Local Government Chronicle
9 December 2004
View all stories from this issue.
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£150M MORE FOR REDUCING HOMELESSNESS
Deputy prime minister John Prescott today announced a£150m funding package for new action to prevent and reduce ho... -
96% OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE BY 2005 - FORECAST
The Cabinet Office ... -
ANNUAL SCORECARDS FOR LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITIES
There has been an increase in top rated local education authorities over the past year according to the annual LEA ... -
ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT ON THE GROUND
Proposals for delivering the waste management facilities urgently needed across the country have been unveiled by e... -
ARE GREEN TARGETS BEING DUMPED ON?
By Mark Smulian... -
ASSEMBLY U-TURN OVER TRANSPORT FUNDS
Anger over inadequate government transport funding has seen the East of England Regional assembly suspend its endor... -
BERG TAKES TOP JOB AT MONMOUTHSHIRE
Colin Berg has been appointed chief executive of Monmouthshire CC.... -
BETTER LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEANS MORE POWER TO THE PEOPLE
There must be change, and it must be driven by the needs of the communities and citizens we serve, Sandy Bruce-Lock... -
BOOST FOR SCHOOL SPORT ANNOUNCED
The government today unveiled a half-billion pound boost for PE... -
BUSINESS SHUNS INCONSISTENT LSPs
By Mark Smulian... -
CABINET AND MINISTERIAL CHANGES FOLLOWING RESIGNATION OF DAVID BLUNKETT
The Queen has approved the following appointments: ... -
CELEBRATE SAFELY THIS CHRISTMAS
Not heeding the fire safety message this Christmas and New Year could be a matter of life and death, fire safety mi... -
CHRISTMAS ALCOHOL BLITZ BY COUNCILS AND POLICE
Businesses selling alcohol to underage drinkers will be the target of a crackdown by local councils and the police ... -
CHRISTMAS BLITZ ON BINGE DRINKING STARTS TODAY
From today town centres across the country will once again be... -
COLCHESTER EXTENDS 10-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
Colchester BC has agreed a£1.65m extension of its 10-year partnership with ITNET.... -
COMMENT - DANGERS OF TABLOID FAME ACADEMY
When the local government report cards are doled out it is the poor performers, like the miscreants at the bottom o... -
CONSULTATION ON THREE-YEAR REVENUE AND CAPITAL SETTLEMENTS LAUNCHED
A consultation* on proposals for giving authorities greater certainty... -
CONSULTATION OPENS ON NEW EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING PROPOSALS
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a consultation on new environmental funding pro... -
COUNCIL LOOKS TOWARDS USING TRADING POWERS
Bedford BC is looking to take advantage of new trading powers. The council aims to plug a gap between income and ex... -
COUNCIL DISCHARGED ITS OBLIGATIONS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
An illegal immigrant who expected Lambeth LBC to house her and her family lost an Appeal Court fight over accommoda... -
COUNCIL FAILS TO BURST SOFT DRINKS COMPANY'S BUBBLE
The manufacturers of 'Juice Burst' soft drinks today successfully fought off an attempt to have them convicted unde... -
COUNCIL LOSES WASTE DUMPING CASE ON A TECHNICALITY
Kirklees BC has failed to win a High Court order barring landowner Eric Brook from dumping waste materials in a woo... -
COUNCIL OFFICERS JOIN FORCE WITH POLICE TO TACKLE CHRISTMAS DRINKING BINGE
Local authority officers will be out with the police tonight in towns across the country to tackle an expected nigh... -
COUNCIL TAKES STEPS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PASSIVE SMOKING IN BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Children will be protected from passive smoking in licensed premises under a new licensing policy agreed by St Alba... -
COUNCIL WORKERS REJECT SMOKING AT WORK BAN
Unison members working for Southampton City Council have rejected a proposed complete ban on smoking at work. The u... -
COUNCIL-PROSECUTED 'CHARITY' COLLECTOR STOPPED
A door-to-door collector of donated clothing has been stopped by the Office of Fair Trading from being involved wit... -
COUNCILS GIVEN CHANCE TO REINFORCE CLAIMS THAT AIRPORT PLAN DENIES COMMUNITIES A VIEW
Government consultion over night flights from the south-east's three major airports 'appreciably understated' poten... -
