISTICS: DECEMBER 2002
In December 2002, it is estimated that 10,700 dwellings were started ... -
HOUSING THE PEOPLE - GROWING THE ECONOMY
Housing in England has received a massive multi-billion pound boost ... -
HOW MEDIATION IN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INEFFICIENCY
The potential ability of third parties such as the government with the firefighters or London mayor Ken Livingstone... -
HYDER TO BUILD BATH PROCESSES
Hyder Business Services has been chosen by Bath & North East Somerset Council to develop technology and business pr... -
INQUIRY INTO RURAL REGENERATION SHOWS COUNCILS BEST PLACED TO STIMULATE REVIVAL
A major inquiry of over 100 local and national bodies across the ... -
INTERVENTION PLANNED FOR THE SPRING
By Varya Shaw, political correspondent. ... -
IS GOVERNMENT TOWN HALL 'MODERNISATION' WORKING?
A new breed of executive local councillor is emerging across the country, ... -
KEEP UP PUBLIC SPENDING PLANS, UNIONS SAY IN BUDGET SUBMISSION
The top priority for the budget must be to keep up the government's public spending plans says the TUC in its budge... -
'LABOUR TARGET SETTING DAMAGES PUBLIC SERVICES'
Britain's public services are being seriously undermined by the government's obsession with target setting, Michael... -
LANCASTER SLAPPED ON THE CRINKLEY BOTTOM AFTER£2M THEME PARK LOSS
Lancaster City Council is criticised in a district auditor's report after losing£2m following a deal with a firm r... -
LAND OWNERS FAIL TO OVERTURN COMPULSORY PURCHASE VALUATION
The former owners of a small strip of land at Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, which was compulsorily purchased by Somerse... -
'LEAs MISUNDERSTANDING PAY GRANTS,' SAYS UNION
Education secretary Charles Clarke has replied to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers to clarify the funding ... -
LEVY TO FUND TRANSPORT HOME FROM CLUBS SUGGESTED
Nightclub owners and the organisers of town-centre discos which stay ... -
LGC - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Laming's scapegoats? ... -
LIBERATA AWARDS£90M FM OUTSOURCING CONTRACT
Jarvis plc, the facilities management and infrastructure services group, has been appointed by Liberata plc to prov... -
LIVINGSTONE SECURES TUBE
London mayor Ken Livingstone has signed a deal to take over running the dilapidated tube after protracted legal bat... -
LOCAL GOVERNANCE BILL IMPOTENT SAYS COSLA
An impotent piece of legislation is how Cosla described the publication of the Local Governance (Scotland) Bill*. ... -
LOCAL GOVERNANCE BILL PUBLISHED
The executive's Local Governance (Scotland) Bill has been published. ... -
LOCAL PLAN TRUMPS OPTION TO PURCHASE
London's high court has backed West Berkshire Council's refusal to allocate Thatcham farmland for a 550-home develo... -
LONDON FUND SIGNS UP TO PENSIONS FORUM
The London Pensions Fund Authority is joining a forum of around 25 councils aiming to encourage corporate responsib... -
LONDON TEACHERS TO GET PAY INCENTIVES
Education secretary Charles Clarke today welcomed the recommendations of the independent School Teachers' Review Bo... -
LORD CHANCELLOR'S SALARY - STATEMENT
The Lord Chancellor's increased salary entitlement, announced ... -
'LOWER VOTING AGE TO 14 AND GIVE FAMILIES 'BABY BALLOTS''
The voting age should be lowered to 14 and families given 'baby ballots' to give children a bigger political voice.... -
MANCHESTER MPs KEEP UP PRESSURE OVER CENSUS FIGURES - AND RSG SETTLEMENT
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
MID BEDS EXTENDS CONCESSIONARY BUS FARES
Mid Bedfordshire DC has decided to extend their concessionary bus fare scheme to men aged 60 to 64 so that the age ... -
MILBURN LISTENS AND THEN GOES AHEAD ANYWAY
After 15 months and at a cost of£3.8m the Victoria Climbie inquiry report has finally been published. In all it ma... -
MINISTER BACKS HOUSING PFI
Housing minister Tony McNulty is calling for a change in the law to allow councils to build social housing using th... -
MORE HELP TO ADAPT THE HOMES OF DISABLED PEOPLE
