Commissioned by the Government Office for the East of EnglandThis study assessed the case for establishing a support service for a range of local partnerships to help them to develop as long term vehicles for community regeneration and renewal in the East of England. The report identifies current issues being faced by partnerships as: organizational capacity; strategic direction and programme/ project delivery. 

Newly elected and long serving councillors in Birmingham will be able to take part in public sector management training after the election in June. Courses will be offered on a flexible basis and will provide councillors with a solid foundation in the essential management techniques. The programme will enable participants to learn how to plan, prioritise and manage their projects and resources. Individuals will also be encouraged to develop strategies to improve their effectiveness. 

Cutting over 40,000 Civil Service jobs and making radical reforms is deliverable, but there are dangers ahead. This warning comes from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with the message to the Chancellor to learn downsizing lessons from the best practice in the private sector.The popular downsizing model of the early 1990s was designed to deliver major efficiency savings, but many doubts now exist over the effectiveness of crude downsizing.