One of the leading groups calling for a change in thinking in local government has joined business in speaking out against returning full power over business rates to councils.Professor Gerry Stoker, chair of the Local Government Network, said: ‘The full return of business rates to local authority control is part of an old agenda that has to be challenged.’
He presented his point of view to a Commons sub-committee enquiry sitting yesterday at the House of Commons investigating the future of local government finance. 

Health Secretary Frank Dobson has given fresh details on the arrangements for tightening up on clinical standards.He told a clinical audit conference in Harrogate the aim was to prevent tragedies like the one at Bristol, rather than apportion blame afterwards.
He said for far too long the NHS had been concerned with finance and management machinery, and neglected any proper way of setting clinical standards, monitoring them and spreading best practice. 

Christine Bellamy and John A TaylorThis ground breaking study provides a balanced investigation into the significance of the so-called ‘information age’ to contemporary government. It examines available perspectives on the relationship between information and communication technology and social change, and applies them to the organisation and practice of governing and governance in the UK.