CPA REFORM PREVIEW: AN INSPECTOR CALLS LESS OFTEN
With new results for local government comprehensive performance assessment published on Thursday, the Local Governm... -
CPA SCORES: BEST-EVER COUNCIL IMPROVEMENT MARKS TIME TO EASE INSPECTION
Local councils have once again risen to the challenge of proving they offer a high quality service to local people,... -
CPA SCORES: EXCELLENT PERFORMERS STORM RECORD RATINGS
By Kerry Lorimer, finance editor... -
CPA SCORES: HIGHS AND LOWS OF RATINGS BATTLE
Councils celebrated their achievements this week following the most improved comprehensive performance assessment s... -
CPA SCORES: 'LONDON COUNCILS REAP REWARD OF THEIR HARD WORK'
Commenting on the Audit Commission's comprehensive performance assessment results in London, Robin Wales, chair of ... -
CPA SCORES: 'PUBLIC GAIN FROM BOOST IN LOCAL COUNCIL PERFORMANCE' + REGIONAL ANALYSIS
People are receiving better services than ever from their local councils, according to the latest Audit Commission ... -
CPA SCORES: RAYNSFORD WELCOMES BETTER PERFORMANCE - AND KEEPS UP THE PRESSURE FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT
For the second year running, councils have made big strides in... -
CPA SCORES: REACTION FROM TORIES AND LIB DEMS
Commenting on the publication of revised comprehensive performance assessment rankings by the Audit Commission, sha... -
DELIVERING HOMES AND JOBS IN WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
The new Urban Development Corporation (UDC) for West Northamptonshire... -
DEPARTMENTAL TRANSFER OF SCHOOL STANDARDS MINISTER
David Miliband has been appointed as minister for the Cabinet Office. He joins the Cabinet Office today from the De... -
DESIGNATED REGISTER OFFICES TO TACKLE SHAM MARRIAGES
A nationwide network of dedicated register offices, part of the... -
DIARY - TOULMIN SMITH
Shaggy sheep story... -
DISTRICT CPA SCORES: FINAL TRANCHE
The final tranche of DCPA reports is published today. Click a council name not view its scorecard:... -
DISTRICTS TAKE MIDDLE GROUND
The Audit Commission published the final batch of comprehensive performance assessments for district councils this ... -
ENVIRONMENT MINISTER OPENS CONSULTATION ON TIGHTER CONTROLS FOR FARM WASTE
Open burning of farm waste and on-farm dumps will be strictly controlled under new proposals published today by env... -
EXPERT GROUP REPORT ON STREET PROSTITUTION
Proposals to improve the safety of women already involved in street prostitution, prevent vulnerable women and chil... -
FALKIRK TURNS FIRE ON 'COSY' COSLA
Falkirk Council has further distanced itself from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities by attacking the con... -
FEATURES - 2004
It was the year of radical change that never quite happened. Regional government, fresh sources of funding and a ne... -
FEATURES - CASH IN HAND
Many of those striding purposefully through the corridors of power have a background in local government - and the ... -
FEATURES - SHAKE 'EM UP
John Prescott says the tectonic plates are shifting. But are cracks appearing in the 10-year vision? Phil Swann rep... -
FEATURES - TAKEN FOR A RIDE
As the Queen delivers Labour's election manifesto, the country heads towards government by contradiction... -
FINAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCED
On top of the£3.2bn settlement announced for local government last... -
FLYING SQUAD TO SAVE NE LINCS SCHOOL
By Mark Smulian... -
FROM THE TOP - PILOTS OF THE FUTURE
Don't miss a golden opportunity, says Michael Frater... -
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES FIRST CONGESTION BUSTING MOTORWAY LANE ON THE M1
An innovative scheme to reduce congestion and improve journey times on the M1 motorway by creating a dedicated lane... -
GOVERNMENT UNVEILS PLANS ON AGE DISCRIMINATION
New proposals to crack down on age discrimination in the workplace... -
GREEN LIGHT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Details of a new scheme which will give all farmers in England the opportunity to be paid for environmental work on... -
HOUSING BENEFIT FRAUD CONFISCATION ORDER REFLECTED PROPERTY PRICE INCREASE
Assets Recovery Agency Financial Investigators have assisted Waltham Forest LBC to confiscate£207,142.70 from a co... -
IF IT AIN'T BROKE WHY FIX IT? LGA CHALLENGES EDUCATION REFORMS
