By Margaret Saner Reproduced by permission of the Public Management and Policy Association. A vision for the Civil Service is it should be respected as much for its ability to deliver as for its policy skills. Leadership is the key instrument for realizing this vision. The author describes how leadership development aims to make the most of drawing people together from across sectors to learn from each other and how leadership ability is enhanced though development. She sets out the four key dimensions of the programme.
Local authorities have been told they need to act to improve diversity and equality. The message, from the Local Government Minister, Phil Hope, follows government research which says there are many examples of good working practices across the country but the nationwide picture is patchy and more needs to be done.The research, carried out by the Office of Public Management, highlights a number of obstacles to effective handling of equality and diversity issues. It finds that equality and diversity are often seen in terms of ethnic minorities and people with physical disabilities rather than looking at wider issues such as gender, sexuality and part-time working.
Local councils are facing fewer problems in recruiting and retaining ICT staff this year, according to the latest salary survey published by the Society of IT Management. The survey results are based on returns from 140 local authorities – around a third of the total – covering more than 5000 staff working in seven job levels, five job functions and with more than a hundred key skills.The study, carried out by remuneration specialists CEL Ltd, shows that the rate of pay increases for local authority ICT staff has increased slightly compared with 2002. At the same time the number of resignations has fallen, and fewer councils are reporting recruitment problems. This year just over 34% said they were facing difficulties compared with 36% in 2002 and 60% the year before. Retention problems are also down with 25.8% of councils registering them compared with 32% in 2002 and 45% in 2001.
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