This report from the Society of IT Management shows how councils can use technology to achieve transformational change and reap the sort of efficiency gains anticipated in the Efficiency Review. It advocates using the Review as a mechanism to prioritise work and select projects which will lead to transformation in local services. The case studies in the report show that local authorities do not need to set up new programmes to meet efficiency targets.The report also says that if properly focused, investment in e-government programmes will support business transformation in local public services. It sets out opportunities for councils to make better and more effective use of technology. They include encouraging the public to use self-service options, streamlining corporate and support services by using business process re-design, supporting new ways of working such as mobile and home working, and committing to e-procurement practices.

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A new service has been launched to use digital entertainment and games technology to bring information to local communities across Britain. The ‘mylocal’ system will be running on 7,000 kiosks by the end of this year and that number is set to almost treble by the end of 2006.The system, developed by Inspired Broadcast Networks, provides access to Directgov, which offers users a wide range of Government information and services. It is being expanded and will soon also offer local maps, a business directory, news and weather as well as local information, all free of charge.

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A leading insurance company has launched a practical educational aid designed to raise awareness of the huge cost of fires in schools. The Arson Combated Together kit is being provided free to fire services throughout the UK by Zurich Municipal, which has announced that the cost of schools fires increased by 13 per cent in 2004.The company, the country’s leading education insurer and risk management provider, developed the kit to raise awareness among both pupils and teachers and has decided to make it generally available following a 50 per cent increase in requests for it in the last month.

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By H Spandler and N Vick Making direct payments to people with mental health problems so they can choose the support they need, offers greater independence and flexibility and facilitates social inclusion. The authors looked at the reasons for the very low take up, despite the attractions offered. They found that implementation was unplanned, ad hoc and opportunistic and suggest what needs to be done to boost direct payments take-up.