Local Government Association leaders have slammed government education proposals as change for change sake - underp... -
ITNET BOUGHT BY SERCO
RECOMMENDED OFFER TO ACQUIRE ITNET PLC TO BE MADE BY LAZARD & CO, LIMITED... -
JAIL NOT INEVITABLE FOR PARENTS USING MORE THAN 'REASONABLE CHASTISEMENT'
Solicitor general Harriet Harman has failed to persuade the Court of Appeal... -
JUDGE SAVES ANTI-SOCIAL FAMILY FROM PRE-CHRISTMAS EVICTION
A woman accused of making neighbours' lives a misery will be spending Christmas in her own home after judges today ... -
LABOUR MAN RESIGNS AFTER ASSAULT CHARGE
Owen Taylor has resigned as leader of Labour-run East Renfrewshire Council after being charged with assaulting his ... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - NAME SHAME
David Curry's policy column describes the Joseph Rowntree Foundation as one of the organisations that supported the... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - POLICY BY PRESS RELEASE
Chris Clarke, Local Government Association Liberal Democrat group leader, is right when he says that 'trying to bum... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - SENSITIVE TOUCH
Shropshire CC would be the first to applaud any initiative to help us target service improvements at those who need... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE BORROWERS
I was amazed at LGC's editorial line on the use of prudential borrowing powers (LGC, 3 December). ... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - TWO-WAY TRAFFIC
The Local Government Association agrees that we must make a bigger impact on the challenging transport agenda. And ... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - VOTERS' VOICE
I am not surprised to read that Kingsley Smith, chief executive of Durham CC, is still bemoaning the outcome of the... -
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - WHERE'S THE VALUE?
I must contest some of the unevidenced assertions in Pete Cooper's article 'The power of one' (LGC, 26 November). ... -
LGA's COLD FEET OVER SUBSCRIPTIONS FREEZE
By Jennifer Taylor... -
LISTED BUILDINGS IN POOR REPAIR - NEW REPORT
Heritage organisations across the country have come together to celebrate a heritage revolution, largely due to£3b... -
LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO SHINE IN EDUCATION STAR RATINGS
More local education authorities are providing a better... -
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMEN INVESTIGATION REPORTS ISSUED SINCE 25 NOVEMBER
Findings of maladministration and injustice ... -
LONDON BOROUGHS KEEPING MORE OF THEIR RESIDENTS SATISFIED
Londoners who rely on their local councils are increasingly satisfied with the service they are receiving according... -
LONDON MAYOR PUTS BUDGET PLANS OUT TO CONSULTATION
Londoners face inflation-busting rises in next year's council tax precept after mayor Ken Livingstone announced his... -
LOTTERY£17.4M FOR SPORT
Christmas has come early for the sporting life of schools and... -
METROPOLITAN POLICE INQUIRY - GOVERNMENT REACTION
Responding to the publication of the report* of the Morris inquiry... -
NEW CHAIRMAN OF COMMISSION FOR ARCHITECTURE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The design expert John Sorrell has been appointed as the new chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Bu... -
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR HORSHAM
Tom Crowley has been appointed as Horsham DC's next chief executive to succeed Martin Pearson upon his retirement n... -
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR MONMOUTHSHIRE CC
Colin Berg has been appointed chief executive of Monmouthshire CC.... -
NEW GUIDANCE FOR COMMONHOLD ISSUED
New guidance for those who want to form a commonhold has now been issued.... -
NEW HOME SECRETARY ON ID CARDS AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
New home secretary Charles Clarke has affirmed his commitment to identity... -
NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE FOR NORTHAMPTON BC
Northampton BC has agreed a new management structure as part of its improvement programme. The structure is designe... -
NEW NATIONAL FRAMEWORK ON CONTINUING CARE - LADYMAN
Health minister Stephen Ladyman today commissioned new national framework for the assessment for fully funded NHS c... -
NEW PLANNING TOOL AIMS TO HELP COUNCILS PROMOTE HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES AND REDUCE HEALTH INEQUALITIES
