Tag Archives: local services
Advice services under pressure
* This briefing looks at the role of, and rising pressures on, the independent not-for-profit advice sector.
* It draws on a Cabinet Office Review of the sector, and other sector-based reports, to identify and update on the key social policy and financial challenges.
* It highlights the advantages of local councils developing their relationship with the sector – at individual ward member level, within council departments and as a key strategic partner.
* This briefing will be of interest to councillors in all tiers of councils in relation to their ward and community work and to officers working in advice services and with benefit claimants, and those working closely with the third sector.
Transforming Rehabilitation – offender services in the community
* The Government has published plans to revolutionise the way in which offenders are managed in the community. This briefing outlines the key points.
* Probation services will be open to competition with ‘payment by results’ in order to reduce rates of reoffending and ensure efficiency savings.
* A national commissioning process will award 16 contracts in England and Wales. Bidders will need to include clear arrangements for working with national and local partners and networks as well as the residual public sector probation service.
* The delivery of offender management services will impact across local authority services and responsibilities. Cabinet members and lead officers in housing, adult social care, health, skills and community safety should all be aware of these proposals. The consultation closes on 22 February.
Portas Review: Community Right to BID
Today saw the launch of the Portas Review: an independent review on the future of high streets. The recommendations list a series of ideas and challenges for local government – not least more ‘Big Society’ provisions to enable citizens and …
Education Act 2011 – part 2
All aspects of the Act are of interest to local government including student finance: local government wants all residents to succeed in their education and reach their potential irrespective of parental income or personal wealth. Listed below are specific issues …
Education Act 2011 – part 1
It is difficult to sum up a piece of legislation which contains so many issues. Ministers have repeatedly referred to four principles which underlie the legislation. One is specific to education relating to good student behaviour and discipline through improving …
Audit Commission: “Nine out of 10 councils should break even this year”
The Financial Times reports that today “the first comprehensive picture of how councils are coping with a record funding squeeze emerges today in a report from the Audi Commission which shows the majority are planning to scale back services or …
Getting to grips with the Localism Bill
The LGiU is running a series of seminars over the autumn and winter on different aspects of the Localism Bill. The seminars will examine in detail the impact on councils of some of the provisions within the Bill: – …
Public goal setting would allow councillors to generate collective action
After watching this youtube video from the Green Party, I’ve spent sometime this afternoon Googling ‘what does a councillor do?’ It returns some quite interesting results – from drab, vague descriptions “Councillors, or members, are elected by local people to …
