e-Government is steadily becoming a reality across public services, but the key issue which is emerging is not technology but take-up. This article explains how Doncaster Borough Council has created an electronic housing management service with a range of on-line facilities for its tenants. Although many tenants benefit indirectly because the system is used by staff to respond more rapidly to callers, there has been a slow take-up on line. The Doncaster experience highlights the take-up issue and puts the focus on access and marketing.

Thirty per cent of public sector training managers reported that their training budget had decreased last year as compared to 27% in the private sector. The disparity between the sectors becomes more pronounced in expectations for next year. In the public sector 26% of managers expect the budget to decrease compared to only 17% in the private sector. Private sector investment in training is being fuelled by fears of skills shortages. 

Special prosecutors to handle anti social behaviour cases and tougher procedures for collecting fines from people who persistently refuse to pay up for criminal offences such as vandalism, complete the loop of measures to target low level crime. The measures are an important step as they close the circle that starts out on the streets and ends in the courts.