The Working with Business National Project has been developed to provide local authorities with a framework within which they can develop and improve the online provision of information and transactional services for local businesses. The project will offer a range of products designed to enable local authorities to support their local businesses more efficiently and effectively. 

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. 

By Ian Mckenzie The Department of Trade and Industry has awarded 17 framework agreements for the supply of broadband services to the public sector. Demand for broadband will be pooled and contracts awarded to providers by regional aggregation bodies. The author describes what broadband can do and what to be wary about when making the switch.

Extending the role of pharmacists to prescribing medicines marks another milestone in the removal of professional barriers in the health service. The first group of pharmacists have completed 25 days training and 12 days supervised practice and are now qualified to work in partnership with doctors, dentists and patients to implement Clinical Management Plans. 

The Local Government Association has responded to the Chancellor’s announcement of a radical efficiency programme with a plea for greater freedom for local government so that councils can deliver greater efficiency. 

Joining up a wide range of local services and bringing organizations together to build partnerships is a critical element of the vision of local government ten years on, presented by Local Government Minister Nick Rainsford. He drew the vision against a changing background of an ageing population with more people aged over 65 than under 16, the rapid growth of one person households and technology developments. 

Chancellor Gordon Brown, in his Budget Statement, revealed how the Prime Minister’s vision of a transformed Civil Service outlined in a speech last month is to be put into effect. All central departments are to cut their budgets by 5% by 2008 and this will result in running costs being reduced to 3.7% compared to the 1990s average of 5.7%. 

This paper is a response from the Local Government Association to Kate Barker’s report on housing supply. Publication of the Barker report provides an opportunity to take a fresh look at how charges on land development can be paid locally so that community services don’t bear the burden unaided. New development puts pressure on roads, schools, health and other local facilities and the Association wants to see money from the increase in land value ploughed back into these services.