STRENGTHENING POLITICAL LEADSHIP IN UK LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Public Money & Management, (UK), Jan-Mar 98 Vol 18 No 1
Start page: 41 No of pages: 11
Discusses how political leadership in UK local government can be strengthened, observing that the Labour Government has moved in setting up elections for a mayor for London; looks at the debate surrounding the revitalization of local democracy, setting this in the context of some authorities wishing to try out new approaches and others being resistant to change. 

One of the largest studies of its kind has revealed the areas to target to
tackle inequality at work.
The Policy Studies Institute has just published research which suggests that
registered male nurses are twice as likely to be promoted as their female
colleagues.
All NHS Trusts in England have now been told to review their nurse employment policies to ensure that opportunities for career development and advancement within the NHS are fair and equal amongst men and women. 

Ninety five percent of the new primary care groups (PCGs) needed to oversee
future local healthcare have now been set up.
There had been fears by senior managers in the NHS that they would not be able to attract the required number of interested health professionals by an end of July deadline. The remaining five per cent of groups yet to be set up are
expected to be agreed by the end of August. 

2nd edition
Owen Hughes, Professor of Public Sector Management, Monash University, Australia
This book introduces and assesses the principles and theories underlying recent changes in the scope and management of the public sector. The earlier, traditional model of public administration dominant for most of the century is argued to be discredited.