The government has announced a substantial increase in next year's ... -
MORE ROOM ON THE BUSES
Bus passengers can now enjoy greater comfort and more seats thanks to ... -
MOST COUNCILS ACHIEVING OR EXCEEDING MINIMUM TARGETS FOR INSPECTING FOOD BUSINESSES
The vast majority of local authorities are carrying out 50% or more ... -
MOUNTBATTEN JOINS FIGHT AGAINST PRESCOTT DEVELOPMENT
Countess Mountbatten of Burma - daughter of Earl Mountbatten, second world war supreme allied commander in south ea... -
NEGLIGENT HOUSEHOLDER MUST PAY FOR COUNCIL HAVING MADE HIS PROPERTY SAFE
A Cambridge resident has failed in an appeal court move in London to side-step a court order that he foot the£30,0... -
NEW ASYLUM SITES TO BE ANNOUNCED
The government plans to reveal locations of up to four new centres to accomodate 3,000 asylum-seekers this week, re... -
NEW CATERING BUSINESSES TARGETED IN CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT FOOD POISONING
Every week hundreds of new catering businesses open their doors to ... -
NEW CHIEF DRINKING WATER INSPECTOR APPOINTED
Jeni Colbourne has been appointed chief inspector of ... -
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE EMERGENCY PLANNING COLLEGE
Michael Charlton-Weedy has been appointed chief executive of the ... -
NEW LOCALISM - EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES (CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH)
The text of the speech made by the chancellor of the ... -
NEW POWERS, DETERMINED ACTION AND CO-OPERATION NEEDED TO TACKLE TRAVELLERS' WASTE, SAYS MEACHER
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
NEW PROJECT TO BREAK CYCLE OF DRUG RELATED CRIME - LOCATIONS ANNOUNCED
A new programme to help those leaving prison stay off drugs was ... -
NEW REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION PERFORMANCE SUPPORTIVE OF PFI
Most construction work under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is being delivered on time and at the cost expect... -
NEW ROYAL PARKS ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTED
Tessa Blackstone, minister for the arts, today announced the ... -
NEXT STEPS IN ASYLUM SEEKER ACCOMMODATION CENTRE TRIAL
The government is considering the suitability of a smaller-scale accommodation centre for asylum seekers at HMS Dae... -
'NIMBY FEARS MUST BE SILENCED AND HOMES BUILT TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS'
On the day that John Prescott announced his Sustainable Communities plan*, Shelter warned that plan must deliver th... -
NORTH KESTEVEN DC'S LEISURE JUDGED 'FAIR' PRIOR TO TRUST PARTNERSHIP
The leisure services provided by North Kesteven DC are fair and have promising prospects for improvement, according... -
'NOT JUST THE COUNCILS TO BLAME FOR SCOTLAND'S APPALLING RECYCLING RECORD'
It is not just councils that are to blame for Scotland's appalling recycling record, everyone has a responsibility ... -
ODPM HOPES EXTRA STAFF WILL PUT SECTION BACK ON TRACK
The ODPM is hoping to fill two senior civil service posts by the end of February in a bid to shore up its local gov... -
OFF-SHORE AIRPORTS AND HOMES FLOATED TO COUNTER OVERCROWDING
Developers view the colonisation of the sea as the solution to chronic overcrowding and soaring house prices, accor... -
OPEN SPACES AND PARKS GET£200M BOOST
Britain's parks and open spaces have been shown they matter with a ... -
OPINION - CERTAIN UNCERTAINTY
In the debate about the future of child protection the one thing of which we can be certain is uncertainty. In part... -
PARK AUTHORITY'S PLANNING SERVICES ARE 'FAIR'
Planning services provided by the Peak District National Park Authority are fair, with uncertain prospects for impr... -
PAY AWARD WILL HELP TEACHER WORKLOAD - EDUCATION SECRETARY
Education secretary Charles Clarke today endorsed the recommendations(7) of the independent School Teachers' Review... -
PENSIONERS REMINDED TO CLAIM HELP WITH FUEL BILLS
Pensions minister Ian McCartney today reminded pensioners to claim ... -
'PERFORMANCE PAY GRANT IS CLEARLY INADEQUATE'
