This case study published by the London Borough of Croydon sets out protocols that were developed to strengthen relationships between Community Networks and Local Strategic Partnerships. The protocols give clarity of purpose for all partners, define roles, responsibilities, and lines of accountability. They also specify accepted standards, good practice and targets for performance. The protocols were developed because satisfactory community engagement was identified by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as the biggest issue facing Local Strategic Partnerships. Research has also highlighted that developing effective working processes and systems is another main issue for Partnerships.The case study is available at: http://www.ourpartnership.org.uk/anncmnt/anitem.cfm?AnnID=33

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A new guide has been produced to assist staff and members of local authorities who are now involved in the new National Health Service patient and public forums designed to scrutinise health services.”Health Scrutiny: the Basics”, has been published by the Democratic Health Network, established by the Local Government Information Unit, and is aimed not just at councillors and local government officers but at their health service partners and other people involved in the newly established structures.

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Pay rises in the public sector are running below those in private business in the first part of this year, according to the latest analysis from Incomes Data Services. Its study shows a change in the pattern that has prevailed in previous years. The research shows that over the past two years, pay increases for public sector staff were largely ahead of those in the private sector but that recent settlements mean that the relationship is currently being reversed.Most private sector increases in the first months of this year have been in the 3 to 3.5 per cent range. The dozen or so public sector rises have been between 2.5 and 3.3 per cent. Overall the median increase for the first quarter of 2004 is 3.2 per cent, up slightly on the 3 per cent figure in the final quarter of last year.

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