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. 

Extra money is to be targeted at children from ethnic minorities to tackle under-achievement, especially among those for whom English is not their first language.Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett has announced investment of over 430 million pounds over the next three years. The money amounts to a fifteen per cent increase on spending in this area. 

The Government has given details on how it intends to monitor the performance of the New Deal.One and a half million pounds has been allocated for an Innovation Fund, which will allow the testing of new ways of delivering elements of the New Deal. The New Deal Task Force has been asked to work up the criteria for bids from the fund, which will operate from April 1999. 

The voluntary sector has been recognised as an important partner in the attainment of an inclusive society.Home Secretary Jack Straw and Paul Boateng, Home Office Minister, have launched a new Compact with the sector, which is a framework for a new, practical partnership.
Jack Straw, said: “Voluntary and community activity is a powerful means of inclusion, of enabling everyone, whatever their skills or background, age or race, to make a positive contribution to their communities. 

The ‘what matters is what works’ ethos has moved into the Government’s thinking on travel, with the announcement of more money and more freedom for local councils to tackle localised transport problems in ways that best suit their areas.Transport Minister John Reid says local transport plans will be the cornerstone of delivering the Government’s New Deal for Transport. 

Becker D O, George M A, Goolsby A E, Grissom D CThe McKinsey Quarterly, (USA), 1998 No 1. Start page: 116. No of pages: 10
Addresses the issue of how services can be delivered in a timely and effective fashion; believes that the experiences of service turnarounds in the private sector may be of value to public-sector bodies, and presents the case of one such reform at the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) which was created in July 1997 after a sweeping reorganization. 

A new report has pulled together the guidance available to policy makers on when and how to carry out environmental assessments of policies and programmes. It has also highlighted two main gaps in the information available.The independent report, ‘Review of Technical Guidance on Environmental Appraisal’ concludes that whilst considerable guidance is available internationally, there are gaps in technical information. 

Better-performing schools can be excused the homework of in-depth inspections from Ofsted.The Government’s school inspection unit has announced that a more focussed inspection regime in the future will allow concentration on schools which are ‘coasting’ or under-performing.
School Standards Minister Estelle Morris said: ‘Ofsted is now a clearly established part of the educational landscape in England and has a vital role in helping us to raise school standards.