Archives for January 17th, 2005

IMPROVING FROM WITHIN

Abstracts, PublicNet: 17 January, 2005

This survey of district council’s views on Comprehensive Performance Assessment was commissioned by the Local Government Association and carried out by MORI. The CPA has been extended beyond the larger councils to include all 283 district councils. This interim survey collected the views of chief executives and leaders in some three quarters of district councils.The people surveyed believe that CPA gives a good overall picture of how their council is performing and many find the corporate assessment element and self assessment process very useful. There is a warning that views are coloured by the score the council achieved. Concerns were expressed about the quality of the inspections and the ability of inspectors to arrive at fair judgement which is based on sound evidence. Opinion is divided on whether or not the final judgement reflected the views of local people or that it took full account of local circumstances.

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BIGGER REWARDS AT THE TOP OF FINANCE DEPARTMENTS

Headlines, PublicNet: 17 January, 2005

As public bodies continue to move away from national pay bargaining, top accountants are receiving above-inflation salary increases. According to a survey from Hays Accountancy & Finance Public Services Salary Guide 2004, average salaries for finance directors in higher education institutes increased by 6% in a year to 72,083 pounds and those in larger housing associations by 4.1% to 68,250 pounds. In the NHS, senior finance salaries in Acute Trusts and larger Primary Care Trusts are also showing healthy growth; with the average pay for a finance director at a larger Acute Trust reaching 86,955 pounds.In contrast, central government salaries are lagging behind, with the average finance director salary only increasing 1.4% to 67,625 pounds. This is expected to change as the Gershon Efficiency Review starts to bite and the recommended professionalisation of financial decision-making in the civil service takes effect. Departments will need better and more effective accountants and finance directors. The Government’s modernisation agenda will also place greater emphasis on accountants who can demonstrate that they can drive efficiency and gain added value from available resources. Skilled management accountants, particularly those who have a commercial outlook, will be able to command higher salaries.

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FAST TRACK SURGERY FROM PRIVATE SECTOR TO CUT WAITING TIME

Headlines, PublicNet: 17 January, 2005

Contracts worth 223 million pounds have been signed with independent sector suppliers to provide 55,000 more operations. The new services will be provided at treatment centres in the north west and midlands. Treatment will be funded by the NHS and will be free to patients.The centres will carry out relatively simple but highly demanded procedures ranging from general surgery, gynaecology, ophthalmology, through to orthopaedics and joint replacements. Because the procedures do not require complex facilities they are a cost effective alternative to building new expensive operating theatres. Although some staff will move the from the NHS, the majority will come from elsewhere. The first of the new centres will come into service shortly and the programme will by completed in 2006.

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