Lucas J R
Management Review, (USA), Feb 98 (87/2) Start page: 22 No of pages: 5
Points to examples of the platitudinous nature of some vision statements; dismisses arguments against the need for an organizational vision, listing reasons why one is required, e.g. to guide or to inspire. 

Management, planning and policy have all been found wanting in a damning report on services for children in the North East of England.
The report by the Social Services Inspectorate says the Kingston upon Hull Council needs to take urgent action to tackle a range of issues, such as children judged at risk but without allocated social workers, the number of children in care, and the lack of early help for troubled families. 

An e-mail service bringing news, feature articles and pointers to other sources of information is launched today. The new service, Publicnet Briefing, complements the well-established Publicnet web site, visited regularly by people across the world interested in the governance and management of public services.
News editor Caroline Wilson said: “Our stories will cover the big issues challenging public sector managers. 

The Action Plan sets out the Government’s response to the Fourth Nolan Report. It gives guidance to central departments, non departmental public bodies, NHS bodies and training and enterprise councils. Topics covered include: defining the tasks and qualities for public appointments, advertising appointments, criteria for selection and conflict of interest.
The Report is available at www.coi.gov.uk/coi/depts/GCO/GCO.html
Hard copies can be obtained from the Cabinet Office 0171 270 1892.