Breaking Free of Bureaucracy
Leadbeater C
Financial Times, (UK), 28 Apr1998 Start page: 16 No of pages: 1
Spotlights the activities of Norma Redfearn, head teacher of West Walker primary school in Newcastle (north-east England) since 1986, and described as a civic entrepreneur; describes the desperate state that the school was in when she joined, and explains how education of families as well as pupils has acted as a catalyst in reviving the school and the community. 

Seven London councils have got together to fight their corner in the build-up
to the capital having its own mayor and assembly.
The West London Alliance aims to provide a clear voice for its residents and
businesses. Its backers say it will provide a strategic voice and speak more loudly than each council working individually. 

New Government figures for the numbers of civil servants employed shows how use of casual labour has made the resource more flexible, and how the service has come to depend on part-time working to secure the workforce it needs.
Modernisation and changes in demand have also influenced the figures, which
show an overall drop of 38 per cent in the number of civil servants employed
since the peak more than 20 years ago. 

Richard Kerley, Director, Scottish Local Authorities Management Centre, Strathclude Business School, University of Strathclyde
Managing in Local Government provides a comprehensive guide to the tasks of the local government manager. Starting with a concise introduction to recent developments and trends in public management and local government institutions and services, the core of the book focuses on the key managerial functions and relationships in a local authority context.