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers has written to education secretary Charles Clarke to protest at the fundi... -
POLICE SETTLEMENT: 6% BOOST IN INVESTMENT
Substantially increased investment in policing in England and Wales ... -
POOR REPORT FOR NORTHAMPTON HOUSING REPAIRS SERVICE
The housing repairs and maintenance service provided by Northampton BC has been rated poor in an independent report... -
POOREST PERFORMERS ATTRACT STAFF
The publication of the comprehensive performance assessment has seen a surge in the number of chief executive posts... -
PRAISE FOR CANTERBURY'S HOMELESSNESS AND ADVICE SERVICE
Canterbury City Council provides one of the best homelessness and housing advice services in the country, according... -
PRESCOTT SETS OUT ACTION PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
A£22bn plan to drive forward thriving and sustainable ... -
PRIMARY EDUCATION: THE WAY AHEAD - CLARKE'S FULL SPEECH
Education and skills secretary Charles Clarke today set out the way ahead for government and primary schools to con... -
PROGRESS ON SINGLE STATUS COMES TO A VIRTUAL STANDSTILL
Councils in England and Wales are still failing to introduce single-status pay and conditions for their workforces ... -
PUPILS BANNED FROM PLAY BECAUSE OF SECTION 28 FEARS
A highly successful play - based on the true story of the murder of a 21-year-old gay student in the USA and local ... -
'RADICAL NEW SPECIALIST SYSTEM TO TRANSFORM SECONDARY EDUCATION' - CLARKE
A radical new strategy to transform secondary education was set out ... -
REGIONAL CAMPAIGN HIT BY DURHAM BLOW
A survey on an elected assembly for the north-east by Durham CC has produced disappointing results for regional fan... -
RENFREWSHIRE STREAMLINES BENEFIT AND REVENUE SYSTEMS
Sx3 has announced that it will be providing Renfrewshire Council with new ... -
REVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
A comprehensive assessment of mental health services, to take account of the Mental Health (Scotland) Bill, has now... -
ROADSHOW AND NEW LOTTERY REVIEW WILL TARGET PLACES IN NEED
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS
WEATHER THREATENS PRESCOTT'S HOUSING PLANS ... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 11:40HRS
UNION PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS TO COUNTER BNP PREJUDICE IN SUNDERLAND ... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 12:20HRS
TREASURY ANNOUNCES STRENGTHENING OF NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE ... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 08:35HRS
£95,000 PAYOUT FOR FORMER EXAMS CHIEF'S 'DISTRESS' OVER SACKING AFTER A-LEVELS FIASCO ... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 13:35HRS
CROYDON TRAM PROJECT THREATENS TO BE PFI CASUALTY ... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STORIES IN THE REGIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 17:25HRS
WALES LAGGING SIGNIFICANTLY BEHIND ENGLAND ON PFI DEALS ... -
SCHOOL BUILDING INVESTMENT: FUND DISTRIBUTION CHANGES PROPOSED
The Welsh Assembly's commitment to£1bn of capital investment in school buildings until the end of the decade has b... -
SCOTTISH SHOP WORKERS SET TO GET SUNDAY WORKING PROTECTION
By LGCnet political correspondent Robert Hedley ... -
SHIRLEY PORTER: COURT WIDENS FREEZING AND DISCLOSURE ORDERS
Westminster City Council's application was heard today to widen the freezing and disclosure orders made against Shi... -
SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN LINCOLNSHIRE EDUCATION ACCLAIMED BY OFSTED
Lincolnshire CC's education service has made significant improvements, as seen in the latest Ofsted report into the... -
SIMPKINS SWAPS SOUTH HOLLAND FOR THE FALKLANDS
South Holland DC chief executive Chris Simpkins is leaving to become chief executive of the Falkland Islands. ... -
SMALL BUSINESS RATE RELIEF SCHEME
The small business rate relief scheme will commence from 1 April. The introduction of the scheme will provide rates... -
SUBSTANTIVE NEGOTIATIONS TO START IN FIRE DISPUTE