Councils are to work with their primary care trusts and other local partners to promote healthier communities and r... -
NEW RIGHTS OF ACCESS OPEN UP MORE NORTHERN COUNTRYSIDE
Walkers will be able to enjoy more open countryside when the new right of access to open country begins in northern... -
NEW STRATEGY LAUNCHED FOR DEALING WITH PROSTITUTION
Chief police officers are opposing plans for council-run prostitution toleration zones, saying there is no clear ev... -
NO OVERALL CHANGE IN PUBLIC SMOKING OR DRINKING, CONCLUDES SURVEY
In 2003, 26 per cent of adults aged 16 or over in Great Britain smoked cigarettes, the same as in 2002, according t... -
NO OVERALL POLITICAL CONTROL AT WAVERLEY BC
Mayor Victor Duckett has resigned from the Liberal Democrat group meaning the Liberal Democrats will no longer be t... -
NOTTINGHAM AND WALSALL ARE OFSTED'S STAR ATTRACTIONS
Two councils have jumped two categories in the Ofsted star-ratings.... -
OFF THE STREETS AND OUT OF SCHOOLS: FIGHT AGAINST KNIVES
The fight against violent crime received a boost today as the home... -
OPINION - NICK PEARCE
Human rights are a basic human right... -
'OUTSTANDING' MATHS AND SCIENCE PERFORMANCE BY PRIMARY PUPILS
Schools minister Stephen Twigg today welcomed the results from an... -
PENSIONS TO BE PROTECTED IN TAKEOVERS - MINISTER ANNOUNCES CONSULTATION ON THE TRANSFER OF EMPLOYMENT
Up until now, people working for companies that are bought out, have sometimes found their new employer scraps thei... -
PERSPECTIVES - FROM THE DIRECTOR'S CHAIR
The last 19 months have been the most challenging and varied of my career. ... -
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE - NEW GUIDANCE TO DELIVER RENEWABLE ENERGY
The government's drive to deliver more electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and hydro-power, was booste... -
POLITICAL MENTORS LEAVE POOR PERFORMERS IN RECOVERY POSITION
Political mentoring for councils with dysfunctional political management does work, writes Jonathan Clegg.... -
PRACTICAL ISSUES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE
The report of the single transferable vote working group was published today.... -
PRESCOTT ANNOUNCES NEXT STEPS IN PLANNING REFORM
Deputy prime minister John Prescott today renewed a government pledge to deliver more money and more help for local... -
PRESCOTT PROMISES CASH FOR HOMELESSNESS
Deputy prime minister John Prescott has announced new funding to tackle soaring levels of homelessness.... -
PRESCOTT TACKLED ON RECORD HOMELESSNESS FIGURES - SUGGESTS ROLE FOR COUNCILS
One of the ways to reduce the ... -
PRIMARY CARE TRUST'S PLANS TO BREAK EVEN 'REMAIN AT RISK'
District auditor Mike Haworth-Maden has issued a public interest report* on the financial standing of Hammersmith a... -
PROBLEM HALVED AS WAR ON FRAUD SAVES OVER£1BN
Fraud has been slashed by half as official statistics published... -
PROBLEMS WITH NHS FUNDING FOR LONG TERM CARE IDENTIFIED
The problems faced by disabled and elderly people in accessing NHS... -
PROPOSALS FOR PLANNING DELIVERY GRANT 2005/06 AND PLANNING FEES ANNOUNCED
Proposals for rewarding the real progress being made by planning authorities across a whole range of delivery funct... -
PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS AGREE JOINT PENSION ACTION
Plans to coordinate action on pensions across the public sector have been agreed by the trade unions. At a meeting ... -
RADICAL REFORMS COULD END PLANNING APPEALS BACKLOG
A package of measures to help end the backlog in planning appeals was launched by planning minister Keith Hill toda... -
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY SUSPENDS ENDORSEMENT OF PLAN
The East of England Regional Assembly has voted to suspend its endorsement of the East of England Plan, launched la... -
RESIDENTS RESENT PLANS FOR LOCAL CAVERNS TO BE FILLED WITH METHANE
Opponents to plans to store methane gas in eight rock salt caverns at Holford Brinefields are considering their nex... -
'REVALUATION WILL SEE COUNCIL TAX BILLS SOARING'
Speaking to Liberal Democrat council leaders today, Edward Davey, the... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS
OFSTED ACCUSES SCHOOLS OF CONTINUING FAILURES IN APPROACH TO READING... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 10:28
