The government claims in its first annual report on the project, that its ‘Excellence in the Cities’ programme is delivering improvements in education.Publicnet Briefing reported yesterday (Wednesday, January 24), that another of the Government’s projects to drive up education standards – the Education Action Zones – could be sidelined in a second Labour term.
Horton SThe International Journal of Public Sector Management, (UK), 2000 Vol 13 No 4. Start page: 354. No of pages: 15
Investigates the extent of competency-based management in the British civil service based on a survey of civil service departments. Reports the widespread use of competency frameworks but the lack of a common framework, the introduction tending to be fragmented and ad hoc. Also states that it would appear to be difficult to develop competency frameworks. Details the holistic approaches to competency management adopted by four departmental agencies and one government department before outlining other developments in competency management, such as the introduction of national vocational qualifications, the Citizen’s Charter, the Investors in People award and, most importantly, the benchmarking of all departments and departmental agencies based on the European Business Excellence Model.
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The Diversity strand of Civil Service Reform and the Public Sector Modernisation Programme is fundamental. This booklet sets out the strategy being pursued by the Civil Service College Directorate of Centre for Management and Policy Studies. It outlines the three broad fronts of the strategy: building on the success of existing programmes including refining training; developing a leading-edge research and development programme, with funding from the Civil Service Modernisation Fund; and looking for opportunities to main stream diversity into all the activities undertaken across CMPS.Published by Civil Service College where copies can be ordered on 01344 63452
The bulk of money from the Children’s Fund is, as expected, to be targeted at areas of greatest deprivation.Forty areas across England will benefit from the first 380 million of a 450 million pound three year fund announced in the last spending review. Once again the aim is to encourage public and voluntary sector agencies to join-up to fill the gaps in current provision, this time with local councils taking the lead.
New research from a left-leaning think tank suggests that the private sector has failed to play a full partnership role in supporting the Government’s Education Action Zones (EAZs) initiative.Introduced in 1997, EAZs were promoted as a radical way of tackling low levels of educational attainment in some of Britain’s most deprived areas.
The leading accountancy body for public services is surveying finance directors working for councils on the impact of the Local Government Act 2000.The new legislation creates new arrangements for the management of authorities, in particular handing more decision-making to councillors.
Research intended to inform the Government’s immigration policy has shown that migrants contribute to the country’s economic growth, do not damage the employment prospects of existing residents, and make a significant social and cultural contribution to the UK.The research, which is some of the first research into the impact of migration in the UK, follows a call last year from the Immigration Minister, Barbara Roche, to see a debate on the issue.
Following a run-in with the DTI over export schemes, the Channel Four political satirist Mark Thomas put in a standard ‘subject access’ request to the DTI and received a batch of more or less abusive emails revealing officials had attempted to “starve him of information”.Under the 1998 Act, which came into force in March 2000, anyone seeking to request an organisation to disclose any personal information held on them can do so, although ‘data controllers’ are entitled to charge a fee of up to 10 pounds for the information. Organisations have 40 days to respond with any information they have about the individual; a description of why the information was processed; anyone it may be passed to or seen by, and the logic involved in any automated decisions. If they fail to comply they face possible legal action. The Data Protection Commissioner Elizabeth France can demand the data be released, and in some cases compensation can be sought in the courts.
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Lack of leadership, sometimes at the top of forces, but more frequently at the basic command unit level is limiting progress to better community and race relations. This is the conclusion from three reports published by the Home Office. Nearly all the 43 police forces have community and race relation strategies, or are developing a strategy, but the existence of the document does not necessarily lead to change. The patchy implementation of strategies, sometimes within the same force, is laid clearly at the command level.Where the culture does not embrace diversity, the effect is seen both on the way the police service is delivered as well as on internal personnel processes. Where hard evidence is available, such as retention and progression of ethnic minorities within a force, lack of progress is most marked. This contrasts with recruitment which is progressing well. Again this points to lack of leadership at basic command level because recruitment is handled centrally within a force, but internal processes are influenced by line managers.
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