The FBU executive council last night welcomed a positive intervention in the current fire dispute from the deputy p... -
SWANSEA SWOOPS FOR HARINGEY'S MR FIXIT
Tim Thorogood, director of support services at scandal-ridden Haringey LBC, has been appointed chief executive of C... -
TAX BILLS TO SOAR IN SOUTH AFTER FINANCE SETTLEMENT
By Kerry Lorimer ... -
TEACHER IN 'CHIP SLIP' CASE WINS DAMAGES FROM STAFFORDSHIRE CC AFTER FALL ON SCHOOL STAIRS
A teacher who said her career was ruined because she slipped on a chip at school and fractured her ankle won more t... -
TEACHING UNIONS REACT POSITIVELY TO OFSTED REPORT ON STANDARDS AND QUALITY
David Hart, general secretary, NAHT comments on Ofsted's Annual Report* as follows: ... -
'TERM TIME' CONTRACTS MAY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST WOMEN - TRIBUNAL HEARS TEST CASES
Thousands of women on 'term time' contracts in the UK's schools could ... -
THREE RIVERS GETS 'GOOD' REPORT FOR HOUSING SERVICE
The housing repairs and maintenance service provided by Three Rivers DC is good with promising prospects for improv... -
TIGHTER AIR POLLUTION TARGETS FORMALLY INTRODUCED
Tough air pollution targets announced last year were formally ... -
TORIES LAUNCH ANTI-CONGESTION CHARGING CAMPAIGN
With less than a week to go before the introduction of London congestion ... -
TORIES TACKLE FINANCE IN LEADERSHIP ISSUES
The Conservative Party is set to make a major statement on the leadership role of councils which will encompass fin... -
TORY BOROUGHS TO KEEP EYE ON CHARGE SUCCESS
Conservative boroughs bordering the congestion charging zone in London have formed an alliance to monitor its impac... -
TRAFFIC LEVELS IN 2002 OVER 2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN 2001
Estimated traffic levels rose by more than two per cent between 2001 ... -
'TWO-BULLDOZERS' TAKES ON HOUSING PROBLEM
Deputy prime minister John Prescott has announced policies to narrow the north/south divide in housing. ... -
UK LOBBY TAKES ACTION OVER EURO CONSTITUTION
A concerted UK lobby is calling for more local and regional influence in the European Union, as plans for a Europea... -
UNIONS COMMENT ON STRATEGY FOR TRANSFORMING SECONDARY EDUCATION
Commenting on the announcement* today by education secretary, Charles Clarke, National Union of Teachers general se... -
UNIVERSITIES HEAD HUNT - IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Universities are targeting primary schools in an attempt to increase future applications for places - a trend paren... -
VIEW FROM THE TOP - CHANGING THE VIEW
Top performing councils should be given the opportunity to lead from the front, says Mike Pitt . ... -
VOLUNTEERS, HELPERS AND SOCIALISERS - ANALYSIS
Doing volunteer work, helping others and visiting friends and ... -
WAY CLEAR FOR SUSSEX TO REMOVE OBSTRUCTIONS FROM PUBLIC FOOTPATHS
Ramblers are calling for councils across England and Wales to reopen blocked rights of way, as the footpaths across... -
WEBSITE FIRST FOR TAMESIDE COUNCIL
Tameside MBC is the first council in the country to offer 100 per cent ... -
WELSH HEALTH BILL BEGINS LORDS' SCRUTINY
A Bill to reorganise community health councils in Wales and to create two new NHS bodies in the principality was gi... -
WORK LIFE - HOUSING STAFF CARE
It was party time last Saturday at Lewisham LBC. I happened upon some council staff, all Unison members, with an in... -
WORK LIFE - PEOPLE
Janet Barber seeks out the latest management moves in local government ... -
WORK LIFE - SHORT TIMERS
The use of private sector interim managers has rocketed. Wilf Altman finds out what they make of councils ... -
WORK LIFE - TOMORROW'S PEOPLE
Claire Lodge, Leisure Complex Manager, North Warwickshire BC ... -
WORKING LONGER LINKED TO BETTER HEALTH AND WEALTH
People who carry on working beyond State Pension Age appear to be ... -
WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A LIVING, WORKING AND VIBRANT COUNTRYSIDE
Local authorities have a key role to play in creating a living, ...