NO DICE FOR UK 'SUPER-CASINOS' UNTIL 2008... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 11:02
CABINET SHAKE-UP PUTS CLARKE AND KELLY IN HOT SEATS... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 12:30HRS
SPECULATION OF CABINET RIFT OVER NEW PLANS FOR ONE MILLION RIGHT TO BUY HOMES... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE NATIONAL PRESS - UPDATED 13:45HRS
IN DEPTH: IS JARVIS WAVING GOODBYE TO PFI... -
ROUNDUP OF LOCAL AUTHORITY STORIES IN THE SUNDAY PAPERS
GOVERNMENT FAILS TO CHANGE PLANNING PROCEDURES FOR PHONE MASTS... -
SALES BAN FOLLOWS HAUL OF POTENTIALLY LETHAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Trading standards officers from Suffolk CC today stopped a potentially lethal batch of Christmas lights being sold ... -
SCHOOLS' VIEWS OF LEAs IMPROVING
The survey of schools' views of their Local Education Authority shows that local authorities are generally seen in ... -
SOCIAL ENTRERPISE GETS£10Mpa LONDON COUNCIL 'CLEAN AND GREEN' CONTRACT
Ealing LBC has awarded its 'clean and green' contract to ECT Recycling. ... -
SPENDING REVIEW 2004 - 'RECORD RISE' FOR MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
A culture funding package for the next three years which sees a... -
STATEMENT ON THE 2003 EUROPEAN SCHOOL SURVEY PROJECT ON ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS
Commenting on the 2003 ESPAD report*, Home Office minister Caroline... -
STATUTORY HOMELESSNESS: ENGLAND THIRD QUARTER 2004
This press notice provides information on local authorities' activities... -
STRATEGIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES TO BE ABOLISHED UNDER TORIES
Thirty thousand NHS 'bureaucrats' will be sacked if the Conservatives win next year's general election, shadow chan... -
STREET ADVERTISING 'PLAYER' LOSES OUT IN BATTLE OVER TENANCIES OR LICENCES
The 'Giant M' advertising hoardings that have become landmarks of the Manchester street scene may be coming down af... -
STRIKE THREAT OVER PENSIONS ROW
By Jennifer Taylor... -
SYSTEM IS FAILING 'LOST' CHILDREN
Councils are failing to offer adequate support for excluded children.... -
TOWARDS MORE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING
A group of senior experts from government, industry and the non-governmental sector will rise to the challenge of m... -
TRANSFER OF COUNCIL HOUSING STOCK 'SHOULD BE COMPULSORY'
Labour's third term should end the era of council-owned housing by compelling all local authorities to transfer the... -
TRANSPORT PATHFINDERS TO TRAIL BLAZE INNOVATIVE PRACTICE + MINISTER'S SPEECH
Transport secretary Alistair Darling, speaking at the Local Government Transport Conference in London today, said:... -
TROUBLED JARVIS BAILS OUT OF JOINT VENTURE
Contractor Jarvis has sold its share of the joint venture that provides environmental services to Telford & Wrekin ... -
WALSALL WINS RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW
Walsall MBC has won the right to a judicial review in its long-running battle with the Audit Commission over its co... -
WELSH FINANCE SETTLEMENT - 'THE END TO A TOUGH NEGOTIATING ROUND'
Figures* published today in the final local government settlement mark the end of a tough negotiating round between... -
WHITEHALL SCUPPERS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Short-sighted government departments are undermining regional development agencies, according to MPs.... -
WIDENING GULF IN ATTAINMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL READING IDENTIFIED IN NEW REPORT
Continued improvement in reading standards across the country is... -
WORK LIFE - CAREER TIPS
How to discipline a member of staff fairly... -
WORK LIFE - DON'T END ON A BUM NOTE
The season of goodwill is upon us - but one bout of bad behaviour, and the Christmas party could finish a career, s... -
WORK LIFE - HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
Confessions of an interim manager... -
WORK LIFE - 'I DIDN'T GET WHERE I AM TODAY WITHOUT...'
Elaine McHale, corporate director, social services and health, Wakefield MDC... -
WORK LIFE - JARGON BUSTER
What is...managing upwards?... -
WORK LIFE - PEOPLE
Suzanne Simmons-Lewis seeks out the latest management moves in local government... -
WORK LIFE - TOMORROW'S PEOPLE
Mike Horrocks, community economic development officer, Kerrier DC... -
WORK LIFE - YOUR NEXT MOVE?
Kathryn Godfrey looks at the post of director of finance at Camden LBC...
