By Michael BallThe problems created by the partnership approach to urban deprivation could outweigh the benefits, according to research sponsored by the ESRC and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Bringing together the private and voluntary sectors, local community groups and various central and local government agencies in urban regeneration partnerships can sometimes work well. However, it can also raise a host of issues about trust, leadership, costs, and having too many unproductive meetings. In this report the author explores the difficulties of co-operation between such diverse groups.

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The integrated approach to education, day care, social support and adult learning for children from 0 – 5 could have applications elsewhere in the school system. An inspection of Early Excellence Centres by Ofsted found that the model which brings together parental and carer involvement in the education and care of children, combined with support services for children, parents and carers, delivers excellent results. The first Early Excellence Centres were established in the late 1990s. They were an innovative development providing full day care for babies and young children under 3 years including sessional care such as playgroups, crèches, before- and after-school care, such as an extended day for nursery children or for primary age children from local schools.The Ofsted report reveals growing evidence that the increased childcare facilities are having a positive effect on reducing the effects of child poverty in some communities. This results partly from the support that allows parents to return to work and partly from the provision of adult and other courses for parents and carers. The Ofsted inspectors found that there was positive action to promote social inclusion, equal opportunities and race equality.

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E-procurement is emerging as a key feature of the modernisation agenda in local government. It is estimated that councils could collectively save over one billion pounds each year on the costs of goods and services.The latest development is the appointment of a team of private sector consultants who will give direct support to councils to help develop e-procurement plans. Portsmouth City Council, the lead authority in the National e-Procurement Project, has issued a notice inviting suitably experienced organisations to tender for the consultancy work. Responses are required by 3 September 2004.

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