A new report has warned the Government that halting traffic growth at a timeof economic prosperity is not realistic.It says that the best that might be possible nationally is for the rate of traffic growth to be brought down to zero at some future date. Even this would require intensive application of the Integrated Transport White Paper.
The Inland Revenue and HM Customs have jointly published details of what they are planning to do to meet the Government’s objectives for e-commerce and e-government.Their paper, E-commerce: the UK’s taxation agenda, outlines how both departments will introduce Internet filing of tax returns during 2000/2001. The Government intends to offer a discount on tax returns filed over the
Internet.
The Crown Prosecution Service is to survey its staff in the first stage of a stress audit. Discussions with trade unions started over a year ago and the timing of the survey coincides with a major reorganisation. Survey results will be available by April 2000.OSA Ltd of Amersham, whose previous clients include Highways Agency and BP, has been awarded the survey contract after a tendering exercise. They will devise the survey form which will include questions about causes of stress at home as well as at work. The company will assist the CPS in taking the audit forward. This will include a comparison of the survey findings with the company’s stress database which will show where the CPS differs from the norm. They will also make recommendations about countering stress risks.
The digital divide between the information ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ is to be bridged by a network of free access kiosks. The new network will go some way to allay concern that the benefits of new technology may be shared only by few.Members of the public will be able to get free on-line information about their local area from 3500 touch-screen Internet-driven kiosks in public areas across the country. There will be details about jobs, transport, tourism properties, shopping and local amenities, as well as virtual postcards and message boards. Kiosks will be located in supermarkets, pubs, cyber cafes and other places where the public have ready access.
Cohen, Allan R. / Bradford, David L.Today, professionals and managers experience great increases in responsibility without parallel increases in authority. This book shows how to attain co-operation from other managers who command resources, information, or potential support but who are not required to collaborate. Discusses how to negotiate exchanges to get what you need to get the work done-especially how to think in terms of the interests of fellow managers and workers and the “currencies” these people trade in. Shows subordinates how to get support from superiors and collaboration from peers, how to take responsibility, get challenging tasks, and cultivate appropriate work conditions.
The drive to modernise the health service has moved forward with a project to share good practice. The NHS Beacon scheme launched earlier in the year, has identified 290 Beacons covering general practice, waiting lists and times, and mental health. The Beacons are star performers and they will share their expertise with colleagues. They have been funded to allow them to provide visitor guides and to mount at least three interactive learning activities each year.The scheme has gone live and health service staff can find out from a new website www.nhsbeacons.org.uk which Beacon best suits their need. They can search the website by the name of the Beacon, by key area, or by key text. Following a request for a visit they will receive a letter acknowledging their request within two days and within three weeks a visitor pack will be sent to them.
Many councils have failed to listen to council tax payers in devising their plans for Best Value. This is one of the findings to emerge from research by the Department for Transport Environment and Regions which shows that citizens are likely to get a poor deal from Best Value.The new duty laid on councils to deliver best value requires them to produce plans by March 2000 showing how they will do this. The researchers found little evidence that the public had been consulted in the planning process. The exception was the London Borough of Hackney’s feedback exercise: ‘put your mouth where your money is’.
Read more on COUNCILS FAILURE TO LISTEN UNDERMINES BEST VALUE…
A drive is being launched to encourage more secondments from Government to the voluntary sector. This is part of an overall strategy to foster joined up policy making and delivery.Secondments are an important element in implementing the ‘Compact on Relations Between the Government and the Voluntary Sector’ published in November 1998. There is widespread disappointment that there were only 230 secondments between the civil service and voluntary bodies in the last year. Secondments play a crucial role in the joining up process because they help both sides to build up relationships. They also lead to improved policy development and enhance the design and delivery of services. Without secondments it is difficult to fully appreciate the implications of different forms of accountability in Government and the voluntary sector and to understand the viewpoints of different stakeholders.
Read more on DRIVE TO SMOOTH THE JOIN BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR…
The Performance & Innovation Unit in the Cabinet Office is to carry out a study to find out which public services could be delivered by electronic means. It is expected that the findings will give a clear view of how technology might be used to deliver world class services. The report will be presented to the Prime Minister by next summer.The study will start with the individual needs of individuals, families and businesses, with the aim of turning government round from focusing on service providers. Delivery methods it will consider include internet access through PCs, interactive Digital TV, mobile phones, games consoles and public access kiosks. It will also look at the respective roles of the public and private sectors. A particular concern will be to bridge the digital gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’
Read more on CABINET OFFICE REVIEWS PROPECTS FOR ELECTRONIC SERVICES…
Edge JOrganizations & People: Successful Development, (UK), Vol 5 No 4 Start page: 34. No of pages: 2
Argues that management development should be a mandatory requirement for newly elected local government councillors. Contends that members’ current lack of strategic business awareness hinders the development of local authorities and competent management of their resources, although it is not an election issue or vote-winner. Describes the benefits of management development for the creation of a more efficient, cost-effective service