The Survey found that average staff turnover has increased from 8.5% in 2001 to 10.7% in 2002. Resignations have risen to 7.5% compared with 4.7% in 2001. 91.2% of employers surveyed undertook some recruitment in the past year with 50% of them reporting problems in recruiting. These problems were most commonly encountered when recruiting Managers or Professional staff, while it was competition from other organisations which caused the greatest difficulty for the recruitment of other staff. 

More than 80 local councils have made it to the next stage of the Beacon Council Scheme - the Government’s initiative for identifying and spreading best practice in local government.The authorities, which have been selected from an initial field of 187, are judged to have shown evidence of excellence and a commitment to spreading best practice in a range of services under ten themes. 

Councils now have national guidance for making e-government a reality. The government and the Local Government Association have joined forces to launch the strategy.It sets out the issues it is believed councillors and chief executives need to consider to make the most of online technology.